Of Medicine, in Eight Books

by Aulus Cornelius Celsus

If there are also foul ulcers, it is better to wash them with mulse; and after that, some one of the compositions mentioned above, that contains honey, is infused. If the pus flows more plentifully, in that case, the hair of the head is to be clipped close, and plenty of warm water poured over it; also gargarisms must be used, and walking to lassitude, with a sparing diet. If blood likewise appears from the ulcers, lycium with milk ought to be infused; or a decoction of roses in water; with the addition of the juice either of blood herb, or acacia.

But if a fungus has grown upon the ulcers, which is fetid, and discharges blood, it ought to be washed with tepid water; and after that, the composition infused, which is made of frankincense, verdigrease, vinegar, and honey; or honey boiled with verdigrease. Copper scales too with sandarach, powdered, is proper to be dropped in by a pipe.

Of worms in the ears.

When worms are generated there, if they be within reach, they must be drawn out with a specillum oricularium[(10)], if farther in, they must be killed by medicines; and means used to prevent the breeding of more. White hellebore powdered with vinegar, answers both these intentions. The ear ought to be washed also with a decoction of horehound in wine. Thus, the worms being killed slide down into the entrance of the ear, from whence they may be taken out with very great ease.

Obstructions in the ears.

If the orifice of the ear be straitened, and a thick sanies is contained within, the best honey ought to be put into it. If that does little good, to a cyathus and half of the best honey must be added of rasile verdigrease p. ii. *. which are to be boiled together, and made use of. Iris also with honey is good for the same purpose. Likewise of honey and oil of roses two scruples. Also of galbanum p. ii. *. myrrh with honey, and ox-gall, each p. ii. *. wine a sufficient quantity to dilute the myrrh.

Dulness of hearing.

When a person grows dull of hearing, (which most commonly happens after long pains of the head) in the first place, it is proper to inspect the ear itself. For there will appear either a crust, such as grows upon ulcers, or a collection of the cerumen. If there is a crust, either warm oil must be infused, or verdigrease with honey, or juice of leek, or a little nitre with mulse. And when this crust falls forward, it must be washed with tepid water, that after it has fairly disengaged itself it may be the easier pulled out by the specillum oricularium. If there be cerumen, and this is soft, it must be taken out with the same instrument. But if it be hard, vinegar, and a little nitre with it must be injected; and when it is softened, the ear should be washed in the same manner, and cleansed. And if a heaviness of the head remain, the hair must be clipped, and the head gently rubbed, but a long time, with the oil of iris or laurel, and with either of these may be mixed a little vinegar: then the patient must take a long walk, and after anointing, foment the head gently with warm water; and make use of food of the weakest and middle class, and more especially take diluted drinks; sometimes use gargarisms. Into the ear must be infused castor, with vinegar and laurel oil, and the juice of radish rind, or the juice of wild cucumber, with the addition of rose leaves powdered. The juice also of unripe grapes infused with oil of roses, is pretty good against a deafness.

Of a noise in the ears.