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. XI. Of a FRACTƲRE with WASTING of the PART.

I. IT is called in Greek, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. in Latin, Fracturacum Atrophia; and in English, A Fracture, with a slenderness, wasting or con∣sumption of the Part.

II. It oftentimes happens that in Curing of a Fracture, the Limb or Member becomes slender or wast∣ed, as if it consumed away, which we call an Atrophia of the Part: This happens both in old and young, but chiefly in such whose Flesh is soft and tender, and not come to the hardness or firmness of a full or well-grown Body.

III. The Causes. It is caused from the hindering of Nutriment coming to the Part, which is done by the too long and hard binding of the Part; by means of which the Arteries and Veins carrying the Aliment, are nearly closed up.

IV. Or it may be caused from the Folly or Poverty of the Sick, when he has not Food enough, or what is convenient for him to nourish him withal.

V. And sometimes it is caused by a long-continued rest of the Mèmber or Part, and its cessation from motion; or at least, this thing may add to the other Causes, to make them more Po∣tent in effecting this disaffection.

VI. The Prognosticks. It is known by sight; and therefore if it is recent, and in young, tender and growing Bodies, it is easily Cu∣red: But if it is of long stand∣ing, and in a Body done grow∣ing, it is Cured with much difficulty: If the Patient is very Aged, it is Incurable.

VII. The Cure. In order to this Cure, you must endeavour to remove the Cause; you must order a full and nourishing Diet, and such things chiefly which may agree with the Stomach of the Patient, and may corroborate or strengthen it: Of which kind are Gellies of all sorts, and strong Broths made savoury, and also a little acid with Juice of Limons, which gives to the Nutriment a pene∣trating quality.

VIII. You must also use and ap∣ply those Means which may attract or bring the Aliment into the Part; you must slacken the binding: And when you dress the Fra∣cture, the Part is to be fomen∣ted with such things as dissolve Congelations, and withal, may draw the Nutriment into the Member affected.

IX. You may bathe with the Powers of Amber, of Limons, La∣vender, Rosemary, Savin, or Sou∣thernwood; after which you may anoint with this Oil: ℞ Oils of Amber and Aniseed, A. ℥i. Oils of Juniper-berries, of Ben, and of

bitter Almonds, A. ℥ss. mix them.

X. Or, ℞ Oils of Costus and Camomil, A. ℥ss. Oils of Castor, and of Neats-feet, Mans Grease, Ung. Martiatum, A. ℥i. mix, and make a Liniment: This is good for broken Bones, which grow not as they should do.

XI. And over all you may apply Empl. Piceum, or some other powerful Dropacism, or Sina∣pism, which have a strength in them to attract the Aliment powerfully.

XII. Also inwardly you must give such things as resolve and open Obstructions, even the most inveterate; among which we com∣mend to you, Spiritus Aperiens, Spiritus Nitratus, volatil Salts of Harts-horn, of Vipers, and of Mans Skull, volatil Sal Armo∣niack, Ens Veneris, Salt of Tar∣tar, of Tamarisk and Worm∣wood, Salt or Vitriol of Mars, and Tincture of Mars made with Wine grown acid, or with Spi∣rit of Nitre.

XIII. To these things you may add Powers of Amber, of Ani∣seed, of Caraways, of Cloves, of Fennel, of Lavender, of Li∣mons, of Origanum, of Marjo∣ram, of Rosemary, of Sage, of Savin, of Sassafras, of Tyme, &c. given in a fit Dose in Canary twice or thrice a day.