[18.] Vulsella.) This instrument is delineated by Scultet. Arm. Chirurg. tab. 4. fig. 1.
[19.] Cicatrix is formed. Fit cicatrix.) I find no variety in any of the copies, which I have seen. The sense however seems to require crusta instead of cicatrix; because the caustic medicines would produce an eschar, whereas no cicatrix would be formed, till the eschar cast off, and the ulcer was deterged and incarned.
[20.] Consumed either by stronger medicines, &c.) This is agreeable to the reading of the older editions—Si hac ratione non tollitur: vel medicamentis vehementioribus, vel ferro adurendum est.—Linden and Almeloveen have it thus: Si hac ratione non tollitur, vel aliis medicamentis similibus, vel vehementioribus: ferro adurendum est. That is, ‘If it is not removed by this method, or like medicines, or stronger, it must be burnt by the actual cautery.’ Which, Morgagni[ JN ] justly observes, besides the incongruity of recommending similar medicines after the first have failed, alters the sense much for the worse.
NOTES TO BOOK VII.
[1.] Physician makes a wound.) An English reader may naturally suppose that the term should be surgeon; but as our author here uses the word medicus, I did not think myself at liberty to depart from it; especially as his not using chirurgus was from choice, since this word occurred in the preceding paragraph. Celsus supposes an accomplished physician acquainted with all the branches.
[2.] Nevertheless, it is not right to trust, &c.) In this translation I have followed Linden and Almeloveen. But the reading in most of the old editions, as Nicolaus, Pinzi, Junta, Aldus, Gryphius, &c. is Neque tamen fas non est nihil cucurbitula agere; that is, ‘Yet it is not an inviolable rule always to employ the cupping-vessel.’ Which I must own, appears most agreeable to the sense of this place; because our author immediately proceeds to consider a case, in which cupping can be of no service. See Morg. Ep. vi. p. 151.
[3.] Even before the suppuration is formed.) I have here followed the old reading, tum pure quoque maturior hæc interdum esse consuevit, which seems to agree better with our author’s reasoning; for as he had just blamed Meges for introducing the new term callus instead of tunica, without necessity; so he adds, that he was mistaken also in believing that it was never found but inclosing an old collection of matter. He on the contrary says, that it sometimes appears before the generation of pus. Linden and Almeloveen read tum, pure quoque maturiore, hæc interdum esse consuevit; that is, ‘And this is found, even when the suppuration is more ripened.’ Whether the connexion of this with what went before be natural, the reader may judge for himself. I do not know but these learned editors may have put another sense upon maturiore, when the suppuration is sooner ripened: which would be pretty much the same with the old reading. However the first is preferred by Morgagni, Ep. vi. p. 152.
[4.] Lest convulsions follow, which may debilitate, &c.) This translation is agreeable to the reading in Linden and Almeloveen; but all the older editions read thus, ne vel distendantur hi, vel membrum debilitent; i. e. ‘Lest either convulsions follow, or the limb be disabled.’ And this appears the more probable, as one of them might happen without the other following. And so it is quoted by Fabricius ab Aquapendente.