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CHAP. XVIII. Of Pyroticks, or caustick Medicines.
* 1.1THat medicine is said to be Pyrotick or Caustick, which by its acrimony and biting, com∣monly consisting in an earthy consistence, either superficially corrodes, or more deeply eats and putrifies, or lastly, burns and consumes the skin and flesh, so that it even pierces into callous and hard bodies. Therefore there are three degrees of Pyroticks; for some are term∣ed cathaeretick or corroding, for that they waste the proud flesh of an ulcerated or any other part, and these are judged the weaker sort of Pyroticks. Othersome are termed Septick or putrifying, as those which destroy and dissolve the tender and new-sprung up flesh, and raise blisters in the skin, and these are more powerful then the chathaereticks. Lastly, there are othersome termed most powerful Escharoticks, which by their fierie and terrestrial quality cause eschars or crusts; where∣upon they are also termed Ruptoria, and potential Cauteries: Now all these differences are taken from that they are more or less powerful. For it oft-times happens, that according to the diffe∣rent temper and consistence of the parts, according to the longer or shorter stay, a Cathaeretick may penetrate as far as a Septick, and on the contrary, an Escharotick may enter no farther then a Septick.
* 1.2These are judged Cathaereticks, Spongia usta, alumen ustum & non ustum, vitriolum ustum, calx mediocriter lota, aerugo, chalcanthum, squamma aeris, oleum de vitriolo, trochisci andronis, phasionis, as∣phodelorum, ung. Aegyptiacum, apostolorum, pulvis mercurii, arsenicum sublimatum.
* 1.3Septicks and Vesicatories are, Radix scillae, bryoniae, sigill. beatae Mariae. buglossa, radix ranunculi, panis porcini, apium, risus, lac titbymallorum, lac fici••euphorbium, anacardus-sinapi, cantharides, arsenicum sublimatum: For all these weaken the native temper and consistence of the part, and draw there∣unto humors plainly contrary to nature.
* 1.4Escharoticks or Causticks are Calx viva, fax vini cremata, & praecipuè aceti, ignis, whereto are referred all Cauteries as well actual as potential, whereof we shall treat hereafter.
* 1.5We use Cathaereticks in tender bodies and diseases not very contumacious; therefore by how much they are less acrid and painful, by so much oft-times they penetrate the deeper, for that they are less troublesome by delay; but we use Septicks, and sometimes Escharoticks in ulcers that are callous, putrid, and of unexhausted humidity, but principally in cancers, carbuncles, and excessive haemorrhagies. When as we make use of these, the patient must have a convenient diet appointed, must abstain from wine; lastly, they must not be used but with discretion; for otherwise they may cause fevers, great inflammations, intolerable pains, swounings, gangreens, and sphacels. Caute∣ries heedfully used, strengthen and dry the part, amend an untameable distemper, dull the force of poison, bridle putrefaction and mortification, and bring sundry other benefits.