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. XXV. Of WILD-FIRE.

I. IT is called in Greek, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. in Latin, Phlyctaenae, Phluctides, Phlaza∣cia, Ignis sylvestris; and in English, Blisters, or Wild-fire, or Shingles of the Lips.

II. They are litle Blisters raised in the skin of the Lips, Cheeks, or Chin, by the sharpness of Humors; and are commonly called Wild-fire.

III. The Cause. They are gene∣rally produced Critically, after an Ague, or Fever, or taking some extraordinary Cold, upon the mending of the Patient: the Disease seeming to break up, and go away by that means.

IV. And they arise from a serous and bilious Humor, which Nature sends forth to the Skin by way of Crisis, or some ex∣ternal Cause.

V. Signs. They are known, because they are Blisters like those that proceed from Scalding; and when they are broken, a yellowish Humor breaks forth.

VI. The Prognosticks. They endure not long, seldom above two or three days. They seldom hap∣pen to old people, more com∣monly to such as are young: if evilly cured, they sometimes degenerate into Herpes.

VII. The Cure. First evacuate the peccant Humor; then foment with a Decoction of Ducks-meat, Nightshade, or Purslain. Or apply an Epithem of strong Lye, made of Beech-ashes, beat up with Linseed-oil, and Oil of Walnuts, ana, which use often.

VIII. If they break not sud∣denly of their own accord, thereby causing grievous pain, prick them with a Needle, squeeze them hard, and anoint them with Oil of Cream and Housleek, or Our Oleum Refrigerans, or Our Ʋn∣guentum Album, till they are compleatly dried up.

An Appendix, concerning the Pustules of the Head.

IX. This Disease is called in Greek, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. in Latin, Psydracia; and in English, Pu∣stules of the Head. We have placed this Disease here, because it seems to be a kind of Cri∣tical Eruption like Phlyctaenae, the Part only differing.

X. Some will have this Dis∣ease to be a species of a Scald-Head, (because this kind of Pustule, always when it appears, afflicts only the Head) and de∣scribe them to be hard, whitish Pustules, which by pressing yield matter.

XI. Others, that they are little Swellings in the Head, like Pushes; or small Efflorescencies or Pustules, like unto Bladders; made and spread up and down upon the surface of the skin of the Head.

XII. The Cause. They proceed from a salt and nitrous Humor, mixed with Blood and Choler; and are one of the kinds of Scalds happening to the Head.

XIII. The Signs are evident, by the Definition; nor does this Disease threaten any danger at all.

XIV. The Cure. It is cured by these Applications, or such like: ℞ Litharge, Ceruss, a. ℥ ss. Alum, green leaves of Rue, a. ʒ ij. beat them well, and mix them with Vinegar and Oil; with which anoint.

XV. Or, ℞ Rue, Alum, ana; beat them well with Honey, and apply them to the Affect. Or you may foment the Part first with red Wine, and then anoint with Our Ʋnguentum Album; which is a thing of good use, and will in short time perfect the Cure.