Besides the general Remedies, which are letting Blood a little, and reiterated Purgations, with an exact Regulation of Diet, there are also particular Medicaments which dry up and insensibly consume the Excrescence; as a Decoction of Bistort, Plantain, and Pomegranate-Rinds in Claret-Wine, which is to be snuff'd up the Nose many times in a Day, and serves to soak the small Tents that are put up therein, as also often to cool the Part, adding a little Allum and Honey.
The Patient must sometimes likewise keep in his Mouth a Sage-Leaf, sometimes a piece of the Root of Pellitory of Spain; and at another time Tobacco or some other thing of this Nature, which causeth Salivation. If the Tumour continues too long, and doth not yield to the above-mention'd Remedies, it is necessary to proceed to a Manual Operation,
which is very often perform'd with good Success.
As for the Natta's, it is most expedient not to meddle with 'em at all; nevertheless these Marks which Infants bring along with 'em into the World, are frequently defac'd by an Application of the After-Burdens, whilst they are as yet warm, as soon as their Mothers are deliver'd.
What is a Cancer?
It is a hard, painful, and ulcerous Tumour, produc'd by an adult Humour, the Malignity whereof can scarce be suppress'd by any Remedies.
How many sorts of Cancers are there?
There are two kinds, viz. The Primitive and the Degenerate; the Primitive Cancer is that which comes of it self, and appears at first about the bigness of a Pea or Bean, which nevertheless doth not cease to cause an inward Pain, continual, and pricking by intervals; during this time it is call'd an Occult Cancer; but when grown bigger, and open'd, it bears the Name of an Ulcerated Cancer; which is so much the less capable of being cur'd or asswag'd, as it makes it self more conspicuous by its dreadful Symptoms, or concomitant Circumstances.
The Degenerate Cancer is that which succeeds an obstinate and ill-dress'd Tumour or Impostume, and which becomes an Ulcerated Cancer, without assuming the Nature of a blind or occult one.
What Remedies are requisite to be apply'd to a blind Cancer?