Nine books of physick and chirurgery written by that great and learned physitian, Dr Sennertus. The first five being his Institutions of the whole body of physick: the other four of fevers and agues: with their differences, signs, and cures.

CHAP I. Of Chyrurgery in generall.

AFter we have spoken of the faculties of the medi∣cines, it remains that now we speake of Chyrurgery, and that we propound all the operations, which are made by the hand, and Chyrurgicall instruments, in mans body, for the recovering of healths sake, we will pro∣pound the operations which often are the matter of helpe. * 1.1

But although the word Chyrurgery, which signifies manuell operation, may be taken of all actions, which are done by the hand, yet according to Preheminency, tis taken for that part of Physick, in particular, which by the artificiall use of the hand, cures diseases of mans body, which are con∣trary to nature, and so Chyrurgery is imployed only in the externall parts of the body, and exercised in those internall parts also to which the hand, and Chyrurgicall instruments can reach.

Sith hence three things are required to performe an action, the Agent, the Subject patient, and those things by which

the action is made, in Chyrurgery also, these three are to be considered, * 1.2 the Agent, is the Chyurgeon, which Celsus in his seventh Book, and the beginning of that Book thus des∣cribes, a Chyrurgeon ought to be a young man, or a middle aged man, with a strong hand, stable and never shaking, and as ready with his left hand as with his right, sharpe, quick and cleere sighted, not daunted in courage, not pittifull, as he is willing to cure, whom he takes in hand, one that may not by the clamour hasten his motion more then the matter re∣quires, nor losse then is necessary, let him cut, but let him performe all things, as if no others paine could trouble him by their crying.

The subject is mans body, * 1.3 the knowledge exactly wher of, and the figure of every part, and their scituation, and con∣coction is required in a Chyrurgeon, which often defection of bodyes will bring forth.

Those things by which an action is performed, are instru∣ments; and some other things are necessary for perfor∣mance of operations, as the place, light, garments, Servants, standers by.

The Instruments are various, * 1.4 yet the cheife are, an in∣cission knife, a Pen-knife, a paire of Tongs, an instrument to pluck haire from the body by the Rootes, called vossella, a Probe, a broad Probe, a Seaton needle, a Needle, Threed, a Hooke, a little hollow Instrument of Chyrurgeons, boared, a Phillet, Swathing-bands, Clouts, and little rags, Lint, Sponge.

The place is to be chosen, * 1.5 which is most commodious for Chyrurgicall operations, and wherein the sick may not be hurt, by wind, cold, heate, or any externall accident.

The light whether it be that of the Sun, * 1.6 or some other, ought to be such, that the Chyrurgeon may accurately dis∣cerne that part, which he dresseth, least he should offend himselfe or the patient.

The Servants, * 1.7 and standers by ought not to be displeasing and troublesome to the sick, but ought to be attentive to the commands of the Chyrurgeon, silent, and which is their duty, faithfull to performe his dictates.

The garments of the Chyrurgeon ought to be so made, * 1.8 that they may no way hinder him in his operation.

The Chyrurgeon himselfe ought to endeavour as much as in him lyeth, to performe his operation presentsy, safely, and with delight, and as much as possible without paine.

All the Chyrurgicall operations are five, * 1.9 a putting toge∣ther or conjunction of seperated parts, a correcting and set∣ting right of those things which are out of joynt, or out of their place, a Solution of continuity, an Extirpation, or cut∣ting off of Superfluities, and a Restitution of deficiencies, of which now in their order.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Chyrurge∣rys what.
• * 1.2

  Discription of a Chy∣rurgeon.
• * 1.3

  The sub∣ject.
• * 1.4

  Instru∣ments.
• * 1.5

  Place.
• * 1.6

  Light.
• * 1.7

  Servants and stan∣ders by.
• * 1.8

  Garments.
• * 1.9

  Chyrurgi∣call opera∣tions how many.