Part 2
In the first place it should be known in what sort of a place they
are formed. For cutting, excising, sewing, binding, applying putrefacient
means to the anus,-all these appear to be very formidable things,
and yet, after all, they are not attended with mischief. I recommend
seven or eight small pieces of iron to be prepared, a fathom in size,
in thickness like a thick specillum, and bent at the extremity, and
a broad piece should be on the extremity, like a small obolus
1. Having
on the preceding day first purged the man with medicine, on the day
of the operation apply the cautery. Having laid him on his back, and
placed a pillow below the breech, force out the anus as much as possible
with the fingers, and make the irons red-hot, and burn the pile until
it be dried up, and so as that no part may be left behind. And burn
so as to leave none of the hemorrhoids unburnt, for
[p. 352]you should burn
them all up. You will recognize the hemorrhoids without difficulty,
for they project on the inside of the gut like dark-colored grapes,
and when the anus is forced out they spurt blood. When the cautery
is applied the patient's head and hands should be held so that he
may not stir, but he himself should cry out, for this will make the
rectum project the more. When you have performed the burning, boil
lentils and tares, finely triturated in water, and apply as a cataplasm
for five or six days. But on the seventh, cut a soft sponge into a
very slender slice, its width should be about six inches square. Then
a thin smooth piece of cloth, of the same size as the sponge, is to
be smeared with honey and applied; and with the index finger of the
left hand the middle of the sponge is to be pushed as far up as possible;
and afterward wool is to be placed upon the sponge so that it may
remain in the anus. And having girded the patient about the loins
and fastened a shawl to the girdle, bring up this band from behind
between the legs and attach it to the girdle at the navel. Then let
the medicine which I formerly said is calculated to render the skin
thick and strong, be bound on. These things should be kept on for
not less than twenty days. The patient should once a day take a draught
from flour or millet, or bran, and drink water. When the patient goes
to stool the part should be washed with hot water. Every third day
he should take the bath.
