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. IV. SERPENT-LIKE FALLING of the HAIR.

I. IT is called in Greek, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. in Latin, Area, & Ophiasis, à figura; quòd partes glabrae & Pilis destitutae, tor∣tuosae instar Serpentum videntur: in English, a Serpent-like Shed∣ding of the Hair.

II. It is so called from its figure, because that the bald and smooth parts destitute of Hair, are writhed like a Serpent. It be∣gins on the hind-part of the Head, and not exceeding the bredth of two fingers; it creeps towards the Ears, and in some as far as the Forehead, till the two heads meet before: chiefly haunting Infants, and such as are young.

III. In Ophiasis, not only the roots of the Hair, but even the Skin it self is eaten and gnawn through; viz. as deep as the roots of the Hair.

IV. The Causes. The are, in part, the same with the former; and according to Galen, these Diseases follow a depraved Nu∣trition of the Skin of the Head; which if it be in abundance, it eats equally alike thro' the Hair, in many, and greater places; but if less, and mixed with a corrosive Humor, it makes an Ophiasis.

V. The more remote Causes are said to be the heat of the Liver and Head, especially the faults of the first and second Concoction, whence salt and sharp Humors are generated; which tho' they may happen in every Age, yet they generally after Childhood and Youth; sometimes follow∣ing Tinea, Achor, and Favus.

VI. The Signs. It is known by its form, and its creeping along, as before described, with an Ex∣coriation of the Skin; the very colour of it being also changed; and in some it appears more whitish, in some more pale, and in others more black; and if it be pricked, there flows forth a serous, whitish Blood.

VII. The Differences. Alopecia and Ophiasis differ from Tinea in this: the first is without Exco∣riation; Ophiasis is with a simple Excoriation of the Skin, and when cured, the Hair grows again; but in Tinea, the Exco∣riation and Ulceration is deeper, and the Skin is many times so corrupted and spoiled, that the Hair never returns any more.

VIII. As to the Signs of the Causes, the Skin it self shows what Humor it is that offends; which is seen by cutting, or shaving away some of the remaining Hair, and rubbing it gently: the Hair also that grows anew, by its colour will shew what Humor abounds, and is cause of the Disease.

IX. The Prognosticks. They are almost the same with Alo∣pecia, to which you are referred; but Ophiasis is thought by some, to be the greater Dis∣ease, and so the more difficult to cure.

X. It is commonly curable, if it follows Porrigo, or Tinea: but if it proceeds from the Leprosy, which sometimes accompanies it, it is altogether uncurable; and if it be from the Pox, not till the Disease it self be re∣moved.

XI. The Cure. First, institute such a Diet as may breed good Blood, and prevent the increase of bad Humors; abstaining from plentiful drinking of Wines, but especially from all French Wines.

XII. Then let the Body be pre∣pared and purged with fit Me∣dicines, according to the nature of the Humor pecant: and a particular Evacuation of the Head by Apophlegmatisms, and solid Errhines at the Nostrils, are exceeding good.

XIII. While the Disease is recent, and not confirmed, both Galen and Avicen advise to use Repellers: but otherwise, abso∣lutely to abstain from them, and to use Digestives, which are of hot and thin parts, yet not greatly drying; with which you ought to mix things cold and moist.

XIV. If there remains any Hairs that are corrupted, they are to be pulled out with an Instrument called the Volsella, or with a Dropacism; or such as we mention, (ad Porriginem) in Our Doron, lib. 3. cap. 7. sect. 1. and at sect. 32.

XV. Then wash the Head with a Lye, wherein Maidenhair, Southernwood, and the like have been boiled: after use Frictions with course cloths, till the place is red: and lastly, apply proper Topicks.

XVI. Such like Medicaments are Mustard-seed, Cresses, white Lilly-roots; which (as it is affirmed) will restore Hair to places that have lost them by burning or scalding.

XVII. To these add, Rocket-seed, Nitre, Oil of Bays, liquid Pitch, Sulphur, pouder and ashes of Southernwood, roots of Sowbread, Hellebor, seeds of Stavesacre, Doves dung: add these also, (which are the strongest of all) Thapsia, (by some called Turbith) and Eu∣phorbium.

XVIII. Now you must note, That these Medicines now men∣tioned, are not to be used in all kinds of Area, or at all times, or in any manner, or to all ages; but unto each, such as are fit and proper: for each Medica∣ment hath its due time and manner of use.

XIX. While the Disease is recent, use the weaker sort; so also to Children, Women, and soft and delicate Bodies: but if it be inveterate, or in such as are of full age, or in Men, or such as are of hard and strong Bodies, you may use the stronger.

XX. Galen commends this: ℞ Ashes of the Greek-reed ℥ ss. ashes of a Hedg-hog ʒ j. Mouse-dung ʒ ij. bruise, and mix with Vinegar; and anoint therewith. Or, ℞ Reed-ashes, Goats-hair burnt, Maidenhair, Bears-fat, liquid Pitch, Rosin of the Cedar, ana: mix them. This he calls the Admirable Remedy.

XXI. Or, ℞ Mice burnt, Linen-cloth burnt, Horse-teeth burnt, Bears-fat, Marrow of a Hart, Reed-ashes, ana: Honey, q.s. mix them. Or this, which is the strongest of all. ℞ Eu∣phorbium, Thapsia, Oil of Bays, a. ʒ ij. Sulphur vive, Hellebor, white and black, a. ʒ j. Wax ʒ vj. softned with Oil of Bays, old Oil, or Tar: mix them; to be used, the Disease being inveterate.

XXII. For Children and Wo∣men use this: ℞ Reed-roots burnt, Southernwood, ana; Bears∣fat, or old Oil of Bays, or liquid Pitch, enough to make an Oint∣ment, Or, ℞ Southernwood, ashes of Reed-roots, Frankincense, and; Bears-fat q.s. make an Ointment.

XXIII. If you would have it stronger, add Sulphur vive, Bulls∣gall, Rocket-seed, Nitre, or even Thapsia it self. Bears-grease helps by a secret property; of which, with the Hairs of a Bear burnt, Oil of the Mastich∣tree, and the things before named, you may make an Oint∣ment.

XXIV. But in the use of the stronger sorts of Medicaments, you must observe, That in the Beginning, the more liquid, and softer Medicines may be used: looking always after each ap∣plication, what alteration it has made in the part affected; and so, as need requires, to make it stronger, or weaker.

XXV. This alteration is seen, by observing whether the Skin is made red, or not: for you must be cautious, that the Skin be not burnt thro', by the too often repeated use of the stronger Remedies.

XXVI. Also observe, that if the Hair be not shaved off, that Medicines of soft, and of a more liquid form, as Washes, Lini∣ments, Unguents, &c. will be best to be used: but if it be wholly shaved off, then Medi∣cines of a more solid form, as Emplasters, Cerats, are to be applied.

XXVII. The weaker Medi∣cines may be kept on the part, night and day, the better to exert their strength and Virtue: but the stronger sort, are only to be kept on so long, till they cause

some alteration in the Skin, or cause some kind of pain; and therefore the place affected is to be viewed once or twice a day.

XXVIII. And if they have strongly affected the place, you must then return to the milder sort of them; and the part is to be anointed with Goose-fat, alone, or mixed with Tar, or Bears-Oil, which is a Speci∣fick.

XXIX. 'Tis certain, that the stronger Medicaments being kept too long on, they will burn the Skin; and Christopher à Vega saith, he had seen many, who by the use of over-strong Medi∣cines in this case, were made incurable, or made perpetually bald.