When these means do not succeed, and there is reason to suspect a scrofulous or cancerous habit, either of which may support a schirrous induration, after a venereal poison is corrected, the parts should be fomented daily with a decoction of hemlock, the bruised leaves of which may likewise be added to the poultice, and the extract at the same time taken inwardly.[[6]] This practice is strongly recommended by Dr. Storck in schirrous and cancerous cases; and Mr. Fordyce assures us, that by this method he has cured diseased testicles of two or three years standing, even when ulcerated, and when the schirrous had begun to be affected with pricking and lancing pains.
[6]. The extract of hemlock may be made into pills, and taken in the manner directed under the article Cancer.
OF BUBOES.
Venereal buboes are hard tumours seated in the groin, occasioned by the venereal poison lodged in this part. They are of two kinds, viz. such as proceed from a recent infection, and such as accompany a confirmed lues.
The cure of recent buboes, that is, such as appear soon after impure coition, may be first attempted by dispersion; and, if that should not succeed, by suppuration. To promote the dispersion of a buboe, the same regimen must be observed as was directed in the first stage of a gonorrhœa. The patient must likewise be bled, and take some cooling purges, as the decoction of tamarinds and senna, Glauber’s salts, and the like. If by this course the swelling and other inflammatory symptoms abate, we may safely proceed to use the mercury, which must be continued till the venereal virus is quite subdued.[[7]]
[7]. For the dispersion of a Bubo, a number of leeches applied to the part affected will be found equally efficacious as in the inflamed testicle.
But if the buboe should, from the beginning, be attended with great heat, pain, and pulsation, it will be proper to promote its suppuration. For this purpose the patient may be allowed to use his ordinary diet, and to take now and then a glass of wine. Emollient cataplasms, consisting of bread and milk softened with oil or fresh butter, may be applied to the part; and, in cold constitutions, where the tumour advances slowly, white lily roots boiled, or sliced onions raw, and a sufficient quantity of yellow basilicon, may be added to the poultice.
When the tumour is ripe, which may be known by its conical figure, the softness of the skin, and a fluctuation of the matter plainly to be felt under the finger, it may be opened either by a caustic or a lancet, and afterwards dressed with digestive ointment.
It sometimes, however, happens that buboes can neither be dispersed nor brought to a suppuration, but remain hard indolent tumours. In this case the indurated glands must be consumed by caustic; if they should become schirrous, they must be dissolved by the application of hemlock, both externally and internally, as directed in the schirrous testicle.