A compleat practice of physick.: Wherein is plainly described, the nature, causes, differences, and signs, of all diseases in the body of man. VVith the choicest cures for the same. / By John Smith, Doctor in Physick.

A WOUND, is unity dissolved in a soft, by some cutting thing, wherein nothing is corroded by mat∣ter.

Prognosticks. Made in the full Moon, also on the forepart of the Head is more dangerous, because they abound with moisture, and the situation holds in the matter. That wound that was ever cured cannot be said absolutely mortal; or that which killeth by Symptoms that are only sometimes present: Nor those which are long a-curing, and at last de∣generate into some other disease that is mortal, as a wound of the Lungs in∣to the Phtysick. Those are absolutely mortal that kill within some hours or days, and can be cured by no Art; but those are incurable, which cannot be cured, and yet the sick may hold out some years. The spirits are suddenly

suffocated, or dissipated. Wounds of the Marrow of the Back are mortal. Senn. saw a Butcher who did not knock down his Oxen, but with a little knife, where the Head is joyned to the Spon∣dils, he thrust it into the marrow of the Back, successively. They are more easily cured in the Spring. For wounds, also critical days must be observed: Some have been invaded on the 20. day by Symptoms, and not before. A round wound is the worst. If a Feaver grow before the seventh day, it is from mat∣ter, and we need not fear it so much. If after seven days, it is from corrupti∣on, and dangerous. A Feaver from Ery∣sipelas is not so dangerous. Cold, Vene∣ry, anger, too much joy, fear, are dead∣ly; Pushes swelling by the Tongue are deadly, from a dropping of sharp mat∣ter, through the hollow of the Palate upon the Tongue, and Convulsion of the opposite part.

The Cure. 1. Take out all strange things. 2. Joyn the parts severed. 3. Let them grow together. 4. Keep the strength of the part. 5. Take away the Symptoms. First therefore, let the

blood run away freely, shave away the hairs, wash out with Wine all extrane∣ous small things, clotted blood must be taken out, but not all the first dressing, if there be fear of a Flux of blood. Take out all pieces of Arms, unless there be fear of great pain or bleeding at hand to hinder it; for so it is better to com∣mit the whole business to nature for some days. If there be no hopes that the sick will live, if the weapon be ta∣ken forth, let not the Chirurgion take it out, lest he have thereby the re∣port of a man-slayer. For some, as in the wound of the Heart, Brain, the Weapon, being let alone, live for one day, but so soon as it is drawn forth, they dy. That a thing that is extrane∣ous may be drawn out, the sick must be left in the same posture he was in when he received the wound. It is taken out with the Fingers, or Bekes, with or without cutting, or making incision in the opposite part, it is thrust out there∣by. Fab. obs. 88. cent. 1. sheweth In∣struments whereby bullets are taken out without pain. If a stick fastned in the flesh cannot be taken forth, it is ta∣ken

out by Medicaments made of Pitch, Galbanum, Sagapenum, Ammo∣niacum, Rosin of the Pine-tree, Ditta∣ny of Crete, round Birthwort: or the whole business is left to Nature. Let him be seated softly, equally, so much as can be by reason of pain, in the same posture we would have the part to a∣bide. Unless it be very great, use no stitching. Suture with glew is conveni∣ent: but it will not stick fast until four hours. Senn. useth this Plaister. Take Bole armenick, Mastick▪ Dragons blood, Frankincense, of each one cruple; Gum Tacamahack, two drams; Make a plaister to glutinate. Caesar Magatus did not stitch but made the plaisters so long, and those many and thin, so that one part sticking, be might lay the other also over the wound to the opposite part. I would Chirurgions would use this stitching ordinarily. The first kind of suture is called, Intersection. Tents carry the Medicaments, and so keep the wound open. If there be a Nerve in the bottome of the wound, let not the Tent touch it. Fab. obs. 76. Where the wound is straight, smaller Tents must

not, saith he, be put in, because of their flexibility. He wraps up a silver thread in a Tent, and anoints it with a dige∣stive obs. 83. and 84. We must (saith he) mark well whether the wound be but one or doubled backward, so that being but one outwardly, it may be two inwardly. Afterwards if a fleshy part be hurt, the quitter must be pro∣voked by Digestives, or Suppuratives, as by oyl of Roses, yolks of Eggs, Tur∣pentine, Rosin of the Firr-tree, Wheat∣meal, Frankincense, &c. If it be a dry part, by and by apply Sarcoticks, those being set aside; and truly the Medica∣ments must be changed often, and al∣waies Sarcoticks must be mingled with Suppuratives. When the matter appea∣reth good, we use Sarcoticks. C. Magatus & Septalius, think the wound should sel∣dom be uncovered, because the ambient aire corrupts the temper of the part, whence grows plenty of putrefaction, & difficulty of cure. 2. That Tents are use∣lesse. The Flux will be driven away, if the heat of the part, the pain, the heat of the humours and thinness, be pre∣vented by opening of a Vein. If there need purging, give it at the first; when

a Feaver comes, it is not safe. Alwaies let it be done by the gentler Purga∣tives.