C H A P. II.
Of the general Method to be observ'd in the curing of Tumours.
What ought a Surgeon chiefly to observe in Tumours, before he undertake their Cure?
He ought to know three things, viz. 1. The Nature or Quality of the Tumour. 2. The
time of its formation and 3. Its situation: The Quality of the Tumour is to be known, because the Natural one is otherwise handl'd than that which is Encysted, Critical or Malignant. As for the time of its Formation, it is four-fold, viz. the Beginning, Increase, State, and Declination, wherein altogether different Remedies are to be apply'd. The Situation of the Tumour must be also observ'd, because the dressing and opening of it ought to be as exact as is possible, to avoid the meeting with an Artery or neighbouring Tendon.
How many ways are all the Tumours that are curable, terminated?
They are terminated after two manners, viz. either by dissolving 'em, or by Suppuration.
Are not the Scirrhus and the Esthiomenus or Gangrene, two means that sometimes serve to terminate and cure Impostumes?
Yes, but it is done imperfectly, in regard that a Tumour or Impostume cannot be said to be absolutely cur'd, as long as there remains any thing of the Original Malady, as it happens in the Scirrhus, where the Matter is harden'd by an imperfect dissolving of it, or when the Impostume degenerates into a greater and more dangerous Distemper, as it appears in the Esthiomenus or Gangrene that succeeds it.
Which is the most effectual means of curing Impostumes, that of dissolving, or that of bringing them to Suppuration?