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 ...

CHAP. II. FALLING of the HAIR.

I. IT is called in Greek, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. in Latin, Defluvium Pilorum; in English, the Falling of the Hair.

II. The kinds. It is either Preternatural, or Natural.

III. The Preternatural is three∣fold. 1. Defluvium: 2. Alo∣pecia: 3. Ophiasis. There is indeed in all these, a falling off of the Hair, and so in general they might be comprehended under the title of Defluvium; but custom and use has so far prevailed, that the name Deflu∣vium is specially taken for the Shedding of the Hair, which we shall here speak of.

IV. The Natural Falling of the Hair, is that which is occasioned thro Age; and this is called Calvities, Baldness.

V. The Causes. They are seve∣ral: either the want of Nourish∣ment, or the malignity of Humors corroding the roots of the Hair: both which Causes have place in such as are Phthisical, or afflicted with malign Fevers; or from the thinness of the Skin, not able to contain the nourishment.

VI. Or it may come from the taking of Poison; and then some∣times both Skin and Nails fall off also: Or lastly, from cor∣rupted Humors in the French-Pox; which very often pro∣duce this effect.

VII. The Signs. It is known at sight, by the continual shedding of the Hair; but is distinguished from Alopecia, Ophiasis, and Calvities, from the different manner of falling: for in this the Hair falls off not only in the Head, but in all parts of the Body equally; sometimes more, and sometimes less.

VIII. The Signs of the Causes, may be known from what has been said before: If Sickness went before, for want of nourishment; if sharp Humors abounded, it may be from them; but if Cause rarifying the Skin pre∣ceded, as Heat of the ambi∣ent Air, it then indeed pro∣ceeds from the thinness of the Skin.

IX. The Prognosticks. A De∣fluvium of the Hair is not difficult to cure, unless the Cause is that which cannot be removed. If it happens after acute and ma∣lign Fevers, (in which the Skin has not contracted any preter∣natural disposition) it is easily cured: for the Disease being cured, nourishment is again supplied, and the Hair is re∣stored, for the most part, with∣out the help of any Medi∣cine.

X. But happening in a Phthisis, it is of difficult cure: for the falling of the Hair in Consum∣ptions, is a sign of Death.

X. If the falling away is by reason of the thinness of the Skin, then it is restored without any great trouble, by the use of such Medicines which thicken.

XII. The Cure. The Cure de∣pends upon taking away the Cause. If therefore the Defluvium is from want of Nourishment, you must use Frictions to the part, and give things which breed Nourishment, and endeavour that it may be attracted to the Skin of the Head.

XIII. Inwardly, give every night going to bed, ℈ ss. of Our Theriaca Chymica; and every morning fasting, à ℈ j. ad ʒ ss. of pouder of Vipers flesh: for these breed Hair again by a

specifick property, rubbing the Head daily with Onions.

XIV. If it be from malign or depraved Humors, supplied from several parts of the Body; you may evacuate, according to the strength of the Patient: either with Pilulae Catholicae, or Tin∣ctura Cathartica; but chiefly with Sal Mirabile.

XV. But if the Humor lies only at the roots of the Hair, then it ought to be discussed, 1. By Friction; because it not only helps to discuss, by opening the Pores, but attracts too Nutri∣ment to the Head; and also strengthens and thickens the Skin.

XVI. 2. By application of Discussive Medicaments to the Head; for which purpose, a De∣coction of Elm-tree-bark and Bur-dock-roots, in Lye of Broom-ashes, is of singular use.

XVII. In the first case, where it is caused for want of Nutriment, besides the Medicines mentioned at Sect. 12. above, you ought to take care for a good nourishing course of Diet, that thereby a sufficient quantity of good Blood may be generated: and before any of the Topicks, Fri∣ctions or Rubbings are often to be used; for the attracting of the same Nutriment.

XVIII. In the second case, if it be from the depravity of evil Humors, the Evacuations being made, Discussives, as was said, are to be applied; yet they ought to be moderate, lest they dissipate the Aliment, and ren∣der the Skin thin: and there∣fore if Ointments are used, Labdanum may well be mixed therewith.

XIX. If it be caused from the thinness of the Skin, you must use things which condense and thicken: Oil of Myrtles, Bears or Vipers Grease, either alone, or mixed with Labda∣num, is commended; so also Labdanum dissolved in Wine, to wash with.

XX. And indeed, Labdanum is good in all sorts of Fallings-off of the Hair: but because it is too thick to be used of it self, it ought to be mixed with some thinner Body, as Oil or Wine, &c.

XXI. But if greasy and oily things are refused, Lotions may be used; made of Southernwood, Lavender-cotton, Maidenhair, golden Maidenhair, herb Ma∣stich, Sage, Rosemary, Labda∣num, &c. roots of Reed, sharp∣pointed Dock, Bur-dock, Asa∣rabacca: also Honey, Ashes of Bees, Wasps, Hornets, Flies, Moles, Mice, &c.

XXII. An Oil against Falling of the Hair. ℞ Southernwood, Lavender-cotton, Sage, Worm∣wood, Myrtle, a. M j. Oil, Wine, a. lbj ss. Bears-oil, juice of Mullein, a. lbj. Honey lbss. mix, and boil to the consumption of the Wine; then press out the Oil, and adding to it a sixth part of Labdanum: keep it for use, to anoint with.

XXIII. A Wash against Falling of the Hair. Take Southernwood, Lavender-cotton, Mullein, Maidenhair, Bur-dock-roots, a. ʒ viij. Water lbx. boil to one half, then strain out,

and add to it, Aqua Mellis lbij. Spirit of Wine lbss. mix them: with which wash two or three times a day.