SECT. VII.—ON STIGMATA, FROM THE WORKS OF ARCHIGENES.
You may remove stigmata by rubbing in that which sticks to a chamber-pot, along with the most acrid vinegar, or rub of quicklime, p. j; of red natron toasted, p. ss; with water, in the sun: but when it ulcerates let it be healed like an ulcer. But Crito says, for stigmata, having first scrubbed the part with nitre (soda), cover it with an application of turpentine; then having bound it, let it remain for six days, and on the seventh perforate the stigma with a needle, and having wiped away the blood with a sponge, after a little time rub with some powdered salt. Then, having applied the medicine, allow it to remain for five days. It is this: of frankincense, of natron, of the lye of quicklime, of wax, of each, dr. iv; of honey, dr. viij; having loosed it, you will find the blackness upon the application.—Another ointment: Of pepper, dr. ij; of rue, dr. iv; of realgar, dr. iv; of orpiment, dr. j; of honey, q. s. Anoint with it, have previously scrubbed the part with natron, and done otherwise in like manner as for the former. Taking it away after three days, and cleaning away the blackness, anoint with it again; for, he says, it removes the complaint in twenty days, without ulceration or cicatrix.—Another called Criticum: Of frankincense, dr. iv; of nitre, dr. ij; of copperas, dr. iv; of wax, dr. vj; of pepper, dr. iij; of lime, dr. iij; of thapsia, dr. iij; of orpiment, dr. iss; of realgar, dr. iij; of honey, q. s; use as the former. Oribasius says, that crowfoot (ranunculus) if applied, or the leaves of capers, take away the marks. But if they be deep seated upon only a small extent of skin, form an eschar by a cold cautery, and thus remove them.
Commentary. Consult Aëtius (viii, 12); Actuarius (Meth. Med. vi, 8); Scribonius Largus (§ 231); Avicenna (iv, 7, 2, 7); Pseudo-Dioscor. (Eupor. i, 116.)
Aëtius explains that by stigmata are meant the marks of injuries on the face or any part of the body. To eradicate them he recommends compositions containing quicklime, natron, arsenic, &c.
The Pseudo-Dioscorides recommends the ranunculus, the juice of the leaves of capers, or that of mandragora, &c.
Actuarius copies from our author.
Scribonius Largus mentions a composition containing garlic, cantharides, sulphur, chalcitis, &c.
Avicenna recommends friction with natron and the other substances mentioned by our author.
Dr. Willan defines the stigma, “a small speck on the skin, occasioning no elevation of the cuticle.” The ancient authorities, it will be perceived, apply the term in a wider sense.