For these reasons, it is proper to give internally white hellebore, and that even frequently, till they be discussed; and externally to apply medicines which may either draw out the humour, or discuss it; such as have been mentioned before. Some also make use of caustics, which eat down and constringe the part with an eschar; and then treat it like an ulcer. Whatever method of cure be pursued, when the ulcer is clean, the body must be exercised and nourished, till it come to a cicatrix. These are the methods prescribed by physicians[(84)]: but the experience of some peasants has discovered, that eating a snake cures a scrophulous patient.
Of a furuncle.
A furuncle is an acute tubercle, attended with inflammation and pain; and especially when it is just turning to pus. When this is opened, and the pus is discharged, part of the flesh below appears converted into pus, part corrupted, of a whitish colour, and reddish; which some call the ventricle of the furuncle. There is no danger in it, though no means be used for its cure, for it maturates of itself, and breaks. But the pain makes a medicine, that can hasten the cure, eligible.
The proper medicine for it is galbanum, but other things have also been mentioned before. If none of these can be had, the first application ought to be a plaister not greasy, to repel it; then if that has not succeeded, something to promote a suppuration. If that cannot be got, either resin or leaven[(85)]. When the pus is squeezed out, no further cure is necessary.
Of phymata.
The name of phyma is given to a tubercle resembling a furuncle, but rounder, and flatter in the surface, and often larger. For a furuncle seldom rises to the bulk of half an egg, and never exceeds it: a phyma is commonly of greater extent; but the inflammation and pain in it are less. When it is broken, the pus appears in the same manner; no ventricle is found here, as in the furuncle; but all the corrupted flesh is turned into pus. Now this grows more frequently in children, and is more easily cured; in young men it occurs more seldom, and is more difficult to cure: when age has given firmness to the body, it does not appear at all. The proper medicines for discussing it have been mentioned before.
Of a phygethlon.
A phygethlon is a low, but broad tumour, in which there is something like to a pustule. The pain and tension are violent, and greater than in proportion to the size of the tumour; sometimes also attended with a slight fever. It ripens slowly, and no great part of it is converted into pus. It is formed chiefly either in the neck, or in the armpits, or the groin. From its figure our authors call it panus[(86)]. The proper medicine for this also we have pointed out before.
Of abscesses.