SECT. LXXIII.—ON PHIMUS IN THE UTERUS.
Phimus takes place about the mouth of the womb, either in consequence of ulceration or of inflammation terminating in scirrhus. We must cure it by emollient hip-baths of oil and water, and of the decoction of fenugreek, applying cataplasms of a like kind, and introducing emollient pessaries. But if the complaint be protracted, we must have recourse to vapour-baths and fumigation with aromatics. The phimus may be dissolved by a pessary of the sordes of unwashed wool, nitre, and turpentine-rosin, being simply an obstruction of the mouth of the womb.
Commentary. Imperforate hymen and other obstructions of the vagina requiring a surgical operation will be treated of in the [Sixth Book]. The case here treated of is simply an obstruction of the os uteri by a callous substance. The emollient treatment by pessaries here recommended appears very proper. Aëtius makes mention of a more efficacious but dangerous application, namely, a piece of sponge spread with an ointment containing arsenic, alum, &c. Hippocrates had recommended an application containing verdegris. (De Steril. xii.)
Avicenna treats the complaint solely by a surgical operation. Alsaharavius approves of the emollient treatment, such as decoctions of mallows, fenugreek, linseed, &c.