The Compleat Surgeon Part 19

_What is a _Polypus_?_

It is an Excrescence of fungous Flesh arising in the Nostrils: But _Hippocrates_ confounds the _Carcinoma_ and _Sarcoma_ with the _Polypus_, of which he says they are only a _Species_.

_What is the _Natta_?_

It is a Tumour or Excrescence of Flesh that appears in the b.u.t.tocks, Shoulders, Thighs, Face, and every where else, the various Figures {125} of which cause it to be call'd by different Names. For one while it resembleth a Gooseberry, at another time a Mulberry, and at another time a Melon or Cherry. Sometimes also these Swellings are like Trees, Fishes, Birds, or other sorts of Animals, according to the ardent desire that Women with Child have had for things that they cou'd not obtain when they longed for 'em.

_What are the Remedies proper for the _Polypus_, and other kinds of Excrescences of the like Nature?_

The _Polypus_ may be cur'd in the beginning, but it is to be fear'd lest it degenerate into an incurable Cancer, when it hath been neglected or ill dress'd.

Besides the general Remedies, which are letting Blood a little, and reiterated Purgations, with an exact Regulation of Diet, there are also particular Medicaments which dry up and insensibly consume the Excrescence; as a Decoction of Bistort, Plantain, and Pomegranate-Rinds in Claret-Wine, which is to be snuff'd up the Nose many times in a Day, and serves to soak the small Tents that are put up therein, as also often to cool the Part, adding a little Allum and Honey.

The Patient must sometimes likewise keep in his Mouth a Sage-Leaf, sometimes a piece of the Root of Pellitory of _Spain_; and at another time Tobacco or some other thing of this Nature, which causeth Salivation. If the Tumour continues too long, and doth not yield to the above-mention'd Remedies, it is necessary to proceed to a Manual Operation, {126} which is very often perform'd with good Success.

As for the _Natta's_, it is most expedient not to meddle with 'em at all; nevertheless these Marks which Infants bring along with 'em into the World, are frequently defac'd by an Application of the After-Burdens, whilst they are as yet warm, as soon as their Mothers are deliver'd.

_What is a Cancer?_

It is a hard, painful, and ulcerous Tumour, produc'd by an adult Humour, the Malignity whereof can scarce be suppress'd by any Remedies.

_How many sorts of Cancers are there?_

There are two kinds, _viz._ The Primitive and the Degenerate; the Primitive Cancer is that which comes of it self, and appears at first about the bigness of a Pea or Bean, which nevertheless doth not cease to cause an inward Pain, continual, and p.r.i.c.king by intervals; during this time it is call'd an Occult Cancer; but when grown bigger, and open'd, it bears the Name of an Ulcerated Cancer; which is so much the less capable of being cur'd or a.s.swag'd, as it makes it self more conspicuous by its dreadful Symptoms, or concomitant Circ.u.mstances.

The Degenerate Cancer is that which succeeds an obstinate and ill-dress'd Tumour or Impostume, and which becomes an Ulcerated Cancer, without a.s.suming the Nature of a blind or occult one.

_What Remedies are requisite to be apply'd to a blind Cancer?_ {127}

In regard that it cannot be known in this Condition without difficulty, it is often neglected; nevertheless it is a Matter of great Moment to prevent its Consequences, more especially by a good Diet, and by general Remedies, which may gently rectifie the intemperature of the Bowels: Afterwards Baths may be prescrib'd, together with the use of Whey a.s.ses-Milk, and Specificks in general, as Powders of Crab's Eyes, Vipers, Adders, and others. As for Topical Remedies, none are to be administer'd, except it be judg'd convenient to apply to the Tumour a Piece of Lead rubb'd with Quick-silver; all others serving only to make the Skin tender, and apt to break. The Patient may also take for his Drink Water of _Scorzonera_ and Hart's-Horn, with the Flowers of Bugloss or Borage, and Liquorice: Or else Quick-silver-Water alone, boiling an Ounce of it in a Quart of Water every time, the Quick-silver always remaining at the bottom of the Vessel.

_What are the Remedies for an ulcerated Cancer?_

Besides the general ones, that are the same with those of the blind Cancer, there are also Topical, which may take place here. The Powders of Toads, Moles, Frogs, and Crabs calcin'd, cleanse the Ulcers perfectly well. A Decoction of Vipers and Crabs may serve to bath 'em, and some of it may be taken inwardly. Detersives made of Lime-Water, or Whey clarify'd, and boil'd with Chervil are very good; and (if you please) you may add Camphire or _Saccharum Saturni_. {128}

If the Pains grow violent, recourse is to be had to _Laudanum_, one or two Grains whereof may be given in a little Conserve of Roses. When the Cancer is situated in the Glandules or Flesh, the Extirpation of it may also be undertaken with good Success.

As for the manner of handling Degenerate Cancers, respect must be always had to the kind of Tumour, from whence it deriv'd its Original.

CHAP. IV.

_Of b.a.s.t.a.r.d or _Encysted_ Tumours._

_What is an _Encysted_ or b.a.s.t.a.r.d Tumour or Impostume?_

It is that which is made of a Setling of mixt and corrupt Humours, the Matter whereof is contain'd in certain proper _Cystes_ or Membranous Bags.

_What are the kinds of these Tumours?_

They are the _Steatoma_, the _Atheroma_, the _Meliceris_, the Wen, the _Bronchocele_, and the _Scrophula_ or King's-Evil.

_How is the difference between these Tumours discern'd?_

The _Steatoma_ is known by its Matter resembling Suet; as that of the _Atheroma_ resembleth Pap; and that of the _Meliceris_ is like Honey: These three Tumours cannot be well distinguish'd on the outside, in regard that they do not change the natural Colour of the Skin, which {129} equally retains in all three the print of the Fingers that press it. But the _Bronchocele_ is discover'd by the Place and Part which it possesseth; that is to say, the Throat; as also by its somewhat hard consistence without the Alteration of the Skin. The _Scrophulae_ or King's-Evil Swellings are known by their unequal Hardness, and their situation in the Glandules, either in the Neck, Arm-pits or elsewhere, without alteration likewise of the Skin.

_REMEDIES._

_Want is the Method to be observ'd in curing these sorts of Tumours?_

An Attempt is to be made to dissolve 'em, as in all the others; nevertheless the safest way is to bring 'em to Suppuration, and to extirpate the _Cystes_, which are apt to be fill'd again after the Dissipation of the Humour.

_What are the Medicines proper to dissolve these Tumours?_

They are all such as may be us'd for the _Oedema_ and _Scirrhus_; but the Specificks or particular Remedies are these:

Take Rosemary, Sage, Wormwood, Elder, great Celandine, Camomile, Melilot, St. _John_'s-Wort, and Tobacco; boil 'em in White-Wine with Soot and Mercurial Honey, adding, thereto c.u.mmin-seeds beaten, and _Oleum Lumbricorum_, to make a Cataplasm, which is to be renew'd twice a Day.

Afterward if the Tumour be not dispers'd, you may apply the following Plaister, which hath an admirable Effect. {130}

Take an equal Portion of the Plaister of _Diachylon_, _Devigo_, and four times as much _Mercury_, and _Emplastrum Divinum_; let 'em be dissolv'd together; then intermix Saffron, and Oil of Tobacco, to make a Plaister with the whole Ma.s.s, which may be spread upon thin Leather, and apply'd to the Tumour, without taking it off only once every eighth Day, to cool it; so that it must be laid on again after having wash'd and bath'd the Part with warm Urine or Brine.

But it is to be always remember'd that external Remedies take effect only imperfectly, unless they are a.s.sisted by internal, such as in this case are reiterated Purgations, join'd with a regular Diet.

_What are the Remedies proper to excite Suppuration?_

To this purpose those may be us'd that serve in other kinds of Tumours: But as for the extirpation of the _Cystis_, it is done by dividing the Tumour into four Parts, by procuring Suppuration, and by consuming the Bag by little and little. The _Bronchocele_ alone will not admit this Extirpation, by reason of the great Number of Nerves, Veins, and neighbouring Arteries amidst which the Tumour is settl'd. However _Bronchotomy_, or opening the Throat, may be perform'd; which is an Operation peculiar to this Tumour.

{131}

CHAP. V.

_Of Critical, Malignant, Pestilential, and Venereal Tumours and Impostumes._

_What difference is there between Critical, Malignant, Pestilential, and Venereal Tumours?_

It consists in these particular circ.u.mstances, _viz._ that Critical Tumours or Impostumes are indifferently all such as are form'd at the End or Termination of Diseases, in whatsoever Place or Part they appear.

Malignant Impostumes or Tumours are those that are obstinate, and do not easily yield to the most efficacious Remedies.

Pestilential Impostumes or Tumours are those that are accompany'd with a Fever, Swooning, Head-ach, and Faintness: They usually arise in the time of a Plague or Pestilence, and are contagious.

Venereal Tumours or Impostumes are those that appear only at the bottom of the Groin, and are the product of an impure _Coitus_.