Of Medicine, in Eight BooksCelsus, Aulus Cornelius
History
Of Medicine, in Eight Books
Celsus, Aulus Cornelius
Medicine, Greek and Roman
The proper medicine for it is galbanum, but other things have also been
mentioned before. If none of these can be had, the first application
ought to be a plaister not greasy, to repel it; then if that has not
succeeded, something to promote a suppuration. If that cannot be got,
either resin or leaven(85). When the pus is squeezed out, no further
cure is necessary.
[Sidenote: _Of phymata._]
The name of phyma is given to a tubercle resembling a furuncle, but
rounder, and flatter in the surface, and often larger. For a furuncle
seldom rises to the bulk of half an egg, and never exceeds it: a phyma
is commonly of greater extent; but the inflammation and pain in it
are less. When it is broken, the pus appears in the same manner; no
ventricle is found here, as in the furuncle; but all the corrupted
flesh is turned into pus. Now this grows more frequently in children,
and is more easily cured; in young men it occurs more seldom, and is
more difficult to cure: when age has given firmness to the body, it
does not appear at all. The proper medicines for discussing it have
been mentioned before.
[Sidenote: _Of a phygethlon._]
A phygethlon is a low, but broad tumour, in which there is something
like to a pustule. The pain and tension are violent, and greater than
in proportion to the size of the tumour; sometimes also attended with
a slight fever. It ripens slowly, and no great part of it is converted
into pus. It is formed chiefly either in the neck, or in the armpits,
or the groin. From its figure our authors call it panus(86). The
proper medicine for this also we have pointed out before.
[Sidenote: _Of abscesses._]
But though all the foregoing are nothing else but small abscesses,
yet a larger collection, that tends entirely to suppuration,
appropriates to itself the general name of abscess. And this collection
happens generally after fevers or pains of some particular parts,
and especially after pains in the belly. It commonly shews itself
externally, for it sometimes swells to a pretty large compass, like
the phyma, and is red and hot, and in a little time contracts a
hardness. It is more troublesome as it advances, and occasions thirst
and watchfulness. But sometimes there is none of these appearances in
the skin; and more especially when the suppuration is pretty deep; but
inward prickings are felt, attended with thirst and watchfulness. It is
more kindly when it does not become hard of a sudden; and when, though
it be ruddy, yet it is changing to a white colour. Which symptoms occur
when the suppuration is beginning; for the swelling and redness comes
on long before.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account