The seven books of Paulus Ægineta, volume 2 (of 3) : $b translated from the Greek: with a commentary embracing a complete view of the knowledge possessed by the Greeks, Romans, and Arabians on all subjects connected with medicine and surgeryPaulus, Aegineta
History
The seven books of Paulus Ægineta, volume 2 (of 3) : $b translated from the Greek: with a commentary embracing a complete view of the knowledge possessed by the Greeks, Romans, and Arabians on all subjects connected with medicine and surgery
Paulus, Aegineta
Medicine; Medicine, Arab; Medicine, Greek and Roman
COMMENTARY. We will give Celsus’s description of this operation in his
own words: “Quidam aiunt, acu transui juxta pilos exteriorem partem
palpebræ debere, eamque transmitti duplicem capillum muliebrem ducentem,
atque ubi acus transiit, in ipsius capilli sinum, qua duplicatur, pilum
esse conjiciendum, et per eum in superiorem palpebræ partem attrahendum,
ibique corpori agglutinandum, et imponendum medicamentum quo foramen
glutinetur; sic enim fore, ut is pilus in exteriorem partem postea
spectet.” However, he does not much approve of the operation. He also
describes the operation of cauterising the roots of the hairs. (vii, 7.)
Albucasis, Haly Abbas, and Rhases describe the operation in much the
same terms as Celsus and our author. Most of the Arabian authorities,
likewise, describe the operation of burning the roots of the hairs by
means of a specillum or any such instrument. Canamusali gives a short
account of both operations, that is to say, the anabrochismus and burning
the roots of the hairs.
This operation is described by the earlier of the modern writers on
surgery. The agglutinative composition recommended for this purpose by
Guido de Cauliaco consists of mastich, frankincense, aloes, sarcocol, and
tragacanth, dissolved in the white of an egg. (vi, ii.)
SECT. XIV.—ON HYDATIDS.
The hydatid is a fatty substance, naturally lodged under the skin of the
eyelid, which, in some persons, more especially in children of a more
humid temperament, increases until it become the cause of disagreeable
symptoms by encumbering the eye, and thereby occasioning defluxions.
The eyelids, therefore, under the brows appear watery and cannot be
raised in a becoming manner; and if, when we press upon them with our
fingers, we separate the fingers, the intermediate space swells up.
They are most troubled with defluxions about day-break, and cannot look
direct against the rays of the sun, but shed tears and are subject to
continued ophthalmies. Wherefore, having placed the patient in a proper
position, we compress the eyelid with the index and middle fingers a
little separated from one another, so as to form a collection of the
watery contents between the fingers, and direct the assistant, who
stands behind and holds the head, to stretch the eyelid moderately at
the middle of the brow; then taking a lancet used for bleeding, we make
a transverse incision through the middle, not longer than that made in
venesection, and of such a depth as to divide the skin or even to touch
the hydatid itself; but this is to be done with due circumspection. For
many plunging the instrument too deep, have either divided the cornea or
wounded some muscle of the eyelid. If the hydatid immediately appear, we
draw it out, or if not, we again make a slight incision. When it comes
in sight we seize on it by the fingers, with a soft cloth, and moving it
hither and thither and round about, we draw it out. After the removal of
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