kurāru (GIR.GIG, GIG.GIR) "carbuncle, pustule": the name of a skin condition that often affected the head. It is usually translated as "carbuncle" or "pustule", based on its apparent use as a descriptive term with the primary meaning "ember" that presumably lent itself to denote similarly looking pus-filled blisters on the surface of the skin. Kurāru is extensively discussed in the fourth chapter of Cranium, alongside other skin conditions that could affect the head. In addition, it occurs in a recipe in the second chapter of Eyes, which shows that kurāru could also affect the eyelids. Based on the verb describing the appearance of this skin condition, kurāru could "seize" (Akk. ṣabātu) the patient's head, whereas the intended outcome of the therapy is couched in the phrase ana nasāḫi "in order to remove". Treatments for this condition include externally applied medicaments in the form of ointments and bandages. Sometimes different methods were combined to achieve the best possible result, as in Cranium 4, BAM 494 iii 24′–28′, which records a complex three-day-long treatment, the main goal of which is to ripen the boil through the application of an elaborate set of bandages, scattered dry substances and alcoholic rinses, and to remove the accumulated pus in the morning of both the second and third day.
[1] Cranium 4, BAM 494 iii 21′: in order to remove the kurāru boil
[2] Cranium 4, BAM 494 iii 24′: if a man's head has been seized by kurāru boil
[3] Cranium 4, BAM 494 iii 42′: if a man's head has been seized by kurāru boil
[5] Cranium 4, BAM 494 iii 45′: if a man suffers from kurāru boil
[6] Cranium 4, BAM 494 iii 54′: over the kurāru boil
[7] Cranium 4, BAM 494 iii 65′: over the kurāru boil
[8] Cranium 4, BAM 494 iii 75′: wording of five spells for removing the kurāru boil
[9] Eyes 2, BAM 515+ ii 36: you scrape off the surface of the kurāru boil of his eyelids
[10] STT 99 obv. 6′: in order to remove the kurāru boil
[11] BAM 156 obv. 25: if a man's head has been seized by kurāru boil
[12] BAM 156 rev. 1: you scrape off his kurāru boil in the morning
[13] BAM 3 i 48: if a man suffers from kurāru boil
[15] BAM 34 ln. 5′: wording of a spell to remove the kurāru boil
[16] AO 11447 obv. 42: ′: if a man suffers from kurāru boil
[17] AO 11447 obv. 48: ′: if a man suffers from kurāru boil