CHAP. XVI. Of Epuloticks, or skinning medicines.
AN Epulotick medicine is that which covereth the part with skin: it is said to be such as by driness and astriction without biting desiccates, binds and condensates the flesh into a certain callous substance, like to the skin, which we commonly call a cicatrize or scar: yet this, as the generation of flesh, is the work of nature. A medicine therefore is said to be E∣pulotick, for that it assists nature in substituting and generating a scar, in stead of the true skin, whilst it consumes the superfluous humidities, condensates, incrassates, and bindes the next adjacent flesh; therefore it ought to dry more powerfully than a sarcotick.* 1.1 Epulotick medicines are of three kindes, the first is the true epulotick, which only dries and bindes. The second is an acrid and biting epulotick, which, for that it wastes the proud flesh, is called so; and this must be sparing∣ly used, and that only to hard and rustick bodies. The third is that which only dries without aftric∣tion. The things whereof they consist are these: Aristolochia utraque, gentiana, iris, centaurium majus, pentaphyllon, symphytum majus, chamaedris, betonica, cauda equina, eupatorium, verbenaca, plantaginis & symphiti folia, gallae, baccae myrti, glandes & earum calices, balaustia, cupres∣si nuces, malicorium, cortex quercûs, cortex tamaricis, cortex ligni aloes, acacia, colophonia, sarcocolla, san∣guis draconis, ladanum, lithargyros, auri, argenti, cerussa, plumbum ustum, alumen ustum, ruthia, squam∣ma aeris & ferri, & eorum scoriae, aerugo. flos aeris aes ustum & lotum, sulphur vivum, chrysocolla, coralli, bolus armenus, terra sigillata, cineres buccenarum, ostreorum, silicis, ossae usta et siccata, caries lignorum, ung. diapompholygos, ung. alb. Rhasis, desiccativum rubrum, emp. de cerussa, de betonica, diacalcitheos, emp. ni∣grum.
We use Epuloticks when as the ulcer is almost filled up, and equal to the adjacent skin.* 1.2 In the use of these we must alwaies have respect to the tenderness and hardness of the body, for such things as are corrosives to tender and delicate bodies, are epulotick to hard and rustick bodies. Al∣so we have much regard, whether the body be plethotick or replete with ill humors, for such do not easily admit cicatrization. Also it is most worthy of your observation, to mark whether the ulcer that is to be cicatrized, be fed or nourished by the present defect of any part, as the liver, spleen, lungs, or a varix lying about it. For it cannot be cicatrized before these impediments (if any such be) be taken away. Lastly, the callous lips of an ulcer, unless they be scarified or softened, hinder cicatrization. Therefore all such defaults must be taken away, and then such an Epulotick applyed, as may not by the too much driness leave the scar too hollow, or the too lit∣tle, leave it too high.