SECT. LI.—ON PROLAPSUS OF THE NAVEL.
The causes and surgical treatment of protrusion of the navel will be treated of in the Surgical part of the work. But, since some restore the parts to their natural state by medicines, we must now mention that method of treatment: Of fissile alum, dr. v; of lees of wine, dr. viij; of rose-oil, dr. x; of unripe gall-nuts, dr. ij; dilute with wine; make to the thickness of honey; and wash with it; and put on externally a sponge soaked in oxycrate, and surround it with a bandage.—Another: Of the outer skin of bruised beans, of galls, of pomegranate flowers, equal parts; boil in water, and when dissolved pound carefully, and wash with it; and apply the sponge, as formerly said.—Another: Of the parings of lead, dr. xvj; of hemlock, of manna, of ceruse, of the juice of hypocistis, of each dr. j; dissolve in wine, and use as above described.
Commentary. See in particular Oribasius (Morb. Curat. iv, 117.) It is not necessary to multiply authorities, as all entertain similar views upon this head. The following is a simple receipt given by Celsus: “Cicutæ et fuliginis, denar. j; cerussæ elotæ, denar. iv; plumbi eloti, denar. viij; ovis duobus; quibus etiam solani succus adjicitur.”
Haly Abbas properly remarks that the umbilical hernia is a protrusion of the omentum or intestine at the navel. He recommends various astringent plasters, containing cypress, galls, alum, &c. (Theor. ix, 36; Pract. vii, 51.)