A Bubo is a swelling that appears on a venereal infection, sometimes in one, sometimes in both groins. This swelling proceeds either from a transposed virus, or comes as the first messenger of a venereal infection.
A bubo appears with symptoms of a heavy dull pain in the groin, which on examination discovers itself with a little kernel that is painful to the touch: If left to itself it gradually encreases both in bulk as well as in pain, and at length forms a collection of matter.
The moment a bubo appears, take a purge, No. [IX]. rub the part in the groin with mercurial ointment, and spread a mercurial plaister the bigness of a crown-piece, which, (the hair being removed,) lay on the part; let it remain on, till it separates from the skin, and the swelling is dispersed; the patient should be kept warm, and not have much exercise; at the same time the body should be kept open.
By this means the bubo will soon disperse, and the virus be destroyed in its first bud. But if it has already gained too much head to be dispersed, and matter is formed, it becomes larger and soft, and a fluctuation of matter is felt, then suppuration must be promoted; and when ripe be opened as soon as possible, for an outlet of the matter.
When it is come to its maturity, (that is the matter plainly perceived,) open it and dress it like an ulcer, first with the ointment, No. [I]. and when it discharges pretty well, dress it with the ointment, No. [XXII].
By this management, though easy, you will not fail of success.
Of Swelled Testicles.
The venereal virus is liable to attack the testicles, which makes one of the most disagreeable circumstances of all venereal diseases; sometimes one, and sometimes both will be the seat of this complaint.
It begins with a heavy dull pain, attended with a disagreeable tightness in the spermatic vessels, leading from the testicle into the bowels. Gradually the testicle swells, becomes hard and grows very painful, and if not timely remedied, a suppuration, or a scirrhus, or even a gangrene and sphacelus, may be the consequences.
The moment the pain in the testicles is perceived, remove the hair all round the scrotum, and apply a mercurial plaister spread upon leather; over which put a suspensorium, and tie it up to the body as tight as it can be borne; which together with a purge, No. [IX]. will not fail of giving immediate relief.