Tumor means an abnormal swelling or growth in the body. Classically, Tumors were divided into Each of the 4 Humors in the Western Tradition.

• Phlegmone from Blood humor–their key signs being Redness and Inflammation. This class includes Bubo, Carbuncles, Furuncle, Rosacea etc.
• Erysipelas from Bile humor–signified by Heat, Burning and Itching. It includes Herpes, Shingles, Lupus, Pruritus, Burns etc.
• Edema from Phlegm humor–soft, pale and edematous. They include Edema, Water Swellings, Scrofula, Nodes and Ganglions.
• Scirrhus [Fibroids] from Melancholy–cold, hard with dull or dark color. They include Fibroids, Leprosy, Morphew and Cancer.

Each type is treated as appropriate to the Humor. In addition, the various qualities can help differential diagnosis of diseases such as Eczema. That with Burning and Itching being from Bile Humor, that with Redness and Inflammation being associted with Blood Heat, while that with Oozing are caused by Phlegm.

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See also

Fibroids
Cancer

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Special Formula

TUMORS FROM PHLEGM
    Hyssop
    Dodder
    Calamint
    Sage,                ½ handful ea.
    Aniseed
    Fennel seed    1 dram ea.
    Elecampane
    Orris
    Licorice
    Polypody          ½ dram ea.
    Rosemary flower
    Sage flower
    Betony flower 1 pugil ea.
    Juniper             1 dram
    Bay berry         2 drams
    Water               4 lbs.
Boil to half, and aromatize with Clove and Cinnamon, 2 scruples each, and add sugar 2 oz.
To purge more strongly, add Rhubarb 1 dram, Agaric half dram, Senna 1 oz. (Libellus de tumoribus, 1556)

PILLS FOR PHLEGM TUMORS
    Pills of Agaric
    Pills of Colchicum
    Pills of Fumitory, of each 1 scruple
Mix with Syrup of Fumitory and form 9 pills.