CHAP. XVIII. Of the cure of a flatulent and waterish Tumor.
WE shall chiefly & principally cure flatulent and waterish tumors by three means. First, by the same diet which we prescribed in an Oedema;* 1.1 then by strengthening the parts appointed for concoction, as the Stomach and Liver, chiefly by the temperate use of Aromatick things, as Diacuminum, Diacalamentha, Aromaticum, Caryophyllatum, Aromaticum Ro∣satum, and the like, to be prescribed according to the good liking of the Physitian which over-sees the cure; lastly, by taking away of the conjunct matter by hot, drying, and attenuating medicines which they call Carminative, that so the part being rarified the humor and flatulency therein contained may be discussed and dissipated. But remedies of this nature must be varyed according to the variety of the parts; for some things are fit to be aplyed to the Stomach, others to the Guts, others to the joynts, and others to the fleshy parts: for the Colick you must inject carminative clysters, let resolving Sacculi or Bags be applyed, and Cupping-glasses fastened to the Navel; if an outward part be affected, we use fomentations, liniments, chiefly if pain torment, as also Ca∣taplasms and Emplaisters, as ℞ Florum chamaem. melil. rorismarini, rosar. rub. an. p. i. absinthii ij. hyssopi, an. m. let them be boyled in Lye, adding a little Vinegar for a fomentation to be used with Spunges.
* 1.2Galen foments the part with Rose-vinegar and a little Salt put thereto, and would have a spunge dipped therein to lye somewhat long upon the part ℞ Olei chamaem. aneth. rut. & liliorum, an. ℥ ss, cerae alba ℥ vi. aq. vitae ℥ i, let them all be mixed together and make a liniment, with which anoint the part after the fomentation. ℞ Farinae fabar. crobi, an. ℥ iij, coquantur in de cocto pulegii, origani, calamenth. salviae, addita pulverum chamaem. & melilot. an. m ss, furfur. farinae. fab. & oro∣bi, an. ℥ ij, coquantur cum lixivio communi, addendo terebinth. ℥ iij, oleor. aneth. & rut. an. ℥ ij, make an emplaister for the foresaid use.
The emplaister of Vigo, with Mercury, and without, is very good for the same purpose. But you must note, that such medicines must be applyed to the part actually hot, and the same heat must be contained and renewed by putting about it linnen Clothes, Bricks, Bottles, and such like hot things.
* 1.3The humor and flatulency which were kept shut up in the part being resolved, the part must be strengthened, lest now and then it receive or generate the like matter. That may be done by the following fomentation and cataplasm. ℞ Nucum cupressi, corticum granat. sumach. berberis, ••alaust. an. ʒ i, caudae equin. arnogloss. tupsi barb. absinth. salviae, rorism. lavendul. m. ss. flor. chamaem. melil. ro∣sar. anthos, an. p. i, alum. salis com. an ℥ i, bulliant omnia in aequis partibus aquae fabrorum & vini austeri, make bags for a fomentation, or use the decoction, for the same purpose with a spunge. ℞ Farinae fab. hordei & lupin. an. ℥ ij, terebinth. commun. ℥ iiij, pulver. radicis ireos, mastic. an. ℥ ss, mellis com. ℥ ij ss, of the foresaid decoction as much as shall suffice, so to make a Capalasm to the form of a poultis liquid enough; let it be applyed hot to the affected part ha∣ving used the fomentation before.
* 1.4The signs of a waterish tumor are the same as of a flatulent; but over and besides it shines and at the pressing with your fingers, there is heard a noise or murmur as of a bladder half filled with water.
* 1.5Therefore the waterish tumor if it shall not yield to the fore-mentioned resolving medicines, the way must be opened with an Incision-Knife, after the same manner, as we mentioned in a Phlegmon. For oftentimes this kind of remedy must be necessarily used, not only by reason of the contumacy of the humor which gives no place to the resolving medicines, but also because it is shut up in its proper cist or bag, the thickness of which frustrates the force of the resolving medicines, neither suffers it to penetrate into the humor.* 1.6 As I some years ago found by experience in a maid of 7 years old; which, troubled with a Hydrocele, or waterish rupture, to whom, when I had rashly applyed to dissolve it resolving medicines of al sorts, at length I was forct to open it with my knife; not only to evacuate the contained matter, but also that I might pluck out the bag, which un∣less