Of Medicine, in Eight Books

by Aulus Cornelius Celsus

As for the ulcers themselves, if their progress be moderate, they must be fomented with hot water; if more rapid, with hot wine. Next wherever there are any pustules, they must be opened with a needle. Then such applications used, as may consume the putrid flesh. When the inflammation is removed, and the ulcer cleansed, a lenient medicine ought to be applied. In the second species, quinces boiled in wine and bruised may do good; as likewise the plaister of Hera, or the tetrapharmacum, with the addition of a fifth part of frankincense; likewise black ivy boiled in a rough wine, and if the disorder spread fast, nothing is more efficacious. When the ulcer, which I observed to be in the surface of the skin, is cleansed, the same lenient medicines are sufficient to the cure.

Of the Chironian ulcer.

The ulcer named Chironian[(83)] is large, and has hard, callous, and swelled lips. A sanies is discharged not copious, but thin; the smell is bad. There is no inflammation either in the ulcer or in the tumour about it. The pain is tolerable. It does not spread, and therefore is not dangerous; but it does not easily heal. Sometimes a thin cicatrix comes on, and then breaks again, and the ulcer is renewed. It occurs chiefly in the feet and legs.

The application to it ought to contain both something lenient, and something strong, and repellent. Such as the following composition made for the purpose: of copper scales, calcined lead washed, each p. vi. *. cadmia, wax, each p. viii. *. oil of roses a sufficient quantity to soften the wax with the other ingredients.

Of ulcers occasioned by cold.

There is a kind of ulcer occasioned by the cold of the winter. It is most common in children, chiefly in their feet and toes, sometimes also in their hands. There is a redness with a moderate inflammation. Sometimes pustules break out, which are followed by an ulceration. The pain is not great, the itching greater. Sometimes a humour is discharged, but in small quantity, which seems to resemble either pus or sanies.

In the first place it must be fomented plentifully with a hot decoction of turnips, or if these are not to be had, some of the repellent vervains. If it is not yet ulcerated, copper, as hot as a person is able to bear it, must be applied. When it is already ulcerated, allum, powdered with an equal quantity of frankincense, ought to be put to it, with the addition of wine; or pomegranate bark boiled in water, then beat. If the surface of the skin be excoriated, in that case lenient medicines succeed best.

Of the scrophula.

The scrophula is a tumour, in which there are formed some concretions of pus and blood, resembling small glands. These are extremely troublesome to physicians, because they both generate fevers, and never maturate kindly; and whether they be cured by incision or medicines, for the most part they rise again close to the cicatrices; which they are much more ready to do, after being treated with medicines; and what is more, they are of long continuance. They grow chiefly in the neck; but also in the armpits, the groin and the sides. Meges the surgeon assures us, that he has met with them in the breasts of women too.