Paul (VI. xxiv and III. xxiii) says that foreign bodies may be sucked from the ear with a reed.
Quill.
Greek, πτίλον.
Galen (x. 1011) says that warts may be extracted by means of quills of feathers.
Paul quotes this (VI. lxxxvii):
‘Some, among whom are Galen, advise us to scarify round the wart with the quill of a hard feather, such as those of old geese or of eagles, and to push it down so as to remove the wart from its roots. Others do the same with a copper or iron tube.’
Aretaeus says a quill may be used for blowing powder into the pharynx (408, vol. ii).