[83.] Chironian.) So called, says Paulus Ægineta, because it requires a very great physician, such as Chiron. Lib. iv. cap. 46.
[84.] These are the methods prescribed by physicians.) This translation is agreeable to the reading of the most ancient editions, particularly Nicolaus, Pinzi, Junta, and Aldus. Quæ cum medici doceant, quorundam rusticorum, &c. In Linden and Almeloveen the passage has a quite different turn: Quæ cum medici doceant, ab iis requirenda. Quorundam, &c.—That is, ‘These being the methods prescribed by physicians, they will be best practised under their direction.’
[85.] Leaven.) The common leaven for bread among the Romans was paste worked up without salt, and boiled after the manner of pulticula, then suffered to stand till it turned sour. Plin. lib. xviii. cap. 11.
[86.] From its figure, our authors call it panus.) Panus, a clue or ball of wool or yarn; πη̃νος, or πα̃νος the Greeks used in the same sense, but did not apply it, as the Romans did, to this tumour.
[87.] The same applications.) I have here followed the reading of Pinzi Manut. Ruell. Stephens and Morgagni’s MS. autem for aut, and tantum modo for tantummodo. Morgagni, Ep. vi. p. 156.
[88.] If it does not slip out, &c.) Almeloveen and Linden read, si non dilabitur sede, qua innititur; whereas the prior editions wrote, si non labitur, sede quale innititur; i. e. ‘if it does not slide, but rests upon a smooth surface.’ This Morgagni[ JL ] likes much better, as agreeable to Celsus himself, who adds, si inæquale quoque et asperum, &c, that is, in the first case where the probe rested, but upon a plain surface, the caries was but little advanced; whereas under the following appearances it was more considerable.
[89.] Collyrium.) This name, at present, is appropriated to medicines designed for the eyes; in which sense the ancients also used it. But they gave it a greater latitude, to denote likewise a composition of powders brought to a consistence by some liquid, and formed into something like a tent, of various sizes, according to the cavities it was designed for. Thus Scribonius Largus orders a collyrium of the bigness of a pine kernel, to be introduced into the anus, Cap. xxxvii. comp. 142.
[90.] Which is more ulcerated. Quæ magis exulcerata est.) Several of the ancient editions read quia for quæ, that is, ‘Because it is more ulcerated.’
[91.] Spreads wide.) This whole passage was very much corrupted in the old editions. We are obliged to Linden for several corrections in it; but he reads this part Proceditque et latet, that is, It spreads and conceals itself. As this can hardly be the meaning of the author, I read Procedit latè, which is in Pinzi, Junta, Aldus, and others; only I take the liberty of expunging et.