Problemata (Problems)

... and they are not fitting??

Why are circular sores harder to heal than others?

The authorities original: "προφίλιοι" (prophilioi); likely referring to earlier medical writers or a specific group of practitioners provide the cause by using a geometric proof. For they say that the circular shapes of sores helkē: ulcers or open wounds appear small in their circumference; it must be so, yet it is necessary to consider the area they cover. For that which appears larger requires more time for scarring over epoulōsin: the final stage of healing where a scar forms. Thus, it is reasonable that such sores appear hard to heal, since they look small, even if in truth they are not so, but are actually larger in surface area.

Regarding those who cut the margins original: "κληπιάδας" (klepiadas); referring to the edges or lips of a wound at an angle; these parts beneath the circular sore divide the adjacent tissues; so that from the additional incision the shape of the sore becomes larger once again. Yet, the scarring would then occur faster. This, however, is contrary to the opinion of Cephalion Cephalion was an ancient medical writer often cited in later surgical texts regarding the length or depth of the sore; likewise...

A large circular library stamp from the Vatican Apostolic Library is placed at the bottom center, featuring the papal tiara and crossed keys.