Chapter 24

is concerned with the treatment of the polypus that grows in

the nose. The various kinds (including cancer growth), shapes, and colors of this type tumor and its treatment by surgery or medicine are described. A hollowed nose-dropper made of metal in the shape of a small kerosene lamp[22] is suggested (fig. 9). The dropper is held by its handle while its contents are heated before use. Applying heat to nose drops was probably proposed because it serves two purposes: it allows easier flow of the "duhn," or the fatty substance used, and it raises the temperature of the drops to that of the body.

In his discussion on dental hygiene,[23] al-Zahrāwī describes scrapers and dental forceps for teeth cleaning and extraction (figs. 10, 11) and brings in a few points of historical interest.[24] He warns of the common error of extracting the adjacent healthy tooth instead of the ailing one due to the patient’s sense deception. For a gargle he prescribes salt water, vinegar, and wine (sharāb). To stop hemorrhage he used blue vitriol (al-zāj)--copper sulfate in our modern terminology.

In