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
that ascribed to Amythaon, and those which we are about to describe for
scrofula.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. See Galen (De Tumoribus; Meth. Med. xiv; Therap. ad Glauc.
ii); Oribasius (Synops. vii, 34); Aëtius (xv, 3, 4); Leo (vii, 4);
Actuarius (Meth. Med. iv, 16); Serapion (v, 23); Avicenna (iv, 3, 2, 12);
Haly Abbas (Pract. iii, 31); Alsaharavius (xxix, 1, 15); Rhases (Antid.
i, Cont. xxvii, Antidot. i.)
This section is entirely taken from Galen (Ther. ad Glauc. l. c.) Galen’s
account, however, is somewhat fuller than our author’s, and contains a
case treated upon the principles which he lays down. It was a case of
hard swelling in the thigh, arising from an erysipelas which had been
improperly treated by astringent and cooling applications. Galen informs
us that he began by pouring upon the limb an attenuant oil, namely, the
Sabine; after which he caused it to be rubbed with marrows and fats
medicated with bdellium, mastich, ammoniac perfume, and the like. After
this he bathed the whole limb with a solution of ammoniac in very acrid
vinegar. When the swelling had been lessened, but not completely removed
by these means, he afterwards applied one of the pitch medicines, and
at length effected a cure. In another place he states that scirrhus is
sometimes allied to cancer.
Oribasius likewise recommends a combination of emollients with
discutients; and Actuarius approves of the same practice.
Aëtius has a valuable chapter upon this subject. Besides the articles
mentioned by our author, he recommends various rosins, turpentine,
frankincense, and the like. He forbids the use of aluminous, sulphureous,
and chalybeate baths. For indurations of tendons he recommends things
possessed of attenuant and cutting properties combined with emollients,
such as ammoniac dissolved in vinegar with melons.
The Arabians treat of scirrhus in much the same terms as the Greeks.
Avicenna properly directs us to bleed when there is congestion of black
blood in the part, and afterwards to use applications of a solvent and
emollient nature. He and Serapion mention the same identical remedies
as those of Paulus. For dissolving hard tumours he recommends an oil
containing fenugreek, cyperus, and aromatic reed. Haly Abbas ascribes the
formation of scirrhus to the same causes as our author, and recommends
relaxant and emollient applications. Alsaharavius directs us to procure
evacuations of black bile, and gives prescriptions for various emollient
and discutient applications. When the usual remedies do not succeed, he
advises recourse to be had to the operation. Rhases divides scirrhus
into two varieties, that accompanied with sensibility, and that which is
insensible. He mentions that Antyllus approved of extirpation and the
actual cautery when the disease is of a corroding and cancerous nature.
SECT. XXXIII.—ON STRUMA OR SCROFULA.
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