Ars chirurgica a compendium of the theory and practice of chirurgery in seven books ... shewing the names, causes, signs, differences, prognosticks, and various intentions of curing all kinds of chirurgick diseases ... : to which is added Pharmacopoeia chirurgica, or, The medical store, Latin and English ... / by William Salmon ...

II. Fontanels, or Issues.

XI. An Issue is a little Ʋlcer made by Art, in a sound part of the Body, by a red hot Iron, Lancet, Scissars, or corrosive Medicine, to evacuate superfluous Hu∣mours, and so either to Prevent, or Cure Diseases.

XII. Let them be made be∣tween the Muscles, not in the be∣ginning, middle, nor end of a Mus∣cle: If you make an Issue in the Head, let it be in the middle of the Coronal Suture: In the Neck, between the Shoulders: If on the Arm, about the middle space between the Shoulder and Elbow, towards the outside.

XIII. If on the Thighs, let it be on the inside, two or three Fin∣gers breadth above the Knee; if on the Leg, as much below the Knee.

XIV. The way of doing of it, is by Incision, Caustick, or Burning.

1. By Incision. Take up the Skin on both sides, either with a pair of Forceps, or your Hand; which done, divide it in the place you intend, (first marked with Ink) with a Lancet, Inci∣sion-knife, or a pair of Scissars.

XV. 2. By Caustick. The place being first marked with Ink, apply a Plaster, with a hole in the middle over it, in which hole put the Caustick, over the place mark∣ed; over which lay another Pla∣ster: After three or four Hours take off the Emplasters and Cau∣sticks, and apply on the Escar a Plaster of Diapalma, dressing it twice a day, that it may the sooner separate.

XVI. For a Caustick, you may use Lapis Infernalis (in our Phar∣mac. Londinensis, Lib. 3. Cap. 11. Sect. 102.) or that made of Silver (at Sect. 20. Cap. 2. Lib. 3. of the said Book.)

XVII. 3. By Burning. Ap∣ply the Cautery red hot, yet so, as that the Skin be not wholly pene∣trated, lest you hurt too much the subjacent Muscle; after remove the Escar, as before. The Escar be∣ing fallen, take little hard Dos∣sels made of Lint, upon which spread some detersive Medicine, and press them into the Ulcer, till they have made some Im∣pression, then put into the hole a little Ball of Wood, Wax, El∣der pith, Silver, or a Pea, &c. which are often to be taken out, and renewed continually, till the Disease be Cured, or weak∣ness hinder, applying over only green Oiled Cloth.

XVIII. If the Issue should grow up, make Balls of Gentian, Her∣modact, Orrice, &c. so may you remove the proud Flesh: A Ball made with Precipitate and white Wax, will keep it open.

XIX. If hot scalding Humours flow, apply to it Unguentum Al∣bum Camphoratum, mixt with an equal quantity of Populneum: If it smells ill, wash it often with generous Canary, mixt with an equal quantity of Rhe∣nish Wine.