[ET] ἐρυσίπελας. [EU] γάγγραινα. The former kinds happen in any part of the body: the last mentioned about the extremities, that is, the nails, the armpits, or groin; and generally in old people, or in such as are in a bad habit of body. The flesh of such an ulcer is either black or livid, but dry and withered, and the contiguous skin is for the most part covered with pustules of a dark brown colour; then the next to that is either pale or livid, and commonly of an æruginous colour, and void of sensation; the skin a little farther off(68) is inflamed. And all these spread at once; the ulcer into the pustulous part; the pustules to the part that is pale or livid; the paleness or livor to that which is inflamed; and the inflammation proceeds to that which is sound. In the mean time an acute fever comes on, and a vehement thirst; some are also delirious; others, though they be sensible, stammer, and with great difficulty can make their meaning understood; the stomach begins to be affected; the breath itself acquires a fetid smell. Now this disorder in the beginning admits of a cure; but when it is thoroughly rooted, it is incurable; and most of them die with a cold sweat. [Sidenote: _The cure of an old ulcer._] These are the dangers, to which wounds are liable. But when the ulcer is old, it must be cut round with a knife, and its lips cut off, and whatever beyond them is livid, must likewise be scarified. If there be a small varix within, which prevents its healing, that also must be cut out. Afterwards when blood has been discharged, and a new face thus given to the wound, the same method of cure must be pursued, which has been directed for recent wounds. If any person does not chuse to make use of a knife, the plaister, which is composed of labdanum, may incarn it, and when the ulcer has been eaten down by that, a plaister, which brings on a cicatrix. [Sidenote: _Of an erysipelas._] Now that, which I said has the name of an erysipelas, is not only consequent upon a wound, but often happens without it, and is sometimes very dangerous; especially if its seat be about the neck or head. It is proper, if the strength will admit, to bleed; then to apply at once repellents and coolers, and particularly cerus with the juice of nightshade, or cimolian chalk with rain water; or meal made into a paste with the same water, with the addition of cypress, or if it be in a tender part, with lentils. Whatever is applied, must be covered with a beet leaf, and upon that must be laid a linen cloth dipped in cold water. If coolers alone do little service, the following mixture must be made; of sulphur p. i. *. ceruss, saffron, each p. x. *. and these to be rubbed down with wine, and spread over the part: or if the place is not tender, leaves of nightshade powdered must be mixed with hog’s lard, and applied spread upon linen.