Celsus: On Medicine, Vol. III

and having set forth those things which occur in any part of the body, I shall pass on to those which have their own proper seats.

1. Displacements original: "Luxata"; note: This word is used by Latin writers to mean displacements or dislocations, though Celsus may here be referring to injuries from blows such as boxing., therefore, in whatever part of the body they are, should be treated as soon as possible by frequently incising the skin with a scalpel where the pain is, and by wiping away the flowing blood with the back of the blade. But if help is brought a little too late and there is already redness, if swelling has also been added where the body is red, wherever 2 it is, this is the best help. Then repressing agents must be applied on top, especially raw wool soaked in vinegar and oil. If the case is lighter, they can be cured even without the scalpel by applying the same; and if there is nothing else, ash, especially from vine cuttings (if that is not available, any other kind), mixed with vinegar or even water, is also effective.

2. This is indeed prompt, but in those cases where a condition arises from an internal fault and swells up, looking toward suppuration, the business is greater. I have stated elsewhere that all such types are abscesses, and I have described the medicaments suitable for them; now it remains to say what must be done by hand in these same cases. Therefore, before they harden, it is necessary to incise the skin and apply a cupping glass original: "cucurbitulam", to extract whatever corrupt matter has collected there; this is correctly done again on the third day, until