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. XXXIX. Of an ƲLCER of ARMS, and HANDS.

I. WHAT the Greeks call, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. and the Latins; Ʋlcus Manûs; Ʋlcus Cubiti; & Ʋlcus Brachii; we in English call, an Ʋlcer of the Hand; or of the Elbow; or of the Arm.

II. The Causes. They often proceed from External Violence, Contusions, Tumors, Apostems, Kings-Evil, French Pox, &c.

III. The Prognosticks. They are either easie, or difficult of Cure; according as they are either re∣cent or inveterate, simple, or complicated with Symptoms, benign, or malign, &c.

IV. The Cure. Convenient purging, and often is to be prescri∣bed, with Our Family Pill, Pi∣lulae Catharticae, or Panchyma∣gogae, or Pulvis Cornachini, Pul∣vis Antimonii, or Pulvis Cathar∣ticus.

V. Or you may give Tincture of Sena and Rhubarb, made with White-wine; or an Infusion of Mechoacan in White-Port-Wine; or Rosin of Jallap, mixed with Mercurius dulcis, and pouder of Aniseeds or Caraways, or pouder of Liquorice, and so exhibited in a little Syrup of Roses.

VI. A good Traumatick Diet∣drink is also to be ordered, made of the Famous Vulneraries; and withal, a drying 〈◊〉〈◊〉 drink of Guajacum Sassafras, Sarsa, Anti∣mony crude, &c. as we have in many places taught.

VII. Then for Topical Applica∣tions,

if there is a vehemency of Pain, you must apply Anodyns, which may sometimes (as your Prudence shall direct you) be mixt with Narcoticks.

VIII. Then if the Ʋlcer is crude, with an undigested Sanies or Mat∣ter, you must apply Digestives, or Suppuratives, till such time as the Patient has ease, and the Pus is such as they call laudable.

IX. The Ʋlcer being digested, you must cleanse with Abstersives; but you must be cautious that they be not too strong, by rea∣son of the many Tendons, Nerves, &c.

X. The Juice of Smallage with Honey, or with Honey and Turpen∣tine is excellent; so the Mundi∣ficativum Paracelsi, and no ways inferior is Our Ʋng. Nicotianae, or the Ʋng. Fuscum Wurtzii, which is admirable, yea, tho' it be strumous: And some commend Ʋnguentum Bryoniae.

XI. If there is a great Tumor withal, you may apply this Dis∣cussive Cataplasm. ℞ Wine Vi∣negar, or Lime-juice ℥iv. Bean Meal or Flower ℥ii. fine Bole, Dra∣gons-blood, A. ℥ss. Orrice-root, pouder of Tobacco, A. ʒii. boil, and at the end add Oil of Roses ℥ss. and the yolk of one Egg, mix, and make a Cataplasm.

XII. If there is proud Flesh, you may take it away with Basili∣con, mixed with red Precipi∣tate, or with burnt Alum; or with this. ℞ The strongest white Wine Vinegar ℥iii. burnt Alum ℥ii. boil to driness, and calcine it again.

XIII. The Ʋlcer being cleansed, you must Incarnate with Sarco∣ticks, and then it must be cica∣trized with some Styptick Water, or with burnt Alum dissolved in red Wine, which wonderfully dries all sorts of Ulcers; or with proper Epuloticks, Ointments, Cerates, and Emplasters.

XIV. If the Ʋlcer is inveterate or malign, or proceeds from some strumous Cause, there is nothing equal to the Water of the Grif∣fin for the healing thereof; for being cleansed of its filth, you may wash the Sore with it 2 or 3 times a day, and keep Linnen Cloths 4, 6, or 8 times double, dipt in the same, and laid upon it, keeping them constantly wet, by often dropping the Wa∣ter thereon, which sinking thro' the folded Cloth, will penetrate to the Ulcer, and heal it, yea, in a very short time.

XV. Sometimes a laced Com∣press may be of great use in these Ʋlcers, especially if they be caver∣nous or hollow; but you must take heed, that you lace it not so hard as to extinguish the Natural Heat, for so a Gangrene and Mortification will be indu∣ced; and withal, take heed that you probe not too deep, nor where Tents are needful, that you make them not too long, lest you prolong the Cure, and put the Patient to much Pain.