XXII. In a Fistula of the Wrist, if the Bones of it, or of the back of the Hand, be carious, the Cure will be very bard to be performed, because these Bones are spongy, and so apt to receive superflu∣ous Humidities, and withal, are not easie to be scaled.
XXIII. But indeed there is not any Fistula of the Joints, tho' it is without Corruption of the Carti∣lages or Bones, easie to be Cured; partly by reason of the pain from the sensibleness of the Part; and partly by reason of the sharpness of those Medica∣ments, which must be applied to remove the Callus, which al∣ways increase that pain, and so are apt to induce Symptomati∣cal Fevers, loss' of Appetite, Watchings, Restlesness, Exte∣nuation or Wasting of the Body, and at last a Hectick and Ma∣rasmus.
XXIV. If one of these Fistula's in the great Joints, is accompa∣nied with an extenuation, or pi∣ning, or Hectick Fever, the Case is desperate; for drying things which ought to be exhibited in the Cure, do add infallibly to the Consumption.
XXV. And for the same Rea∣sons that a Fistula in the Wrist is bard to be Cured, is a Fistula in the Ankle or Instep yet harder; for besides the Cariosity of the Bones, and their sponginess, here is withal a greater danger of a flux of Humors, because it is a more depending Part.
XXVI. A Fistula in the Elbow or Knee, if it is with Corruption of either Cartilages or Bones, since they are very sensible Parts, there will be a very great pain, and a mighty difficulty in the Cure; and if ever it is performed, it will not be done, but through a great length of time.
XXVII. The Cure. Ʋniver∣sals, and a proper Diet, with Wound-drinks being prescribed, as is usual in other Fistula's, we will come immediately to the Topi∣cal Cure.
XXVIII. 1. By reason of the Pain, Anodyn Cataplasms, are to be applied to alleviate it: This of Fallopius is commended. Take Bran, Flowers of Camomil, Bar∣ley Meal, Oesipus, A. ℥iiss. Oils of Earthworms, of Camomil, and of Dill, A. ℥ii. Alicant Wine ℥iss. mix, and make a Cataplasm.
XXIX. 2. Toremove the Cal∣sus, we commend, Arcanum Co∣rallinum, red Precipitate, or un∣washed Turpethum-Minerale, as the most Excellent things, and the latter of them as the best: You may mix it (or the others) with fine Bole, or Terra Sigil∣lata, and Vitriol calcin'd, which Compositum may be applied in form of Troches, or mixed with Ʋng. Populeon, and so appli∣ed upon a Tent; it produces no vehement Pain, nor inflamma∣tion, or other vehement Symp∣tom.
XXX. But beware that you apply not Arsenick, or Corrosive Sublimate, to remove the Callosi∣ty; for they always cause vehement Pain, Symptomatick Fevers, and (if the Patient be of a Cacochy∣mick habit of Body) many times a Mortification of the Part: I once saw the application of the latter to a Fistula in the Instep,