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 ...

I. Of Biting of Wild-Beasts, and Human-kind.

V. We intend to treat of those Wounds here which are made by the biting of Human-kind, and of Beasts in their own nature not Venemous; as of an Ass, Ape, Baboon, Bear, Cat, Dog, Horse, Leopard, Monkey, Squirrel, Ty∣ger, &c. concerning which, yet Celsus, lib. 5. cap. 27. saith, That all Bitings of wild Beasts whatsoever, have in them some certain kind of Venom.

VI. Moreover, these Creatures when they bite, are for the most part enraged; and Wrath or Rage has in it a great power to disturb the Humors, and cor∣rupt them; which vitiousness of the Humors is easily commu∣nicated into the Spittle, and by the Spittle as easily conveyed into the Wound; which thing is manifestly evident, in such as are bitten by a mad Dog or Man.

VII. But if it is supposed that such Wounds are altogether free from any Virulency whatever, yet the Contusion it self (for Teeth are seldom so sharp as to wound, and not also bruise) renders all Wounds whatsover the more dan∣gerous and grievous, and makes them the more difficult to be cured.

VIII. The Prognosticks. These Wounds are dangerous as well in themselves, by reason of the Contu∣sion, as also because the Spittle of the furious and enraged Animal is supposed to have something of Ma∣lignity joined with it; but much more dangerous, if the Nervous and Tendinous Parts are bitten or wounded withal.

IX. And if they are made by one Man's biting of another, they are not without their danger. Guilielmus Fabricius Hildanus, Cent. 2. Obs. 84. & 85 gives us three Instances. 1. A Mer∣chant, who in his Cups was bitten by another, on the very tip of his right Fore-finger; upon which, his whole right Hand became inflamed, and a Gangren presently began to follow, with Convulsions, a great burning Fever, Swooning, and continual Restlesness. 2. A Physician, who was bit, by put∣ting his Finger to the Mouth of a Woman who had a Frenzy, to feel her Tongue; upon which

biting, he was presently taken with a vehement pain, not only in his Finger, but thro' his whole Arm. 3. Another Man was bitten sorely to the first articu∣lar of his Thumb, by another furious and enraged person; up∣on which he was instantly taken with a vehement pain thro' the whole Arm, and soon after with a Fever, and Swooning-fits.

X. The Cure. If the Wound is made by a Beast that hath blunt Teeth, whereby there is a Contu∣sion, the Blood is to be well squeezed or prest forth, out of the Wound; and Purging-medicines are to be given, (if need so require) to prevent the greater afflux of Humors.

XI. And to prevent the Evil from being communicated to the more superior, or other adjacent Parts, you must apply Defensa∣tives made with Oxycrate, or some other like thing: and to the Wound it self, for easing the Pain, promoting Suppuration, and keeping the Wound open, some proper Anodyn, matura∣tive or digestive.

XII. As, ℞ One Egg, Butter ʒiv. Oils of Violets and Roses, A. ʒij. Saffron ʒss. mix them. Or, ℞ The yolk of one Egg; Turpen∣tine, Honey, A. ℥ss. mix them well together; then add Oil of Roses, or Oil of Ben ʒiii.

XIII. And you may (if need require) apply over this Cata∣plasm. ℞ Althea-roots ℥ j ss. flowers of Camomil and Melilot, A. M.j. Wormwood-tops P.ii. boil all to softness, and beat them to∣gether; to which add the yolk of one Egg, Mithridate ℥i. Oil of Camomil q.s. mix, and make a Cataplasm.

XIV. If you should fear, that there is Virulency in the Wound, you may apply this. ℞ Un∣guentum Basilicon, Strasburgh-Turpentine, A. ℥i. yellow Palm-Oil, or Oil of Ben, Mithridate, A. ʒvi. yolk of one Egg.

XV. And that what is bruised, may be converted into Pus, you must use this Digestive. ℞ Ung. Basilicon, Rosin, Honey of Roses, A.℥i. yolk of one Egg, mix them. Or this: ℞ Strasburgh-Turpentine, Mastich in pouder, A. ℥i. Honey of Roses ℥jss. yolk of one Egg, mix them.

XVI. And if any Malignity is feared, you may apply this: ℞ Strasburgh-Turpentine, Mithri∣date, A.℥i. Aloes, round Birthwort∣root, Myrrh, Orrice-Florentine, A. ℥ss. all in fine pouder, pouder of Zedoary, and Winters Cinnamon, A. ʒi. mix, and with Honey of Roses, q.s. make a Liniment.

XVII. The Wound being di∣gested, and well cleansed, you must fill it up with Flesh, with proper Sarcoticks, and at last with Epu∣loticks produce the Cicatrice.

XVIII. If a Gangren is feared, as approaching, you must pursue the Cure, as we have directed in the Chapter of a Gangren. Or thus: Bathe all the adjacent places with Spirit of Wine Campho∣rated; and upon the Wound apply very hot this following Mixture.

XIX. ℞ Strasburgh-Turpentine Gum Elemi, A. ℥i. yolks of two Eggs; pouder of Earthworms ʒii. Frankincense, Camphir, A. ʒi. mix them.

XX. If the Pain increases, bathe with this: ℞ Powers of Amber, Powers of Juniper, A. ℥i. Spirit of Sal Armoniack ʒii. Guttae Vitae ℥ss. mix them: and over all, apply some proper Anodyn Cataplasm: after which the Pain being something eased, you may apply Empl. Album, and so Cure it as another bruised Wound.

XXI. But mean season, or du∣ring the whole course of this Cure, give inwardly every Night a Dose of Our Theriaca Chymica; and every Morning fasting this mix∣ture: ℞ Aq. Bezoartica, or Spi∣ritus Cordialis ʒvi. Syrup of Li∣mons ʒiii. Spiritus Opii Composi∣tus ʒiss. mix for a Dose.