CHAP. VIII. Of the pain which happens upon Wounds.
THe pains which follow upon wounds ought to be quickly asswaged,* 1.1 because nothing so quick∣ly dejects the powers, and it alwaies causes a defluxion, of how good soever a habit and temper the body be of; for Nature ready to yeeld assistance to the wounded part, alwaies sends more humors to it, than are needful for the nourishment thereof, whereby it comes to passe that the defluxion is easily increased, either by the quantity, or quality, or by both.
Therefore to take away this pain, the author of deflux on,* 1.2 let such medicines be applyed to the part as have a repelling and mitigating faculty; as ℞. Olei Myrtili, & Rosarum, ana ℥ ij, Cerae alb. ℥ i, Farinae hordei, ℥ ss, Boli armeni, & terrae sigillat. ana. ʒ vj. Melt the Wax in the oyls, then in∣corporate all the rest, and according to Art, make a medicine to be applyed about the part▪ or ℞ Emplast. Diacalcith. ℥ iv, Ole. Rosar. & aceti, ana ℥ ss, liquefiant simul, and let a medicine be made for the fore-mentioned use. Irrigations of oyl of Roses and Myrtiles, with the white of an Egge, or a whole Egge added thereto, may serve for lenitives, if there be no great inflam∣mation; Rowlers and double cloaths moystened in Oxcycrate, will be also convenient for the same purpose. But the force of such medicines must be often renewed, for when they are dryed, they augment the pain. But if the pain yeeld not to these, we must come to narcotick Medicines, such as are the Oyl of Poppy, of Mandrake, a cataplasm of Henbane and Sorrel, adding there∣to Mallows and Marsh-mallows, of which we spoke formerly in treating of a Phlegmon.
Lastly, we must give heed to the cause of the pain, to the kind and nature of the humor that flows down, and to the way which nature affects: for according to the variety of these things, the Medicines must be varied, as if heat cause pain, it will be asswaged by application of cooling things; and the like reason observed in the contrary: If Nature intend suppuration, you must help forwards its indeavours with suppurating medicines.