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ON ULCERS. - Hippocrates, The Writings of Hippocrates and Galen [1846]

Edition used:

The Writings of Hippocrates and Galen. Epitomised from the Original Latin translations, by John Redman Coxe (Philadelphia: Lindsay and Blakiston, 1846).

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ON ULCERS.

LIBER DE ULCERIBUS,FŒSIUS, Treat. iv. p. 869.
DE ULCERIBUS LIBER,HALLER, iv. p. 101.
TRAITÉ DES PLAIES,GARDEIL, iv. p. 332.

From the number and variety of remedies herein mentioned, this would appear not to be one of the genuine productions of Hippocrates. It does not add the doses, as in the books De Muliebribus. Sundry-admonitions are given against the abuse of oleaginous and relaxing applications about the ulcerated parts. The remedies themselves are sufficiently adapted to the nature of things. Arsenic, black hellebore, and cantharides are amongst them. Some plants are briefly described.—This book, according to Gardeil, is often quoted in surgical books.

Some general remarks commence this book, which are of much importance as to certain applications, rest, &c. A principal intention is to prevent inflammation, and promote suppuration; to permit fresh wounds to bleed freely, and avoid greasy applications, except in certain particular cases. Purging; bandaging, when proper; seasons, which are best for ulcers; of measures for promoting cicatrization; treatment of round and deep ulcers, and of ulcers accompanied by erysipelas. Signs of suppuration, and of difficult cicatrization. Some recommendations to accelerate it.

A variety of formulæ, simple and compound, follows, for remedial applications, as cataplasms, &c. In one of these, we find the juice of the stramonium, or solanum, where erysipelas is apprehended. Ærugo, mixed with various ingredients, as sweet wine, honey, resin, myrrh, and nitre (νιϛρον), made into a kind of ointment, for dressing ulcers when they do not discharge adequately,—and spoken of as especially useful in those of the prepuce, head, and ears;—if correctly made, I think it must be an excellent ointment, and well adapted for cleansing or deterging wounds and ulcers: it is stated as equally good in recent and in inveterate ulcers. Many other active ointments are mentioned, in some of which are to be found lead, tutty, alum, copper, arsenic, cantharides, &c.; some used in form of a lotion. Some observations are made on swellings of the feet, on varicose veins, &c.; their treatment, and a few remarks on the use of cups.