Their difference are various, according to the part wounded, which ought to be restored with the same flesh.

The softer then, and tenderer the place is, the gentler let the medicines be.

CHAPTER XII

Of glutinative Medicines

That is the true cure of an ulcer which joins the mouth of it together.

That is a glutinative medicine, which couples together by drying and binding, the sides of an ulcer before brought together.

These require a greater drying faculty than the former, not only to consume what flows out, but what remains liquid in the flesh, for liquid flesh is more subject to flow abroad than stick to together.

The time of using them, any body may know without teaching, viz. when the ulcer is cleansed and filled with flesh, and such symptoms as hinder are taken away.

For many times ulcers must be kept open that the sanies, or fords that lie in them may be purged out, whereas of themselves they would heal before.

Only beware, lest by too much binding you cause pain in tender parts.

CHAPTER XIII

Of Medicines resisting poison

Such medicines are called Alexiteria, and Alexipharmaca, which resist poison.

Some of these resist poison by astral influence, and some physicians (though but few) can give a reason for it.

These they have sorted into three ranks:

1. Such as strengthen nature, that so it may tame the poison the easier.

2. Such as oppose the poison by a contrary quality.

3. Such as violently thrust it out of doors.

Such as strengthen nature against poison, either do it to the body universally, or else strengthen some particular part thereof.

For many times one particular part of the body is most afflicted by the poison, suppose the stomach, liver, brain, or any other part: such as cherish and strengthen those parts, being weakened, may be said to resist poison.

Such as strengthen the spirits, strengthen all the body.

Sometimes poisons kill by their quality, and then are they to be corrected by their contraries.

They which kill by cooling are to be remedied by heating, and the contrary; they which kill by corroding, are to be cured by lenitives, such as temper their acrimony.

Those which kill by induration, or coagulation, require cutting medicines.