A double Trepan is to be made, and apply'd on each side of the Suture, by reason of the overflowing of the Blood, which may happen therein.
What Method ought to be observ'd in the curing of the Wounds of the Head, and Fractures of the Skull?
In simple Wounds of the Head, it is necessary only to make use of Balsams, and to lay over 'em Emplastrum de Betonica. When there is a Contusion either in the
Pericranium, or in the Skull, the Wound must be kept open till after the Suppuration or Exfoliation.
When there is only a Bunch without any Wound or Accident, it must speedily be dissolv'd with Plaister or Mortar, Chimney-Soot, Oil of Olives, and Wine, laid upon the Part between two Linnen-Rags; or else with Soot, Spirit of Wine, and Oil of St. John's-Wort, wherein the Bolsters are soakt, to be in like manner apply'd with a Band.
Wounds of the Head accompany'd with a Fracture, absolutely require the application of the Trepan, wherein it is requisite to make use of Oil of Turpentine to be dropt upon the Membrane of the Brain; or else Spirit of Wine mingled with Oil of Almonds, and not with the Oil or Syrrup of Roses; and to endeavour to cause a plentiful outward Suppuration.
Besides, it must not be neglected to enjoyn the wounded Person to be let Blood both before and after the Operation, if he hath a Fever or a Plethory; and more especially it is to be remember'd to cause his Body to be kept open at least every other Day, with Clysters, obliging him to keep a good Diet, and to avoid all violent Agitations both of Body and Mind, abstaining from eating Flesh till the Fourteenth Day. All manner of Venery and Conjugal Embraces, which prove fatal at this time, are to be prohibited during forty Days, to be counted from the Day of the Operation; as they are also in all other considerable Wounds.