Problemata (Problems)

And regarding round ulcers original: "στρογγύλων ἑλκῶν" (strongylōn helkōn); and those that are not of such a kind, as we said next. For this reason, it happens that scarring epoulōsis: the process of a wound closing and forming a scar original: "ἐπούλωσιν" becomes easy in the case of shapes that possess an angle original: "γωνίαν". This is because, once again, the [tissues of the] bodies are closer to one another.

And [in the round ones], these factors contribute nothing to the scarring. For the most part, scarring begins from the edges, insofar as it is most assisted by the adjacent tissues. But in round ulcers, because the parts stand at an equal distance from one another on all sides, they are in no way able to come together to aid the scarring; thus, this process occurs slowly.

16 Just as we have set forth regarding the parts at the extremities of the body, so too it is with the hollows. For in those places as well, we must consider what the necrosis nekrōsis: the death of living tissue, often associated with gangrene in ancient medical texts original: "νέκρωσις" is and what its cause might be.

We know that the extremities are in a state of exposure original: "ἀφυλαξίᾳ" (aphylaxia); meaning a lack of protection or vulnerability to the environment, and because of this, they undergo necrosis; whereas the hollow parts [suffer] because of the abundance of moist matter within them. And for this reason, they undergo necrosis: the hollows, due to the excess of moisture original: "ὑγρότητα" in them.

ulcers, scarring, necrosis, round, angle, body, moisture, cause