[p. 335]sore dry, and then indeed
you may apply them. The ulcer is to be frequently cleaned with a sponge,
and then a dry and clean piece of cloth is to be frequently applied
to it, and in this way the medicine which it is supposed will agree
with it is to be applied, either with or without a bandage. The hot
season agrees better than winter with most ulcers, except those situated
in the head and belly; but the equinoctial season agrees still better
with them. Ulcers which have been properly cleansed and dried as they
should be, do not usually get into a the state. When a bone has exfoliated,
or has been burned, or sawed, or removed in any other way, the cicatrices
of such ulcers become deeper than usual. Ulcers which are not cleansed,
are not disposed to unite if brought together, nor do the lips thereof
approximate of their own accord. When the points adjoining to an ulcer
are inflamed, the ulcer is not disposed to heal until the inflammation
subside, nor when the surrounding parts are blackened by mortification,
nor when a varix occasions an overflow of blood in the part, is the
ulcer disposed to heal, unless you bring the surrounding parts into
a healthy condition.
Part 3
Circular ulcers, if somewhat hollow, you must scarify all along their
edges, or to the extent of half the circle, according to the natural
stature of the man. When erysipelas supervenes upon any sore, you
must purge the body, in the way most suitable to the ulcer, either
upward or downward. When swelling arises around an. ulcer, and if
the ulcer remain free from inflammation, there will be a deposit of
matter in process of time. And whatever ulcer gets swelled along with
inflammation and does not subside as the other parts subside which
became inflamed and swelled at the same time, there is a danger that
such an ulcer may not unite. When from a fall, or in any other way,
a part has been torn or bruised, and the parts surrounding the ulcer
have become swelled, and, having suppurated, matter flows from the
swelling by the ulcer, if in such cases a cataplasm be required, it
should not be applied to the sore itself, but to the surrounding parts,
so that the pus may have free exit, and the indurated parts may be
softened. But when the parts are softened as the inflammation ceases,
then the parts which are separated are to be
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