How is this Caries or Gangrene of the Bone discover'd, when it lies hid under the Flesh?
It is known by the black Colour of the Neighbouring Flesh, the Stink of the Sanies that comes forth, the intolerable Pains felt thereabouts, which are fix'd and continual before the Impostume and Ulcer appear; but when the Ulcer is made, a kind of roughness may be perceiv'd in the Bone.
R E M E D I E S.
What are the Remedies proper for a Gangrene?
They are those that take away the mortify'd and corrupt Parts, and recall the Natural Heat; both which Indications are exactly answer'd in the Extirpation of what is already corrupted, with the Incision-Knife; and the Restauration of the Natural Heat by the following Remedies.
Take an Ounce of good Vinegar, steeping therein a Dram of White Vitriol, with as much Sal Ammoniack: Let it be us'd in bathing the Part; and apply thereto Bolsters well soak'd in the same Liquor. This Remedy is convenient in the first Disposition toward a Gangrene: Or, if you please, you may make use of the Yellow Water, which is made with Corrosive Sublimate and Lime-Water; taking, for Example, half a Dram of Corrosive Sublimate to be infus'd in a Pint of Lime-Water.
But a Tincture of Myrrh and Aloes is more efficacious, wherein Unguentum Ægyptiacum is steep'd; or else Lime-Water kept for that purpose, in which have been boil'd two Ounces of Sulphur or Brimstone, with two Drams of Mercurius Dulcis; adding four Ounces of Spirit of Wine, to make an excellent Phegedænick Water, with which the Part may be bathed, and the Bolsters soak'd.
If the Gangrene passeth to the Bone, the Ulcer must be immediately cleans'd with Brandy, and Euphorbium afterward put into it, laying also some upon the Bolsters, and
abstaining from all sorts of Oils and Greases. But if these Remedies prove unprofitable, recourse is then to be had to the Incision-Knife, Fire, or Amputation; the manner of performing which several Operations, is explain'd hereafter.