The Kitchin-physician, or, A guide for good-housewives in maintaining their families in health wherein are described the natures, causes, and symptoms of all diseases, inward and outward, incident to the bodies of men, women, and children : prescribing natural, useful and proper medicines, both in physick and chirurgery, as well for the prevention as speedy cure of the said distempers : adorned with sculptures ... / published for the common good ... by T.K., Doctor in Physick.

58. For to prevent hollowness of the Teeth.

Hold in the morning under your tongue, a course large corn of Bay-salt, let it melt, and rub your Teeth therewith. After that you have used all Remedies, it will be good for the preservation of the Teeth, to rub them oftentimes with Roots of Marsh-Mallo's, by which means they will be smooth and bright: these Roots are especially useful, for they make the gums fast, and leave a good smell behind. When you prepare them, you shall cut the Roots off four or five fingers long; if they are gross and thick, then you shall cut them through again in the length, for to make thereof pieces that are of the thickness of a little finger: next you shall let them boil six hours in clean water, with Salt,

Allum, and root of Flower-de-luce; at last you shall dry them, which must be done quickly, and not slowly, lest they rot; therefore you shall put them in a hot Oven if it be in winter-time, when you cannot have the benefit of the Sun.