A R T I C L E IV.
Of a Scirrhus, and its peculiar Remedies.
What is a Scirrhus?
It is a hard unmoveable Tumour, almost altogether void of Pain, and of a livid dark Colour; which is form'd of a Melancholick Humour, frequently succeeding Phlegmons and Oedema's that have not been well dress'd with convenient Remedies.
How is a Scirrhus cur'd?
By mollifying or dissolving it, and seldom by bringing it to Suppuration.
It may be mollify'd by the application of a Cataplasm or Pultis, compos'd of the Leaves of Violet-Plants, Mallows, Beets, Elder, Rue, and Wormwood, with Camomile-Flowers,
Horse-Dung, Cow-Dung, and White Lillies. The whole Mass is to be boil'd together in Wine, afterward adding Honey and Hogs-Lard, to make a Cataplasm thereof with the Crum of White Bread.
It is dissolv'd with Plaisters compos'd of those of Diachylon, Melilot, and Mucilages, to which is added Oleum Lumbricorum, and Flower of Brimstone. To render the Remedy more effectual, Oil of Tobacco may be also mixt with it, and Gum Ammoniack dissolv'd in Vinegar.
Furthermore, these Topical or outward Medicines are to be accompany'd with others taken inwardly, which serve to prepare the Humours for convenient Evacuations; Such are Crab's-Eyes, the Decoctions of Sarsaparilla, the use of good Wine, and light Meats of easie Digestion.