CHAP. XIX. Of the Paronychia.
THe Paronychia or Panaris is a tumor in the ends of the fingers, with great inflammation, coming of a malign and venemous humor, which from the Bones by the Periosteum is com∣municated to the Tendons and Nerves of that part which it affecteth, whereof cruel symptoms do follow, as pulsifique pain, a Feaver, restlesness, so that the affected through impati∣ency of the pain are variously agitated like those tormented with Carbuncles: for which cause Guido and Johannes de Vigo judge this disease to be mortal; wherefore you must provide a skilful Physitian for the cure of this Disease, which may appoint convenient diet, purging and bloud-letting. In the mean time the Chirurgeon shall make way for the virulent and venenate matter, by making Incision in the inner part of the finger, even to the Bone alongst the first joint thereof; for Vigo saith, there is not a presenter remedy, if so be that it be quickly done, and before the matu∣ration of the matter; for it vindicates the Finger from the corruption of the Bone and Nerves, and asswages pain, which I have often and happily tryed immediately at the beginning, before the perfect impression of the virulency.
But the wound being made, you must suffer it to bleed well, then presently let him dip his finger in strong and warm Vinegar, in which some Treacle being dissolved may draw forth the virulen∣cy. But to appease the pain, the same remedies must be applyed to the affected part as are used in Carbuncles, as the leaves of Sorrel, Henbane, Hemlock, Mandrake roasted under the Embers and beaten in a Mortar with new Unguentum Populeon, or Oyl of Roses, or new Butter without Salt: for such like medicines also help forward suppuration: whilst by their coldness, they re∣press the extraneous heat affecting the part; and so strengthen the native heat being the author of suppuration: which reason moved the ancient Physitians to use such medicines in a Carbuncle: but if by reason of the fearfulness of the Patient, or unskilfulness of the Chirurgeon, no Incisi∣on being made, a Gangrene and Sphacel shall possess the part, it remains that you cut off with your cutting Mullets as much of the part as shall be corrupt, and perform the rest of the cure ac∣cording to Art. Yet it doth not seldom happen, that there may be no need to cut off such a finger, because it being corrupted together with the Bone by little and little dissolves into a purulent or rather sanious or much stinking filth. But in this affect there is often caused an Eschar by the adu∣stion of putredinous heat, and superfluous flesh indued with most exquisite sense groweth under∣neath it, which must in like manner be cut off with the Mullets, that the part may receive comfort, the pain being asswaged by the copious effusion of Bloud.