Laudator Temporis Acti

Claudian, Against Eutropius 2.11-19 (tr. Maurice Platnauer, modified):

When the body is overwhelmed by long-standing disease, 'tis all in vain that thou makest use of healing medicines. When an ulcer has penetrated to the marrow of the bones, the touch of a hand is useless; steel and fire must repair the place, that the wound heal not on the surface, apt to re-open at any moment. The flame must penetrate to the quick to make a way for the foul humours to escape; in order that, once the veins are emptied of corrupted blood, the fountain-head of the evil may be dried up. Nay, even limbs are amputated to assure the healthy life of the rest of the body.

                                veteri post obruta morbo
corpora Paeonias nequiquam admoveris herbas.
ulcera possessis alte suffusa medullis
non leviore manu, ferro sanantur et igni,
ne noceat frustra mox eruptura cicatrix.        15
ad vivum penetrant flammae, quo funditus umor
defluat et vacuis corrupto sanguine venis
arescat fons ipse mali; truncatur et artus,
ut liceat reliquis securum degere membris.