CHAP. XIX. Of an Infirmitie that cometh on the fingers ends, and in the feet, under the nails, and the cure•• of it.
MAny men are greatly troubled herewith, and in such man∣ner, as thereby they are made altogether unfit to goe. It cometh on the great toe, under the nail, or the side of the nail for the most part; and a man would thinke that the nail grew in the flesh, but it is not so, for the flesh groweth upon the nail; though this infirmitie appear not to be a thing of great Importance (whereof the ancient writers have made little mention) yet is it a thing greatly to be regarded. For many great personages that live easily, and are tormented with the gout, have also this grief in those parts, but the order to cure them is this. First, you shall cut the naile on that part where it most grieveth them; then take it away, which you may doe easily without any great pain to the Patient: for the nail is already separated from the grieved place. Thus when the naile is taken away, touch it with our Causticke, whereof mention is made in our Treatise of the plague. Let it so re∣main three daies together, then dresse it every day with Magno liquore untill it be whole, which will be in a very short time.