The workes of that famous chirurgion Ambrose Parey translated out of Latin and compared with the French. by Tho: Johnson. Whereunto are added three tractates our of Adrianus Spigelius of the veines, arteries, & nerves, with large figures. Also a table of the bookes and chapters.

CHAP. III. Of the Signs of Wounds.

WOunds are first known by sight, and by the signs drawn from thence.* 1.1 The Chirurgeon ought first and chiefly, to consider, what Wounds are curable, and what not; what wounds will scarse admit of cure, and what may be easily cured; for it is not the part of a prudent Chirurgeon, to promise cure in a deadly or dangerous and difficult wound; lest he may seem to have killed him, whom not the unsufficiency of the Art, but the greatness of the wound hath slain.

But when the wound is dangerous, but yet without despair of recovery, it belongs to him to ad∣monish the Patient's friends which are by, of the present danger, and doubtful state of the wound, that if Art shall be overcome by the greatness thereof, he shall not be thought ignorant of the Art, neither to have deceived them.

But as this is the part and duty of a good and prudent Chirurgeon,* 1.2 so it is the trick of a cheat∣ing and jugling Knave, to enlarge small wounds, that so he may seem to have done a great cure, when it is nothing so.

But it is agreeable to reason, that the Chirurgeon professing the disease easie to be cured, will think himself in credit bound by such promises and his duty, and therefore seek all means for the quick recovery of the Patient; lest that which was of its own nature small, may by his negli∣gence become great. Therefore it is expedient, he should know what wounds are to be accounted great.

This (as Galen saith) is three ways to be known; The first is by the magnitude and principali∣ty of the part affected; for thus the wounds of the Brain, Heart, and of the greater vessels,* 1.3 though small of themselves, yet are thought great.* 1.4 Then from the greatness of the solution of con∣tinuity; for which cause wounds may be judged great, in which much of the substance of the part is lost in every dimension, though the part be one of these which are accounted servile. Then from the malignity; through which occasion the wounds of the joynts are accounted great, because for the most part they are ill conditioned.

Notes

• * 1.1

  A caution for making re∣ports of Wounds.
• * 1.2

  A Jugling cheating Chi∣rurgeon.
• * 1.3

  Lib. 4. Meth. cap. 6.1.
• * 1.4

  Wounds are called Great, out of three respects.