The thapsus mentioned in this Section occurs in Theocritus (Idyl. ii, 88,) and is said by the scholiast to be a Scythian wood for dyeing the hair. It also occurs in Nicander (Ther. l, 529). His metaphrasist, Eutecnius, says that it grows in Sicily. Lucan, in like manner, calls it Erycina thapsus, i. e. Sicilian thapsus. (Pharsal. ix, 916.) It is impossible to determine exactly what tree it was.
The opinions of the philosophers regarding the hair may be learned from Aristotle (H. A. iii), and Pliny (H. N. xi, 94.) Both state that the hair and also the nails grow after death; and Philoponus mentions this circumstance as a well-known fact. See Comment. in Aristot. de Anima, Præfat. It may be proper to mention that Bichat and other modern physiologists have been of the same opinion.
SECT. III.—ON PITYRIASIS.
Pityriasis is an eruption of small furfuraceous substances on the skin of the head, or the rest of the body, without ulceration. It is occasioned, either by depraved humours which have been determined to the head, or by a saltish phlegm, or by bilious or melancholic blood. After the general system has been evacuated, as formerly described, we must use some of the under-mentioned remedies. Having first macerated Cimolian earth in water, mix with the juice of beet, and anoint it, allowing it to remain until dry, then wash it away, and, having pounded frankincense with wine and oil, anoint with them. Next day, rub in stavesacre with oil.—Another: Of nitre, of the burnt lees of wine, of ben-nut, of each, lb. j; of stavesacre, lb. iss. Dissolve in wine, and rub the head; or, if the rest of the body be affected with tingling, it may be used dry. When the pityriasis is more humid, wash with brine or the decoction of lupines. Of this remedy I have had ample experience.
On psydracia and exanthemata of the head. The psydracia are small protuberances, like blisters, elevated above the skin. The exanthemata are superficial ulcerations, somewhat red and rough. Both are to be cured by the under-mentioned remedies: Of litharge, dr. ij; of ceruse, dr. iv; of alum dr. ij: of the green leaves of rue, dr. ij; pound with vinegar and myrtle-oil, and anoint.—Another: Pounding rue and alum with honey, anoint with this the head, after having first shaved it. If the head is excoriated, apply olive leaves boiled with honey.—Another: Of litharge and ceruse, of each, dr. xij; of native sulphur, dr. viij; mix with myrtle cerate.
For the thick and red ulcers of the head, resembling papulæ, or small nipples, from which ichor is discharged. Having first shaved the head and scrubbed it with water and nitre, use native sulphur livigated with human urine; or anoint with melanteria and vinegar.
For achores and favi. The complaint called achor is one of those which affect the skin of the head, corroding the skin by very small perforations, from which a discharge of viscid humour takes place. The complaint called favus is nearly allied to it in appearance, since it consists of larger perforations resembling the combs of bees, containing a honey-like fluid. They are occasioned by a nitrous and saltish phlegm. In such cases, the diet should consist of wholesome food; and everything that is acrid and saltish should be avoided, more particularly if the attack be inflammatory. After the proper evacuation of the prevailing humour, having shaved the hairs, foment twice, thrice, or oftener, with warm water, in which has been boiled myrtle, bramble, or lentil, or bitter lupines, or the root of asparagus. When the ichorous discharge is greater, apply a cataplasm of the leaves of willow, with water, or of lentil. The ointments used should consist of Cimolian, Cretan, or Samian earth, or pompholyx, or spodium, or litharge, or cadmia, or burnt paper, or the powder from pepper. All these are to be applied with vinegar. We may use the following smegma: Of sulphur, of the herb perdicias, and soap, of each equal parts. The following are compound applications: Of litharge, dr. xvj; of the leaves of rue, dr. viij; of the stavesacre, dr. iv; of copperas, dr. ij; with vinegar and myrtle oil; make to the consistence of bath-sordes, and anoint with it.—Another: Of sandyx (calcined ceruse?), dr. iv; of myrrh, dr. iv; of native sulphur, dr. ij; of manna, dr. iv; rub into the part with old oil.
For achores. When they discharge ichor, triturate the dross of silver, or yellow ore of lead (molybdœna), and sprinkle upon them.—Another, for achores and humid psora: Of the roses of the rhododaphne, oz. iv; of native sulphur, oz. iv; of liquid pitch, oz. iij; of dry pitch, oz. iij; of wax, oz. vj; of myrtle oil, q. s. For children, dissolve in milk, and anoint.
For fici. We give the name of fici to ulcerous excrescences which are round, somewhat hard, red, and accompanied with pain. They arise for the most part on the head, but also sometimes on the other parts of the body. The best application for this complaint consists of fissile alum, of the calcined flowers of copper, of taurocolla, of each equal parts, with double the quantity of the flakes of copper; triturate with vinegar, and anoint. A proper application is also prepared from the burnt heads of the cackrel fish, the bulbi boiled, and their ashes mixed with vinegar.