practised nor known by the ancients, The method we 

 how use of treating the fistula lacrymalis, a cure so 

 nice and difficult, is precisely tl:at of the ancients, 

 with the addition that Fabricius made of the caanula 

 for applying the cautery. 



5. " As to the real caustic, which makes a consi- 

 derable article of surgery, although Casteus, Fienus, 

 and Severinus, have written amply on that subject, 

 yet it is evident from a single aphorism ofHippocrates, 

 that this great physician knew the use of it as well as 

 those who have come after him ; and besides, it is fre- 

 quently spoken of in the writings of all the other an- 

 cients, who without doubt used it with great success 

 in many cases where we have left it off, or know not 

 how to apply it. The cure of the varices by incision, 

 scarcely so much as made mention of now, appears to 

 have been a familiar practice among the ancients, as 

 is manifest from the works of Celsus and Paulus EgU 

 nelus ; and whoever is conversant in the treatment of 

 Taricous ulcers, will agree that this operation is abso- 

 lutely necessary for the effectual cure of them. The 

 polypus of the ear is a malady so little understood by 

 the moderns, that we meet but very rarely with th* 

 Dame of it in their writings ; and yet the description of 

 its cure has cot been omitted by the ancients. They 

 were entirely well acquainted with all kind of frac- 

 tures and luxations, and the means of remedying them, 

 as well as with all the sorts of sutures in use amongst 

 us, besides many which we liave lost. And though 

 some have advanced that cauteries were unknown to 

 them, we may easily convince ourselves of the contra- 

 ry, by observing what Celsus and Caelius Aurelianus 

 have said of then 1 , allowing withal that they seem not 

 to have known our method of placing and continuing 

 them, 



(>. u Nor ought I to omit what is so manifest that 

 obody will deny it, that all sorts of amputations, aa 

 of lifO&f> breasts, foe* were performed ai&ong them ;i* 



