Of Medicine, in Eight BooksCelsus, Aulus Cornelius
History
Of Medicine, in Eight Books
Celsus, Aulus Cornelius
Medicine, Greek and Roman
That is called acrothymium[FG], which rises like a small wart above
the flesh, broader at the skin, smaller above, hardish and very
rough upon the top, where in colour it resembles thyme, whence it has
its name; and it is easily divided there, and made bloody; sometimes
it discharges some blood; and is generally about the bigness of an
Egyptian bean, seldom larger, sometimes very small. Sometimes only one,
at other times more grow in the palms of the hands, and soles of the
feet; they are worst in the private parts, and aptest to bleed there.
[FG] ἀκροθύμιον.
Those called myrmecia[FH] are lower and harder than an acrothymium, fix
their roots deeper, and occasion a greater pain; below they are broad,
and above small, and less blood comes from them: in size they scarce
ever exceed a lupine. These likewise grow either in the palms of the
hands, or lower parts of the feet.
[FH] μυρμήκια.
The clavus grows elsewhere sometimes, but chiefly in the feet, and
principally form a contusion, though sometimes from other causes; and
it gives pain, if not at other times, at least when one is walking.
Of these the acrochordon, and the acrothymium often terminate of
themselves, and the more readily, the less they are. Myrmecia and
clavi are scarce ever removed without medicine. If the acrochordon be
cut off, it leaves no root, and for reason does not grow again. When
the acrothymium and clavus are cut off, a small roundish root grows,
which descends deep into the flesh, and that being left, they sprout up
again. The myrmecia adhere by very broad roots, and therefore cannot
be taken off without a great ulceration. It is very proper to pare the
clavus now and then: for thus without any violence it grows soft: but
if a little blood be let out, it often dies away. It is also removed,
if one cleans it round, and then applies to it resin mixed with a
little of the powder of a milstone. But the other kinds are to be eaten
away by medicines. For the two first, that which is made from the lees
of wine; for the myrmecia the most proper is that, which consists of
alum and sandarach. But the contiguous parts ought to be covered with
leaves, lest they also be corroded; and after that a lentil must be
applied. A fig also boiled in water destroys an acrothymium.
[Sidenote: _Of pustules._]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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