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. XXXVIII. Of WOƲNDS of the BACK, and SPINAL MARROW.

I. THey are called in Greek 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. in Latin, Vulnera Dorsi; and in English, Wounds of the Back. Also 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; in Latin, Vul∣nera Medullae Spinalis; and in English, Wounds of the Spinal Marrow.

II. The Kinds. These Wounds are either in the fleshy parts only, or the Bone is hurt also: Or there is a Wound of the Marrow of the Back-bone.

III. And in this case, the Mar∣row is wounded but in part, or it is wholly cut asunder.

IV. The Signs. If the Mar∣row is only wounded, and not wholly cut asunder, then dreadful Con∣vulsions will of necessity ensue, and so, for the most part, Death.

V. If it is wholly cut asunder, then the whole Body is deprived of moving and feeling; breathing it self will also be hindred, so that of consequence Death must en∣sue.

VI. Celsus, lib. 5. cap. 26. says, That a Convulsion or Palsie follows, feeling is lost, and after a while the Patient cannot retain either Seed, Ʋrine, or Excrements of the Belly; and sometimes a total sup∣pression of the Excremnnts will fol∣low.

VII. And Fernelius, Patholog. lib. 7. cap. 8. says, That the in∣feriour parts become paralytick, and that their feeling, moving, and functions are lost. See cap. 34. Sect. 10, 11, 12, 13, aforegoing.

VIII. The Prognosticks. Al∣most all Wounds of the Spinal Mar∣row

are mortal; if the Patient out-lives them, they generally leave a Paralysis of some one Part or other. See the rest of the Prognosticks, in Chap. 34. Sect. 14. ad 19. of the following Book.

IX. The Cure. If the Wound is made only in the Fleshy or Mus∣culous Parts, then it is to be dressed and cured as those Wounds which happen in the Fleshy Parts.

X. If the Spina Dorsi, or Back-bone is hurt also, then it is to be dressed as a Wound of the Head, wherein there is a Fracture; of which we shall speak at large in Lib. 6. Chap. 12. and 13. of this Work following.

XI. If the Spinal Marrow is hurt only, the Sick may by chance escape: but if it be wholly divi∣ded, the sense and motion of all the parts under or below the Wound, which receive their Nerves from the lower parts of the Spinal Marrow, will be hurt and taken away: for the Influx of the Animal Spirits in∣to those parts will be wholly obstructed.

XII. The Indications of Cure, as also the Topical Medicaments are the same with those in Chap. 34. Sect. 20. ad 24. aforegoing of this Book; and therefore referring you thither, little more need be said con∣cerning the same here.

XIII. However, if the Verte∣brae are in part divided, this following Liniment is com∣mended. ℞ Yolks of Eggs ℥ii. Gum Elemi, Strasburgh-Turpentine, A. ʒvi. Oil of Hypericon ℥jss. Oil of Spike ʒii. Saffron in pouder ʒi. mix them.

XIV. Or, ℞ Balsam de Chili, de Peru, yolks of Eggs, A. ℥i. Oil of Hypericon ℥jss. Mithridate, S.V. A.ʒii. Oil of Petre ʒi. mix them.

XV. And the whole Spina Dorsi may be anointed with this Mix∣ture: ℞ Oils of Limons, La∣vender, Marjoram, Rosemary, Sage, Savin, Sassafras, Amber, A. ʒjss. Oil of Hypericon or of Ben ℥jss. mix, and anoint there∣with.

XVI. And you may Embro∣cate the whole Back with this: ℞ Oils of Hypericon and of Whelps, A. ℥i. Oils of Juniper∣berries and of Lavender, A. ʒvi. mix them.