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Diagnosis and Treatment: Syphilis, Page 2

Re-enactor Reggie with fake syphilitic facial blotches

Symptoms

"There are other Symptoms of this Disease, as a Pale Face, a Sallow Wan Complexion, great Pains in the Head, Aches in the Limbs, chiefly between the Shoulders, and along the Shin-bones, which are more apparent and troublesome in the Night than by Day, insomuch that the Patient is utterly deprived of his Rest, and is wearisome and uneasie in all his Labours and Exercises. Now if all these Symptoms concur with those abovementioned, as a Sore Throat, Blotches in the Face, Ulcers in the Privities, Buboes and a Gonorrhæa, you may certainly conclude that your Patient is Pox'd, and the Disease is at the height; for these Signs are manifest Declarations of Pond he has been fishing in, though his own Confession is also necessary to a more speedy and solemn Cure." (Purmann, page 194)

"Now for a Confirmed Morbus Venereus.
When the malignant and venomous Ferment has injected the blood, in so much that the spots appear; and likewise the Bones, so that Nodes are present; and phagadenick Ulcers are in the Mouth and Throat, and in divers parts of the Head and Body, with grievous Head-ach and night pains. This is a Confirmed Pox [syphilis]." (Moyle, p. 143)

Cure - Outward Medicines

"The Methods of Cure are various, for every one has some particular Nostrum that he seems to rely upon, beyond the common Practise: However, I shall accommodate you with the best Directions, either for Inward or Outward Medicines to expel this venomous Infection; both which way are performed by Mercury, particularly prepared for this Encounter, which is the only Medicine that can be depended on, in order to a successful Cure: Let some Men rail against it as long as they please, they do but discover their own Ignorance and want of Experience; for when all is done, nothing but Mercury is absolute Conqueror of this Disease. I shall begin with the External Cure by Unction, which in the Learned Dr. Sydenham's Opinion also, is the best and most certain way of all that are practised.

Merucry Symbols, John Woodall, the surgions mate, page 248

When you have resolved upon Fluxing your Patient [this means causing him to salivate], first give him a good Purge, and next day anoint the joints of the Hands and Feet, Morning and Evening with the following Unguent.

Rx. Mercur. viv. {ounce}vi. Terebinth. pur. {ounce}iiii.

Strain the Mercury through Leather, and then incorporate it with the Turpentine in a Stone Mortar, till they are perfectly united, to which add the following Ingredients.

Axung. Porcin. {ounce}iss. Unguent. Nervin. {ounce}I Ol Lign. Rhod. butt. xv. Misce exactissim. ad  Unquent. s.a.

After this, I think it needless to insert other Formula's because it may be depended on, I having tryed it above an hundred times in our Hospital at St. Job [how appropriate], besides which what use I have made of it in other places. With this Ointment let the Patient rub himself very well near a Fire, but let him not use above an Ounce or two at a time, and remember to cover the Joints with Paper or Linnen Rags. The second day, if the Patient is very much infected, you may anoint the Joints of his Arms and Knees again, Morning and Evening as before. The like you may do the third day, and if he does not begin to Spit, repeat it the fourth day, and then it will operate. In all this time you must diligently watch your Patient's Mouth, to see when the Flux begins to rise; for in some it begins on the second day in the Evening, and in others on the third day in the Morning, and as soon as it rises give over anointing him; but if he doth not flux till the fourth or fifth day, you must continue it till that time. When it's long before it begins, you may assist it, by giving your Patient Mercurium dulcis {grain}xv. or as I use to do, 4 or 5 grains of Terbith Minerale, which soon procures a Flux.

The Chamber where the Patient is kept, must be close and tolerably warm, that no cold or sharp Air may injure him, his Drink must be a good Decoction of Lign. Guiac. &c.  and his Food of easie Digestion. The Flux going on well, take care you do nothing to check it; Syringe his Mouth with a cleaning Gargarism, and keep the Teeth and Gums clean with a Pencil. If he is troubled with Ulcers, you must not plaister them up, but only wash them with the Decoction which the Patient drinks, or some proper Vulnerary Water, for they will go off with the Flux. If you apprehend that the Flux continues too long, give the Patient a gentle Purge, let him drink Beer again, use an Astringing Gargarism, change the Sheets of his Bed, and then it will cease.

However though the Flux has gone off very well, yet the Patient must be purged well afterwards, and sweated four or five times in Balneum Laconicum with Spirit of Wine, that none of the Mercury or the Disease may remain behind. This being done, let the Patient change his Room, his Bed, and not put on his Cloaths till they are well cleaned and aired, and if the Ulcers are not perfectly whole, apply a good Oppodeldoth Plaister on them. But if the Bones are foul or rotten, you must scrape them well, and then cleanse them with Phlegm of Vitriol, for before this is done they will never heal; and so much for Unction." (Purmann, pages 194-5)

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