Medicina practica, or, Practical physick shewing the method of curing the most usual diseases happening to humane bodies ... : to which is added, the philosophick works of Hermes Trismegistus, Kalid Persicus, Geber Arabs, Artesius Longævus, Nicholas Flammel, Roger Bachon and George Ripley : all translated out of the best Latin editions into English ... : together with a singular comment upon the first book of Hermes, the most ancient of philosophers : the whole compleated in three books / by William Salmon ...

CHAP. XVI. Of Deafness.

I. YOu ought to consider whether there be a perfect deafness, or a diffi∣culty of hearing only: If the deafness be perfect, so that the Patient can hear no∣thing, no not the very beat∣ing of Drums, nor the noise of Guns, or Cannon, the Tym∣panum, or Drum of the Ear, may be supposed to be bro∣ken; and therefore the Di∣sease to be incurable: In this case you ought to at∣tempt nothing; for you will reap nothing but Dis∣grace: But if with much ga∣ping, hollowing, or making a noise, the Patient can hear you, there is hopes, and you may hopefully make a trial.

II. If Deafness is either attended, or begun, with Pain, it is either through a sharp Vapour, or Matter, offending the Part: In this case, according to the Rule of Hippocrates, Sect. 4. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 48. you ought to evacuate by vomit: For Diseases (as he saith in another place) are to be discharged by the part next to them; and to be drawn out by that part that has a pas∣sage nearest to them. In Li∣bro de Affectibus, he advises, That if pain arises in the Ears, to wash in much hot water, and apply a fomentation to the Ears, that the Phlegm may be attenuated, and the pain eased; but if it cease not yet, an emetick Potion is then best to be used.

III. There are many kinds of Vomits prescribed by Physicians, as the Vinum Benedictum, Vinum Antimo∣niale, Aqua Benedict a Rulands, and a great many more of that kind, which, without doubt, may be profitably given: But there is no Vo∣mit, which I ever met with∣al, has out done, nay, scarce∣ly

equalled my Caetharticum Argenteum, which may be given from two Scruples to a Dram, in a little Posset∣drink, or Ale; or in place thereof, you may give from four to six Grains, of our Im∣petus Mineralis, in a little Conserve or Syrup, taking a large quantity of warm Broth after it.

IV. Now this is to be un∣derstood when the seat of the Phlegm, and cause of the Pain is above; but if it lies lower, or vomiting does no good, cooling things must be dropt in, and that actually cold, as Juice of Plantane, Fumitory, and the like; and a Potion or Pills must be given that purge downwards: Our Vinum Catharticum is here of excel∣lent use, if you give a Poti∣on; but if the Sick loaths a Potion, and you desire to use Pills, our Pilulae Mirabiles, are admirable, given from twenty Grains to half a Dram: If any thing can be said to exceed them, it is the Pilula Lunaris, given to six Grains; which I have several times given with success, even in this case, See these Medicines in my Phylaxa Med. Lib. 2. Cap. 59, 61, 62.

V. You ought also to con∣sider, whether the Pain and Deafness proceeds from a hot or cold cause, though what proceeds only from those simple Intemperatures, seldom lasts long; yet you ought to have some respect to them, because hot Me∣dicines in a hot Tempera∣ment influence the Body, as cold Medicines in a cold Temperament chill it, and so make the Disease worse.

VI. Though Opiates are accounted ill in a Deafness, yet if the Pain attending be very acute or sharp, there will be a necessity to dis∣pense with the Ill, for the Good that may ensue: And this is an Observation wor∣thy of remarking, That though Opiates are apt (if not to cause deafness, yet) to confirm or continue it, those ill effects seldom last much longer than the ta∣king of the Medicine: I have known some Patients

of mine, who being a little deaf afore-hand, upon libe∣rally taking of Opiates, have had their deafness seemingly very much augmented, yet upon the giving over the use of the same, have had their Hearing return again to satisfaction, and that with the advantage of grea∣ter acuteness; whereby it appears that Opiates do no essential injury to the Or∣gans of Hearing.

VII. If any Matter runs from the Ear, looking like the Matter of an Ulcer, you must be cautious how you use Repellers, lest the Mat∣ter strikes inward, or be driven to the Brain; (there∣by endangering an Apople∣xy,) or part of the Matter be dried and hardened in the cavity of the Ear, whereby not only greater Dangers may ensue, but at least the hazard of an incurable Deaf∣ness: And the same thing is to be understood in a critical Evacuation, or where the Matter is thick and tough, or there be an Aposteme breeding.

VIII. If the Pain and Deafness proceeds from a cold Cause, you may inject Juice of Onions into the Ear, or Goats or Sheeps Urine. Or this: Take Juice of Onions three Ounces, Spirit of Wine one Ounce; mix them, and drop it into the Ear, or inject it with a Syringe. Or this: Take Boys Urine new∣made two Ounces, Spirit of Wine one Ounce, in which six Grains of Camphire is dissol∣ved; mix, and inject it. These are excellent Medi∣cines in a cold Cause, and seldom fail, at least of giving ease.

IX. But if a hot Cause be present, though things absolutely cold may be given, yet hot things must positively be forborn; and things of an equal tempera∣ture are to be administred, such as these following: Take choice Canary four Ounces; Spirit of Wine one Ounce; Nitre in Pouder two Drams; mix, and drop it into the Ear. Or this: Take Juice of Plantane two Ounces; Juice of Purslane one Ounce; Juice

of Lettisce half an Ounce; Spi∣rit of Wine an Ounce and half; mix them. Or this: Take Juice of Cucumbers two Oun∣ces; Spirit of Wine one Ounce; mix them, to be dropt into the Ear.

X. If with the Deafness and Pain, there seems to be an Apostemation, Faventinus his Cataplasm of roasted or baked Onions, are usual to be applied. Or you may ap∣ply this: Take Pulp of roasted Onions, Mithridate, ana an Ounce; Saffron in Powder one Scruple; Spirit of Wine Gut. Thirty; mix, and apply it hot to the Ear. If it proceeds from a cold cause, it will warm and comfort the part, and hasten the Maturation of the Aposteme, if any be: If it proceeds from a hot Cause, it will open the pores of the parts adjacent, and cause a discussion of the Pain, and thin Matter offending. Or you may apply this: Talk Pulp of roasted or baked Onions two Ounces; our 〈◊〉〈◊〉 half an Ounce; Powers of Amber forty drops; mix, and apply it:

XI. In a Deafness, accom∣panied with vehement Pain, so as the Patient can take no rest, it is good to carry off the Matter with proper Medicines. I commonly give in this case some Doses of my Family-Pills: But if the Pain be extream indeed, then two or three Doses of my Pilulae Mirabiles, and ac∣cording as occasion requires, repeat the Dose five or six times, for they insensibly melt and dissolve the Mat∣ter causing the Pain, or make it fluid and movable; and then carry it off by stool: But withal Topicks ought to be applied in the mean season, to dispose the Matter in some measure to a Cure; such as this: Take Mithridate, or our Antidote, one Ounce; Balsam of Sul∣phur half a Dram; mix, and apply it.

XII. If the Ear once runs, you must promote the run∣ning of it, which may be done with Externals, after this manner: Take of our Antidote one Ounce; Balsam de Chili two Drams; Balsa∣mum

Arthriticum one Dram; mix, and apply it. You may also inject this in∣to it, which very much pro∣motes the Hearing: Take Venice Turpentine half an Ounce; Yelk of one Egg; grind them together in a Brass Mor∣tar very well; then add new Canary eight Ounces; Spirit of Wine two Ounces; mix for an injection. In the mean sea∣son let the sick be well pur∣ged with our Vinum Cathar∣ticum, at least five or six times; I have found it to be a Specifick in this case, and does that which an hundred seeming greater Medicines will not touch or come near.

XIII. I remember I had once a Patient, who had a Deafness, accompanied with so vehement Pain, that or∣dinary Remedies, whether inwards, or Topicks would do no good; and all Eva∣cuations by internal means, rather augmented the Pain; I was at length forced to give a Dose of my Volatile Laudanum; the sick began with three Grains, and in∣creased, it gradually 'till it came to seven Grains: This brought upon the Patient a large Diaphoresis, upon which they had some ease in a day or two's time, and in five or six days perfect ease; but the Deafness seemed to be greater: The Ear was wa∣shed with Spirit of Wine twice a day; and in about a Weeks time after the gi∣ving over the Opiate, the Hearing perfectly returned, which had been in a man∣ner lost for seven or eight Months before. After all, I purged the Patient with two or three Doses of Fa∣mily Pills.

XIV. I had a Patient, a Woman about fifty years of Age, who had been very deaf for above a year, and at times very much afflicted with Pains in her Ears: I cured her in about six Weeks time, by continually droping into her Ears, four or five times a day, our Guttae Vitae; and sometimes likewise gi∣ving her about fifty or sixty drops of it inwardly, in a Glass of Wine, at night go∣ing to bed.

XV. If an Inflammation be present, it may be aba∣ted by putting into the Ear Vinegar, mixt or ground with Oil: And though Vi∣negar alone would put the Part (especially nervous Parts) to pain, by its Acri∣mony, yet mixt or ground with Oil, and in a small quantity, it becomes harm∣less, and eases the Pain, al∣laying the heat and fierce∣ness of the bilious Humor.

XVI. An ancient Gentle∣woman, having a noise and ringing in her Ears, and sometimes a little pain, was cured by dropping into them once or twice a day, our Aqua Bezoartica, and stopping them with Cot∣ton dipt in the same; it dis∣sipated the flatulent Mat∣ter offending, and comfor∣ted the weakned Nerves.

XVII. Where Deafness is joined with vehement pain, and no Internals nor Topicks have yet been able to do good, there is a neces∣sity to apply Visicatories; for by this means a great quantity of the acid Humor, causing the Pain, and coa∣gulating the approximate Juices, inducing the Deaf∣ness, will be taken in a great measure away; and that is done many times with one Blister, which forty Purges and Vomits would not so well accomplish; the Suc∣cess of which, (having often tried this means,) I could not but commend to the Consideration of Artists.

XVIII. Whatever Medi∣cines you put into the Ear, be sure they be warm, (un∣less some great occasion re∣quire the contrary,) but not very hot; because the na∣tural temperature of the Ear is cold and dry: And be sure you put no new Medicine in, 'till they are cleansed from the filth of the former: The Sick ought to lie on the contrary side; and the Me∣dicament put in, ought not to exceed four or five drops at a time. The less unctu∣ous the Medicament is, so much the better; for when it is gotten into the Laby∣rinth of the Ear, it comes not easily out again: Things

more subtil and spirituous, are much to be preferred in this case, because they do their Work, and then go a∣way in Vapor.

XIX. Dropping in Things into the Ears may do, but syringing is much better, provided it be done with a fit Instrument, and a skil∣ful Hand: You ought not to syringe violently, but lei∣surely; lest by such a vio∣lence, the Tympanum should be broke, which would cause an incurable Deaf∣ness. Moreover, you ought to be very careful how you apply Topicks, 'till Univer∣sals are premised, though the afflux of the evil Humors be first abated.

XX. The passage of the Ear being very sensible, you must be careful that you use not sharp Things; yet Wallaeus boldly attempted the use of Unguentum 〈◊〉〈◊〉; and he saith, that therewith he cured a sore Ear that ran with purulent Matter for the space of eight years. And Petrus Johannes Faber saith, That Nitre dissolved in strong Vine∣gar, and often dropped into the Ears, quickly cures any ringing or noise in them.

XXI. Galen advises Opium dissolved to be put into the Ear; and Paulus dissolves it in Milk for that purpose: But these may be dangerous. If an Opiate be required, there is nothing better of that kind, than our Guttae Vitae, or Spiritus Anodynus; for by reason of the heat of the Spirit, and other Things joined with the Opium, the Optate can do no hurt; whereas otherwise it might stupifie, and much encrease the Deafness, and may de∣stroy the Instruments of Hearing. However, Opiates of any kind must be given, if the Sick be in danger of death by the Pain; because the saving of the Life of a Patient, is much greater than the Hurt, should it be a total and perpetual Deaf∣ness.

XXII. If 'tis certain there is an Aposteme, Authors say, You may use Juice of Crow∣foot, 'tis much commended;

but 'tis scarcely safe, because 'tis very hot and corrosive. If the Bone that is covered with the thin Membrane, be comes carious after such Suppuration, you must often drop into the Ear Spirit of Wine mixt with Honey of Roses. Marcellus saith, That Cows Milk two Ounces mixt with Honey one Ounce, being dropt into the Ear, and the Ear stopt presently with Wool or Cotton will won∣derfully heal the Ulcer, yea, though it were cance∣rous.

XXIII. Crato's Medicine for a Noise and Tingling of the Ears: Take bitter Al∣monds blanched an Ounce; White Hellebore, Castoreum, ana two Drams; Costus one Dram and half; Rue two Scruples, Euphorbium half a Dram; boil all in a sufficient quantity of Water for an hour, over a gentle Fire; then strain, and drop of it warm into the Ear three or four times a day.

XXIV. Sennertus advises to this: Take Ox-Gall, Goats Gall, Juice of Onions, ana four Ounces; Vinegar Twelve Ounces; mix, and put them over a Chafing-dish of good live Coals, and let the boiling Fume be taken up the Ear, through a Funnel.

XXV. A Deafness which had been of many years con∣tinuance, I cured with the Powers of Anniseedss drop∣ping them into the Ear; but I purg'd the Patient four times with my Pilulae Mirabiles; and drew several Blisters, both behind the Ears, and on other Places adjacent thereto.

XXVI. A poor Man had lost his Hearing, (as some thought by the Pox) falling into an Empericks hand, he cured him by fluxing him with the following Medi∣cine: Take Turbith Mineral eight Grains; Mithridate one Dram; mix for a Dose. It raised an effectual Flux, which continued twenty four Days; after which, the Patient heard as well as ever he did in all his life. Some may wonder at the Success, because that some have

wholly lost their Hea∣ring, or had it mightily de∣praved by this kind of Ope∣ration. But this is not to be wondred at, since that in some Bodies such Sulphurs abound, as are not only able to fix the Mercury, but also to condense or coagulate it, which mixt with the Hu∣mors (as it will be, if much of it be used,) coagulates or thickens all the morbifick Matter contained in the part, whereby the Organs or Passages are more firmly obstructed than before, and a perpetual Deafness suc∣ceeds.