Epoch-making books in British surgery. IV, The whole course of chirurgerie compiled by Peter Lowe, Scotchman / by Sir D'Arcy Power, K.B.E., F.S.A.

  • D'Arcy Power
Date:
1928
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Epoch-making books in British surgery. IV, The whole course of chirurgerie compiled by Peter Lowe, Scotchman / by Sir D'Arcy Power, K.B.E., F.S.A. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    9/14 (page 537)
    The chapter on varicose veins is equally good and practical. It is headed, “ Of the tumor in the veins of the legs called Varicse”. “ Varix is a dilatation of the vein greater than natural, which happeneth in divers parts of the body, as temples, belly, under the navel, on the testicles and matrix but chiefly in the legs, which is sometime one vein, sometime divers together, full of thick, burnt, melancholick blood letting [preventing] action of the place. The cause is abundance of the melancholick humor, vehement exercise as leaping, wrestling, carrying of great burthens, strokes, falls, torments and such like. The signs may be seen by the greatness of the veins, which commonly are blacker than the natural ; The judgements, those that are intern are incurable and not to be touched. The cure is diversely set down by divers authors, some counsel to incise them in divers places according to the circumvolution and let them blood, then to close up and bind the wound as in other bloodings, resting that day and if they swell again do the place with a little ink the skin above the vein, thereafter take up the skin with thy hands and incise in the midst thereof; thendet it go, that the vein may be seen and pass two needles as in the varicose hernia. Let it bleed a quantity and knit it. Let the thread fall off of itself without drawing it by force and cure the wound as others.'’ We are indebted to Mr. Annan, of Glasgow, for the photograph of the monument of Maister Peter Lowe in St. Mungo’s churchyard.