CHAP. XXIV. Of Haemorrhoides.
* 1.1HAemorrhoides, as the word is usually taken, are tumors at the extremities of the veins en∣compassing the Fundament, caused by the defluxion of an humor commonly melan∣cholick,* 1.2 and representing a certain kind of Varices. Some of these run at an hole being opened, which sometimes in space of time contracts a Callus; others only swell, and cast forth no moisture; some are manifest; others lye only hid within. Those which run, common∣ly cast forth blood mixed with yellowish serous moisture, which stimulates the blood to break forth, and by its acrimony opens the mouths of the veins. But such as do not run, are either like blisters, such as happen in burns, and by practitioners are usually called vesicales, and are caused by the defluxion of a phlegmatick and serous humor; or else represent a Grape, whence they are called Uvales, generated by the afflux of blood, laudable in quality, but overabundant in quantity; or else they express the manner of a disease, whence they are termed morales, proceeding from the suppression of melancholick blood; or else they represent Warts, whence they are stiled Verrucales, enjoying the same material cause of the generation as the morales do. This affect is cause of many accidents in men;* 1.3 for the perpetual efflux of blood extinguisheth the vivid and lively colour of the face, calls on a Dropsie, overthrows the strength of the whole body. The flux of Haemorrhoides is commonly every moneth, sometimes only four times in a year. Great pain, inflammation, an Abscesse which may at length end in a Fistula, unless it be resisted by convenient remedies, do oft-times fore-run the evacuation of the Haemorrhoides. But if the Haemorrhoides flow in a moderate quantity, if the Patients brook it well, they ought not to be stayed, for that they free the Patients from the fear of eminent evils, as melancholy, leprosie,* 1.4 strangury, and the like. Besides, if they be stopped without a cause, they by their reflux into the Lungs cause their inflammation, or else break the vessels thereof; and by flowing to the Liver, cause a dropsie by the suffocation of the native heat; they cause a Dropsie and universal leanness on the contrary, if they flow immoderately, by refrigerating the Liver by loss of too much blood; wherefore when as they flow too immoderately, they must be stayed with a pledget of Hares-down dipped in the ensuing medicin.* 1.5 ℞ pul. aloes, thuris, baulast. sang. draconis, an. ℥ ss. incorporentur simul cum ovi albumine, fiat medicamentum ad usum. When they are stretched out and swoln without bleeding, it is convenient to beat an Onion roasted in the embers with an Oxes gall; and apply this medicin to the swoln places, and renew it every five hours.* 1.6 This kind of remedy is very prevalent for internal Haemorrhoides; but such as are manifest, may be opened with Horse-leaches, or a Lancet. The juice or mass of the hearb called commonly Dead-nettle or Arch-angel, applyed to the swoln Haemorrhoides, opens them, and makes the congealed blood flow there-hence. The Fungus and Thymus, being diseases about the Fundament, are cured by the same remedy. If acrimony, heat and pain, do too cruelly afflict the Patient, you must make him enter into a bath, and presently after apply to the Ulcers (if any such be) this following remedy. ℞ Olei ros. ℥ iiij. cerusae ℥ i. Litharg. ℥ ss. cerae novae, ʒ vj. opii ℈ j. fiat unguent. secundum artem. Or else, ℞ thuris, myrrhae, croci, an. ʒ j. opii ℈ j. fiat unguentum cum oleo rosarum & mucilagine sem. psillii, addendo vitellum unius ovi. You may easily prosecute the residue of the cure according to the general rules of Art.