Some sores which have become cicatrized, often after no long time become inflamed and break out again; for a bone being diseased, sometimes the flesh which covers it heals up readily and appears sound, but in a short time a strong defluxion taking place from the corrupted bone below, inflammation supervenes, and pus is formed which corrodes the cicatrix. What then is the cure of such ulcers? Dry the diseased bone to such a degree that it may exfoliate. But the diseased part of the bone may easily be brought up if you apply a cataplasm, consisting of fig leaves triturated with fine dried barley flour and wine. Or you may apply equal parts of the reed of henbane and of copperas triturated together. The root of hog’s-fennel speedily removes the laminæ of bones. * * * * * COMMENTARY. This chapter is copied from Aëtius, who gives some additional prescriptions, such as one consisting of the scales of copper, frankincense, alum, sal ammoniac, pomegranate rind, and ceruse, with or without cerate; and another consisting of red arsenic finely triturated with bear’s fat. Avicenna recommends strong attractive applications, such as a plaster of the leaves of the black poppy with fig leaves; and another containing the atramentum sutorium (sulphate of copper.) SECT. LI.—ON ULCERS IN THE JOINTS. The joints being drier than the fleshy parts, they therefore require when ulcerated more desiccative applications. Wherefore the trochisk of Polyides, when rubbed with wine until of the consistence of the sordes of baths, is an excellent application; and in like manner all equally desiccative medicines. And we have seen them benefited by bathing with sea-water and brine frequently. Wherefore we must use the most desiccative applications to the joints. * * * * * COMMENTARY. This is copied from Oribasius. (Synops. vii, 19.) SECT. LII.—THOSE THINGS WHICH EXTRACT SHAFTS, JAVELINS, THORNS, AND THE LIKE. Javelins, reeds, and shafts, and thorns, are extracted by the two pimpernels, the round birthwort, ammoniac with honey, the fruit of henbane triturated and sprinkled upon the part. Mix the pounded root of calamus with honey, put it into a piece of linen, and use in great quantity; it will speedily extract them. * * * * * COMMENTARY. This subject will be more fully treated of in the Sixth Book. Our author copies from Oribasius. (Synops. vii, 17.) Most of the articles here enumerated are mentioned by Dioscorides as possessing strongly attractive properties. Avicenna, Rhases, and Haly Abbas, speak of similar articles, without any new remedies of consequence. See in particular Haly. (Pract. iv, 24.) The applications mentioned by Pliny are ridiculous. (H. N. xxx, 42, and xxxii, 43.) SECT. LIII.—ON HEMORRHAGE FROM VEINS AND ARTERIES.