The practice of physick in seventeen several books wherein is plainly set forth the nature, cause, differences, and several sorts of signs : together with the cure of all diseases in the body of man / by Nicholas Culpeper ... Abdiah Cole ... and William Rowland ; being chiefly a translation of the works of that learned and renowned doctor, Lazarus Riverius ...

THE THIRD BOOK OF THE PRACTICE OF PHYSICK. Of the Diseases of the Ears. (Book 3)

The PREFACE.

THe Ears as Galen sheweth in 1. de symp. caus. cap. 2. have divers Diseases simi∣lary, organick, and common; which because they are not to be known, but by their Symptomes, I determine to reduce them into a Series of Symptomes. The symptoms in the Ears either are such as come from the Action hurt, or the fault of the Excrements. The Action is hurt either in the Ear alone, or in all instruments of Sence. The Action proper to the Ear, namely, Hearing, is hurt by being aboli∣shed or diminished and depraved. It is abolished by Deafness, diminished by thickness of Hearing, depraved by a noise in the Ears. The Action common to all the Instruments of Sence, is Feeling, by which they are subject to pain. The fault in the Excrement is seen by all those things which come preternatur ally out of the Ear. So this whol Book hath four Chapters. The first is of Deafness and thick Hearing. The second of noise in the Ears. The third of pain in the Ears. The fourth of those things which preternaturally come forth of the Ears.

Chap. 1. Of Deafness, and thick or dull Hearing.

WEE comprehend Deafness and thick Hearing in one Chapter, because they come of the same Causes, differing only in Degrees, so that when they are great they take the Hearing quite away; when less, they diminish it: And both these are called vulgarly Deafness; for they who can∣not hear any but such as speak very loud, are called deaf folk.

But Surditas properly, or Deafness, is called in Greek Cophosis, when the Hearing is totally gone; so that the Patient either heareth no noise, or if he do, he cannot distinguish it. These are often dumb if they are born so; not only because men learn to speak by Hearing; but by reason of the great consent that is between the Instruments of Hearing and Speaking by the Nerve of the fifth Conjugation, whose chief Branches are brought to the Ears, but some of them reach to the Tongue

and Throat; whence •••• is, that when the inner Ear is pulled, there is a cough raised; and the reason is plain, for they who are born deaf, if they had their Instruments of Speech corrupted, would by a Natural instinct send forth some Articulate voyce; as other Creatures, although they are kept from their birth, from other Creatures of the same kind, so that they never hear them, yet they produce their connatural voyce; but men born deaf never sent forth an articulate voyce, but only a confused sound, which argueth a manifest hurt of those parts which serve for Speech. Now the hurt of those parts is chiefly from humidity, which affecting that Nerve which goeth to the Ears, Tongue, and Throat, must needs hinder both Speech, and Hearing.

Thick Hearing is called in Greek Baruecoia; and they who are so hear difficultly, and understand not what men say, except they speak very loud: Others cannot hear so wel, and not except the spea∣kers whoop and hallow in their Ears.

Both these Diseases come from the distemper of the Brain or Ears.

A cold distemper of the Brain, or repletion, or weakness, or some other hurt in that part, especial∣ly in which is the rise and progress of the Hearing Nerve, may cause Deafness or thick Hearing.

The Diseases of the Ears are either in the inside or the outside thereof.

In the exterior Cavity, a perfect or an imperfect stoppace from a Tumor, Imposthume, or Blood, Matter, Flegm, and other things coming either from within or without, may cause a defect in the hearing. But you must observe, that the stoppage of the external passage cannot make a perfect and ab∣solute Deafness, but only thick hearing, because sounds may be carried by the mouth also, to the Ears. For there is an open way from the internal Cavity of the Ear to the Pallat, by which sounds do easily pass, and insinuate themselves into the Ears; and this passage is made for the purging of the Ears. And many Experiments do shew that a sound may pass through the open mouth to the Ears. We may observe that they who are very thick of hearing, wil open their mouths that they may better hear those that speak unto them. And if you stop both Ears close, and strike a Musick Instrument with a stick held in your Teeth, you wil hear the sound better. And when you travel in the night, you wil better hear any man coming afar off, if you put one end of your Sword or Staff between your Teeth, and fasten the other end upon the ground.

The Humors which are gathered into the internal Cavity of the Ear, and especially such as flow from the Head do cause deafness or thick hearing in the inner part of the Ear, and these are for the most part flegmy, and somtimes chollerick; as appears Aph. 28. Sect. 4. where Hippocrates saith, that chollerick Evacuations are good for deaf men; somtimes bloody are good, for it is manifest, that the deafness accompanied with the Crisis, comes from the flux of blood to the Ears. Now the Humors are somtimes sent from the whol Body to the Ears, as in continual Feavers and especially those that are malignant. The ill composition of the Instruments of Hearing produceth the same effect; as when the Tympany or Drum groweth too loose by a violent noise or over moistness; and for this reason deaf people are more thick of hearing in Southernly weather, because the Membrane is relaxed by the moistness of the Air; or when the Tympany is over stretched or dried after a vio∣lent disease, long watching, or fasting; or when it is broken by violent motions, or eaten by a corro∣ding humor: Somtimes blood cometh forth after a great hurt, and matter without hinderance to the Hearing, because the passage is between the bone and the Membrane. Or when any parts of the Ear, either originally; or by some outward cause, as stroak, fall, or the like, are put out of their Natural order. Moreover, a cold distemper useth to produce this disease, coming either from the cold Air, or very cold Water powred in, or over much use of stupefactive Medicines called Narcoticks.

'Tis very hard to distinguish al these causes by their proper Signs, but by Art, and conjecture thus:

If Deafness come from the distemper of the Brain, either other Sences suffer, or there appeared some peculiar Dileases in the Head, as head-ach, drouziness, Apoplexy, Lethargy, and the like.

The stoppage of the External Cavity of the Ears is discernable by the Eyes, if you look upon them in the Sun, for then it wil appear whether it be a tumor, or thick matter, or any other heterogeneal substance of another Nature which filleth the Cavity. As also the Patient will tell you if any thing fell into his Ears.

But if the internal Cavity be filled with a humor, we may conceive it to be flegm, if the Patient were formerly subject unto defluxions of that sort.

But that this comes from Choller, is known by some Chollerick Feaver that went before, or now possesseth him, or by some violent pain. But when it comes from blood, there is a heavy pain, and abundance of blood in the whol Body, and this happeneth often in critical disturbances.

The loosness and moistness of the Tympane is known by the causes preceding, which were moist, and distempered some other part: for it can scarce be, that moist causes should only affect that part, and no other.

You may also know the distention and driness of the Tympane by the driness of the whol Body, and by the drying causes aforegoing.

And for the breaking or corroding of the Tympane, you may know that if there were formerly any vehement Causes that could break or gnaw the same.

You must make your Prognostick thus:

Deafness by Birth, and of long continuance, if it be absolute and total, is incurable; and that which is not absolute if it be old, is never or hardly cured.

A Deafnels from Choller or Blood which hapneth only in sharp continuing Feavers, useth to be cured with these Feavers.

Thick Hearing, if it be not speedily cured, endeth in perfect Deafness; witness Galen, 3. de comp. med. sec. loc. cap. 3.

The Membrane of the Tympane being broken, or a scar left thereon, makes an incurable Deaf∣ness.

A Deafness encreasing and decreasing by degrees, is curable, for it signisieth that it comes from a movable humor, which somtimes is more, somtime less in quantity.

A Deafness coming from distemper of the Brain, is more easily cured than that which comes from a proper disease of the Ear.

As to the Cure: That Deafness which depends upon any Disease of the Brain, requireth no other Cure, than that which belongs to such diseases, which you may find in their several Chapters. That which comes from a Tumor, if it be hard and old, admitteth no Cure; but if it be hot, you may find the Cure for it in the Chapter of pain in the Ears. But if it come from matter gathered in the Ear, you may find the Cure in the last Chapter of this Treatise, where we shal speak of those things which preternaturally come forth of the Ear.

If this Disease comes of Driness, it must be cured by the way of Rhasis, that is by moistning things, long sleep, and washing of the Head with warm water; as also putting of moist things into the Ear, as Oyl of sweet Almonds, and the like. If Deafness or thick Hearing come from any thing that is fallen into the Ear, that must be taken away with washing, shaking, or extraction: or if any Ver∣mine are g••t into the Cavity of the Ear, they must either be taken forth, or killed there: they are washed forth by making the part moist and slippery, and enlarging it, with either Milk, the Oyl of sweet Almonds, or some mollifying or relaxing Decoction: they are shaken forth by neesing, for so by the force of the air the parts being moved, that which lieth in the passage of the Ear is excluded, and the sooner if the way be first made slippery and enlarged with Medicines (as we said) It is good al∣so to hang down that side of the head, and to hop upon the log on that side; by which way the Boyes after swimming get the Water out of their Ears. If these wil not do, you must endeavor to draw it forth with an Ear-picker, taking heed, lest when you put it in, you thrust that which you would draw forth, further in; therefore let the spoon of the Ear-picker be very thin that it may easier pass by the thing in the Ear. Or you may lay hold of it, and take it out with a pair of Forcepts made on purpose, rough on both sides within. And if this avail not, when the body is hard, as a nut or stone, it must be laid hold on with an Instrument and broken, and then the Ear must be washed as aforesaid. If the Ear-picker will not enter, arm your probe with a little Cotton all over, and then dip it in Turpen∣tine, or in some other clammy substance, and put it in the Ear that it may stick to that which is there, and stoppeth the Ear. The same may be done with a Wax Candle touched with Bird-lime; and if any of the Bird-lime stick in the Ear, you may afterwards take it out with the Ear-picker. There are some which put a hollow quil into the Ear, and draw out things with sucking.

The worms in the Ears are enticed forth by laying to such things as they love, as Milk with Sugar laid to the Ear in a spunge, or easily put in; or a Fig turned inside out; or the pap of a sweet Apple, or Bacon, and turning the Ear to the Sun at that time; and especially if Horsleeches get in, they are drawn forth by an Injection of blood. Fleas are drawn forth with Dogs hair; but if they be living they must be killed, and then they willess hinder the hearing, and wil be drawn forth more easily: And they are killed with fasting spittle, or your own Urine dropt into the Ear.

Bitter things do sooner kil those Vermine, as the juyce of Wormwood, Centaury, or the Deco∣ction of Aloes, or Beasts Gall. Also sharp things, as Vinegar, juyce of Onions, and the like.

And because the usual cause of Deafness is a cold distemper and a defluxion of moisture to that part, you must labor most to oppose that.

But because this defluxion comes originally from the Brain, therefore we must begin the Cure there, as in the cure of the cold distemper of the Brain; which a Prudent Physitian wil moderate according to the degrees and violence of the distemper.

The brief way of Cure is, first an attenuating Diet, moderately warm and drying, such as is prescribed in Gutta serena: and then avoiding of Southernly winds, by stopping the Ears; and vaporing nourishment, as Garlick and Onions; as also of things that beget thick and flegmy Humors, First, Let a general Evacuation be made by Pills Cephalick Purging Apozemes; then by Phlebotomy if need be; to which ad if the Disease be stubborn, a sweating Diet; and then use particular Remedies that revel the defluxion, as Cauteries, Vesicatories, Neesings, Masticarories, Gargarisms: but

Masticatories, or Chewings; are peculiarly necessary in this Disease, by reason of the passage which comes from the internal Ear to the Pallat, and throws out the excrements of the Ears.

And finally, When the Disease grows old, you must use ordinary Pills, Magistral Syrups, Ce∣phalick Opiats, Pouders and Caps to strengthen the head, and the like. Al which are laid down in the Treatise of the Cold Distemper of the Brain.

In time of Diet, if the Disease be stubborn, Bags are good applyed to the Head after the swea∣ting Potion is administred, as in the said Treatise is prescribed, not only to the fore part of the Head, but to the Ears also.

Brimstone and Bituminous Baths are very proper in this Disease, with washing of the Head, for by them sweat is provoked, and the matter of defluxion is drawn out. But by washing of the Head, the Brain is strengthened and dried, and the humors fixed in the Ears are discussed. The way of using them is described by Penotus, and much commended, in these words: There is nothing in the Cure of Deasness more prevalent after the use of an bundred Medicines, than that the Patient after his Body is first well purged, and then his Head. Wash his Head well in Brimstone Baths, thus: Let him wear a great cap reaching to his Eye-lids, and beneath his Ears, made of Spunges sewed together; let him sit under the cock or spout in the Bath, and let it run upon his Head; which Water the spunges will suckup, and so keep the head in a continual heat; and so opening all the Sutures of the Head, and Commissures, it will take away all the vapors: or it will breath away the matter compacted in the Nerves, and the passages for Hearing, or so change it, that it will quickly be gone: It is good for him to sit so twice in a day for two hours, and presently after to sweat in his bed, and use a slender Diet of Juyces and Broth, and to beware of Wine except it be very weak.

Then you must use Topicks, to discuss the matter fastened in the Ear; which may be thus ap∣plyed:

Take of the Leaves of Organ, Wormwood, Penyroyal, wild Marjoram, Sage, Mints, Centau∣ry the less, Mallows, and Marsh-mallows, of each one handful: the flowers of Chamomel, Melilot, Stoechas, and Rosemary, of each one pugil: Cinnamon and Cloves, of each half an ounce: Boyl these in equal parts of white Wine and Water: Foment the Ear wuh the straming hot in a spunge morning and evening.

Of the same Decoction you may make a Fumigation into the Ear by a Funnel which must needs be excellent because the vapor arising from the hot Decoction must needs reach into the innermost parts of the Ears.

Instead of a Fomentation you may apply a hot loaf made with Caraway seeds, and cut in the mid∣dle.

Or take ordinary Bread from the Oven, and break off the lower crust, and dip it in Spirit of Wine, and let the Patient endure it at his Ears as hot as may be, that the vapor may be received in.

Bread made of Bran is better with Caraway seeds, Bay-berries, Juniper berries, and Nut∣megs mixed before it be baked: then after it is a little baked, break it and apply it hot to the Ears.

If you desire a stonger Decoction for Fomentation and Fume, you may ad one or two drams of the Pulp of Coloquintida, and the root of white Hellebore. You may make this Decoction in white Wine alone, or with Vinegar, that it may pierce more, and discuss.

The Fume of Cloves may be taken with much profit to the Patient by a Funnel into the passage of the Ear when the Head is covered with a warm cloth.

After Fomentations and Fumes, you must put some liquor into the Ears, and then stop them with Muskified Cotton.

Take of the Oyl of bitter Almonds, and Rue, of each one ounce: Mixthem and put them hot into the Ears. Or,

Take of the Oyl of white Lillies, and Castor, of each one ounce: the Oyl of Dill, half an ounce: white Hellebore half a dram: Aqua vitae one ounce. Boyl them in Balneo Mariae till the Aqua vitae be consumed; strain them for the use aforesaid. Or,

Take of Cypress Roots, Bay-berries, Annis and Cummin seed poudered, of each one dram: Pouder of Castor half a dram: Oyl of Rue as much as will be sufficient: Mix them and put them into a great hellow Onion; roast it, and strain out the Liquor to be dropped into the Ears.

Chymical Oyls work most powerfully; as Oly of Rosemary, Marjoram, Sage, Fennel, Spike, Cloves, which are too strong to be used alone, therefore you must mix a very smal quantity of any of them with the Medicines mentioned; thus:

Take of the Oyls aforesaid two ounces: Oyl of Spike, Fennel, Cloves, or the like, half a dram, o•• a dram: Mix them.

There are also some Waters, which if dropped into the Ears do much good. Some Authors com∣mend the Water of an Ash, which is made by putting one end of a green Ash into the fire, and taking the water out of the other end: this is best when deafness cometh of a hot cause, and you fear to use hot Medicines. But if not, then you may mix as much Aqua vitae therewith. Mathiolus mixeth

this Water with Juyces, and commends it highly, in these words: We know that the Water which ••••mes out of Ash, when it is burnt, mixed with the Juyce of Sowbread, Squils, and Rue, in equal ••••rts warmed together, to be excellent against Deafness, if it be dropped into the sound Ear when the Patient goeth to bed, and lieth upon that Ear which is Deaf: but when both Ears are deaf, then into that which is least affected.

The Spirit of Wine wherein white Hellebore hath been infused, being dropped into the deaf Ear, is very efficacious.

Others commend the clarified juyce of Ivy mixed with strong white Wine.

The Galls of Beasts, as of Hairs, Goats, Partridges, are much commended if they be used fresh, with an equal portion of Honey, and warmed in the shell of an Onion.

The fat dripping of an Eel is much used; Put a great Eel upon a Spit, and take the dripping upon Bay Leaves, and drop it warm into the Ears.

Zechius commends Ants Egs, in these words: Ants Egs mixed with the Juyce of an Onion, and dropped into the Ear, do cure the oldest Deafness.

The Blood of a yong Wolf, dropped hot into the Ears doth the same.

Lastly, If the Disease be so stubborn that it will not yield to the Medicines prescribed, it will not be amiss to use the last Remedy which is prescribed by Fonseca, consult. 58. tom. 2. namely, an Unction with Quick-silver, because when Deafness cometh of the French Pox, it is so cured, and it may be when it comes otherwise; and the reason is, because Quick-silver doth dissolve and discuss ••ard tumors, when they are gathered upon any part, and therefore when flegm is gathered in the Ears, which no other means can dissolve, Quick-silver may dissolve it. But this Remedy must not be tried but in a desperate condition; for it is doubtful what the event wil be, and the Unction with Quick∣silver doth much weaken the Brain, and cause defluxions. So that some who have been cured of the Pox by Quick-silver, have after fallen deaf by defluxions; although somtimes (as I said) deafness coming of the French Pox is cured thereby, and Quick-silver rightly used after due Purgation doth ••o hurt to the Brain.

This you must alwaies observe in the use of Topicks, That you never put cold things, but warm, into ••he Ears, and you must not dress them till the old Medicine be taken out. And after dressing you must ••top the Ear with Cotton Muskified, for that only conduceth much to the Cure: as Forestus saith, Obs. 15. lib. 12. in these words: A woman of Delf after a long disease fell deaf, which after sufficient ••urging abstained from Physick: at length she was perswaded by an old woman to put a grain or ••wo of Musk into her Ears with a little Cotton, and so doing she was wonderfully cured. I have ••ured many the same way whose Ears have run.

Chap. 2. Of Noise in the Ears.

THe sence of Hearing is hindered by noise in the Ears; for as the Eyes must be void of all colors that they may truly perceive the colors of all Objects, and when they have a preternatural co∣••or, as in the Jaundice, the sight is depraved; so the Ears must have no sound in themselves, that they ••ay more distinctly receive al other sounds; and if there be any noise in them, the Hearing is depra∣••ed. This is called in Greek Paracousis, in Latin Obauditio, vulgarly a noise in the Ears.

This comes from a preternatural motion of the Air which is naturally contained in the Ears; for ••s Aristotle saith, Though the natural Air in the Ear do move, yet the noise is not heard except you ••top the Ears with the hollow of your hand, or the like, for then the hearing is more inward when ••he outward air is kept out. This is seen by Experience, when one stoppeth his Ears, and holds the ••andle of an Instrument in his teeth, the sound wil be four times greater than when his Ears are open, ••or it passeth through the moutth, there is a Natural Motion of air in the Ear by the Spiritus Acou∣••••ico, continually working. But if it be too violently moved, then there is a preternatural noise in ••he Ear which hindereth the hearing.

The Causes are many of this preternatural Motion, but chiefly a vapor or wind sent from other ••arts into the Ear, or bred there; either coming from the whol body, or from some peculiar part.

In Feavers it comes from the whol body; whence Hippocrates saith in Coacis; A noise in the ••ead coming in an acute Disease is deadly, for it cometh of wind sent by the Arteries from the whol ••ody into the Ears; it useth to come chiefly in the beginning of a fit, and before bleeding. Wind is ••lso sent to the Ear from a peculiar part, namely, the Stomach, Liver, Spleen, Midriff, Womb, and ••he like, whence it comes to pass, that in great Vomitings, in Hypochondriack Melancholly, and ••••ts of the Mother, there is for the most part a noise in the Ears. Often there is a wind sent from the ••ead coming of a cold flegm, through want of heat to the Ears by the Veins and Arteries, and the ••erves of the fifth Conjugation, by which passages also vapors come from the inferior parts.

Wind is bred in the Ear also, of flegm contained therein; whence it comes to pass that thick Hea∣ring is alwaies accompanied with a noise in the head. For by the humor there is a stoppage, from whence comes deafness, and from the wind that proceeds from that humor, comes the none.

There are other causes of this noise, as a great stroak upon the head, a great sound, Ulcers in the Ears, a hot distemper, weakness, and exquisite sence.

A stroak, by moving the Spirits in the Head too violently, causeth a noise.

A great sound doth violently move the natural Air.

And Ulcers by the heat of the matter boyling and working, make a noise; and by the Spirits ga∣thered thither, and moving the Natural Air.

A hot distemper fills the inward Arteries of the Ear with much Spirit, whence a great beating noise proceedeth. Somtimes too much Spirit is sent by those Arteries into the Ears, and the Natural Air is thereby moved, from whence cometh a noise. And from this cause may come a continual none for some months or yeers.

Weakness of hearing useth to make a noise in the Ears, as in sick people, because every sence de∣bilitated is hurt by every violent or moderate object: so they who have weak sight, are offended by a small light.

And lastly, When the sence is most exquisite, as Galen, lib. 3. de comp. med. sec. lo••. cap. 1. there will be a noise in the Ears, becau••e even moderate objects are too vehement for it. Now this exqui∣site sence must be preternatural, for the exquisitness of ••ence cannot of its self produce a depraved acti∣on, but rather the more exquisire it is the le••s will it Err. This preternatural exquisitness of sence, comes from a hot distemper, ulcer, or the like: as parts inflamed do deprav••dly, that is painfully, feel moderate touchings. Or if the exquisitness of sence be Natural, you must suppose that the cau••e of the noise is Preternatural; for the vapor which is so little that it cannot be felt of dull sence, and so the action not be hurt, will be felt of him that hath exqui••••te ••ense, and will cause a noise; so that in one it is Preternatural, in another Natural.

There are divers sorts of sounds in the Ears, which proceed either from the quantity of the vapors as they are more or few, thinner or thicker, swift or slow in motion; for if the vapor be much, thick, and of quick motion, it wil make a noise like swift running water, or like a drum, or like ••ome such Musical Instrument, or a rushing wind, or the like; but if it be little, thick, and move quick, the noise is like the falling of a ••ree or House.

If it be much, thin, and swift in motion, it causeth a hissing, or is like falling of a gentle Water. If it be little, thin, and quick in motion, it causeth a tickling. If it be much, thick, and of slow motion, it makes a murmuring noise. If the matter be little, thick, and slow in motion, it makes a kind of whis∣pering noise. If it be much, thin, and of slow motion, it causeth a hissing. And lastly, Because the degrees of thickness and thinness, of greatness and smalness, of swiftness and slowness, are infinite, therefore there are innumerable sorts of sounds in the Ears.

There is no certain knowledg of the causes aforesaid, as Galen teacheth 3. de comp. med. sec. loc. c. 1. but we may make conjecture from the precedent Causes and Circumstances.

We conjecture that the noise comes from wind, because somtimes it ceaseth, and returneth again; as also when the Patient hath formerly used to eat windy meat.

It cometh by consent from other parts, when there is some peculiar disease in them.

It appears to come from the Brain when pain and heaviness of the Head went before, and when o∣ther sences also are hurt.

That the fault is in the Ears, appears by a continual noise without any intermission.

We know that that Disease comes from a cold matter; if the Patient be better for the use of hot things, and if in time of health great noise be not much disturbance.

The difference of sounds above mentioned, do shew whether the disease comes of thick or thin, many or few vapors, it will easily appear by what hath been said.

When it comes from the weakness of the faculty of hearing; as from some Diseases aforegoing, of which the Pati••nt is scarce recovered.

We conjecture that it comes from a hot distemper, and from an exquisite sence coming thereupon, when the Patient perceiveth a heat in his head about his Ears; when some hot Causes went before, and Medicines that discuss wind do encrease the disease: as also when the Patient in time of his health could not endure any great noise by reason of the exquisitness of sence.

As to the Prognostick: A new begun noise in the head is easily cured, but an old, hardly, and the more if it come from the French Pox. That which proceeds of a hot cause, is more easily cured than that which comes of a cold.

An old noise coming of flegm contained in the Ear, turneth to deafness; for when the matter is en∣creased, the passage of Hearing is stopped.

The Cure of this Disease is divers in respect of the diversity of Causes.

And first the Cure of Noyse in the Head coming from consent with other parts, depends upon the Cure of the Diseases of those parts, and must be taken from their proper Chapters.

But that which comes principally from the Ear Distempered, must have its proper Cure: And if it come of a cold Distemper, and thick Vapour, it wil be ••ured as in the Treatise or thickness of Hearing; for they are com∣plicated and joyned together; For Noyse in the Ears is the fore-runner of thick Hearing, and Deaf∣ne••s.

Therefore al Remedies both Universal and Particular, may be used here which we prescribed in the former Chapter of Deafness and thick Hearing.

If the Noyse come from an Ulcer in the Ear, it requireth no other Cure, than that which is proper for the Ulcer. And that shal be laid down in the following Chapter.

If it cometh from weakness of Sense as in them who are lately Recovered of some great Disease, it wil vanish of its self as the Body gathereth strength: yet you may drop some proper temperate Oyls somtimes into the Ears to mitigate, as Oyl of Chamomel, Dill, Sweet Almonds, and the like.

And Finally, If it come from a hot distemper and exquisite Sense, you must prescribe a Cooling and Moistning Diet; as also drop Cool things into the Ears, beginning with mild first, and after pro∣ceeding to stronger.

And first, U••e the Decoction of Barley, Violets, Lettice, Water-Lillies, to which you may put a little Balm or Chamomel to make it pierce: which not prevailing, you must use the juyce of Lettice, Purslain, Henbane: Galen alloweth the Juyce of Poppy and Opium its ••elf, but these must be used sparingly and with much Caution, lest by weaking the natural heat of the part, the Hearing grow more dull.

Chap. 3. Of Pain in the Ears.

PAin of the Ears called Otalgia in Greek, is a violent Disease, both in respect of the part affected, namely, the inward Membrane which goeth about the Cavity of the Ear; as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by reason of the neerness of the Brain which often suffereth at the same time.

But since al pain comes from the solution of Continuity, al those things do cause pain in the Ears, which do dissolve the Continuity of those sensible parts which compass the Cavity of the Ear: the chief whereof are Distempers both without, and with, Matter, Wounds, Ulcers, or things fallen, or put into the Ears Externally.

A Cold Distemper doth somtimes cause pain in the Ears, and it comes from cold Winds, cold La••hs, and other very cold Causes.

A Hot Distemper without Matter, seldom or never produceth a pain in the Ears, as a cold doth: For Cold is an Enemy to these Nervous and Membranous parts, but Heat is a Friend to them. Nor can it cause any pain but that which is excessive, and wil cause a defluxion of Humors to the parts, and then it is not without Matter. For this Cause neither Galen, nor any of the anci••••t Greeks made mention of a Hot Distemper, although Avicen of al the Arabians have mentioned it.

Now the Cold Matter which causeth pain in the Ears is either flegm or water which comes from the Brain into them, or else wind coming from the Brain or the inferior parts.

But the Hot Matter, is either Choller that fals from the Veins and Arteries into those parts, or Blood, from whence cometh Inflamation.

The afore aid Cause produceth an occult Solution of Continuity from whence cometh Pain. But manifest Solutions of Continuity, as Wounds and Ulcers, are more evident Causes of pain. Wounds come from external Punctures, Cuts, and Contusions. But Ulcers come either after Inflamation and breaking of an Impostume, or from sharp Humors that corrode the parts,

Finally, Things that get into the Ear outwardly, if they be hard, sharp, or any wayes piercing or biting, wil cause pain.

You may know al these Causes thus, If the Distemper be without Matter, there wil be no heavi∣ness, distention, or tumor: And you may know that the Distemper is Cold, when cold Causes have preceded, as travel in Winter, when the pain increaseth in cold weather, or with cold Medicines and decreaseth with hot: but you may know a hot distemper by hot causes preceding, as being long in the Sun, or heat, and when hot Medicin••s hurt, and cold do profit.

If the Pain come from flegm, there wil be a heavin••ss in the Ear, and the Head; as also a Rhewin wil fal upon some other part, besides cold Causes did pr••cede, as cold and Northerly weather, cold meats; or it is winter and the Patient is old, and the like.

If it come from Wind there wil be a great pain without weight or heaviness, not constant, but in∣termitting and with noyse.

That it comes from Water, the Patient wil have other Diseases from the same, as sharp and thin defluctions upon the Teeth, Eyes, Ears, Breast, and other parts; and Evacuation of serous Mat∣ter by Vomit▪ Stool, Urine, or Sweat.

If it come from a Chollerick Humor the pain wil be sharp and pricking, and there wil be sensible heat; it wil be mitigated with cold things, and Choller wil somtimes come forth of the heat▪ the Body is of a Chollerick temper, the Party yong, the Weather hot, and Diet also with the like, by which the Patient is often distempered.

An Inflamation is known by a great beating pain, with great heat and redness about the Cheeks and Temples, to which there is joyned a continual violent Feaver; somtimes Doting, Swooning, Con∣vulsion, and coldness of the extream parts.

A Wound is known by the blood which wil come forth of the Ear, but an Ulcer by the filth, or matter; but because somtimes there is a defluxion of filth from the Brain by the Ears, we must di∣stinguish, for it if comes from the Brain; there w••nt before it a Head-ach and other signs of an Impo∣stume in the Brain: And first the matter is sent forth in great abundance and after by degrees while it is al spent. From an Imposthume in the Ear may come plenty of Matter, but then there went signs before of an Inflamation there, and afterward followed an Ulcer, wh••ch you may know whether it came from an Imposthume or a Defluxion of sharp Humors by the••e signs following; There is a constant Flux of a little filth or matter by degrees; there is felt a pain burning and shooting in the Ear, especially if it be picked. Moreover, We may conjecture of the Difference of the Ulcers, For if it be in the Bone, it is known by the thin Matter yellowish, and by the long continuance o•• the Disease: If it be deep, you shal know it by much Matter: If it be clean, by the ••audible Matter▪ If it be foul, by the thickness and plenty▪ If it be virulent, by the thinness: If putrid, by the stink of it: If it be corroding, by blood following. If fistulous, from the oldness of the Ulcer, the virulen∣cy of the Matter, the callosity and hardness of the flesh.

Finally, If there be any thing fallen into the Ear, either it may be seen, or related by the Pati∣ent.

The Prognostick of pain in the Ears is divers, according to the diversity of the Causes. That which comes from a bare distemper is easily cured. That which comes from a cold ••••egmy ferous, or windy matter, is not very dangerous, but u••eth to continue ••ong▪ But that which cometh from hot humors, and especially such as cause inflamation, is very dangerous, for the Brain being nigh must needs consent, and be also affected; from whence Deliriums, and Convulsons use to proceed. In this Disease yong men are in most danger: for they being of a hot temper, and their blood ••ot, the inflamation is greater; and this dissolveth the natural heat of the Brain, and killeth the Patient: Hence it is that they die for the most part within seven daies. But old men who are colder, have ••ess inflamation, and so are in less danger.

Ulcers in the Ears are hard to be cured, because the Brain being nigh, doth send its excrements to those parts: But those which follow an Imposthume▪ are easier cured, especially if the matter be ••au∣dible. But where the matter is virulent, stinking, or the like, it is difficult, especially if the Ulcer be cavous, and the bone foul.

The Cure, as the Diagnostick and Prognostick, is to be varied according to the Cause.

For if it comes from a bare cold distemper, hot Medicines applied to the Ears are sufficient, such as are in the cure of Deafness, esp••cially Fomentations and Fumes, as also the warm Oyls there de∣scribed. But when a hot distemper comes without matter, it may be cured with Topicks, which are cooling, which we will shew afterwards, and especially with the white of an Egg beaten with Breast milk, and put into the Ear.

If it come from a cold distemper with matter, as flegm, water, or wind, you must use the Medicines prescribed in the cure of Deafness. First, Purge the whol Body, then correct the distemper of the Brain, and apply warm Topicks that discuss unto the Ears.

If it come from a hot distemper with Choller, which is of long continuance, or comes by fits. First revel the humor that floweth to the part by Phlebotomy, by which the hot distemper of the whol Body with the Liver, in which Choller is made, is amended. Then purge the Humor with pro∣per Medicines. You may amend the hot distemper of the▪ Liver with Juleps or cooling Broths, with Whey of Goats milk, with sharp Vitriolat, Mineral Waters, with hot Baths, and the like. And lastly, All things are proper for it which are prescribed in the Cure of the Head from a hot cause▪ But you may use cooling Topicks and Anodines that take away pain, which we shall shew afterwards concerning the Inflamation.

Inflamation of the Ear is cured first by blood-letting, according to the quantity of the humor, for revulsion of it from the Ears, first having given an emollient and cooling Clyster: This must be done in great quantity, at divers times, for the greatness and violence of the Disease requires it. You must

open the Head Vein on that side the Ear is that is pained. If you think it comes from stoppage of Terms or Hemorrhoids, open the lower Veins, first having let blood in the Arm. When the cause is not from thence, it will do good for revulsion to apply Leeches.

Also you make good Revulsions by Frictions and Ligatures of the Arms and Thighs, by cupping the Shoulders and Back with Scarrification, or without.

Somtimes for Derivation it is good to apply Cupping glasses behind the Ears, with Scarrification; as Zacutus Lucitanus teacheth, Obser. 64. lib. 1. Praxis Admirandae, in these words. The Di∣vine old man in his second Book, Epid. Sect. 6. towards the end, saith thus: For pain in the Ear, clap on a Cupping glass. This worthy saying gave much help to a poor man which was in pain; and when al things failed, and he grew weak with watching, and mad with a continual Feaver, being rea∣dy to depart; having opened a Vein, and applied Cupping glasses to the Shoulders and Neck, and taken revelling Clysters, and purging, and the like; as also Anodines into his Ear without any pro∣fit, he was cured only with a Cupping glass with Scarification applied by the Glandles of the Ears, which drew much blood, and took away the inflamation.

The same Zacutus Lucitanus in Praxi ad Histori••s, commends four Hors-leeches applied be∣hind the Ears, which he saith gave much ease to a yong man which had a violent inflamation in his Ears.

The cutting of the Arteries in the Temples of the Forehead, doth produce rare effects for the ap∣peasing of the greatest pain in the Ears, by taking away the hot and windy blood which produced that grievous symptome. The way of doing it, is set down by us, in the Cure of the hot Head-ach.

A Purge against Choller is good, for so the Choller mixed with Blood, which by it is made so fluid, is drawn down, and sent forth.

Afterwards the whol mass of humors is to be tempered with cooling Juleps, made of the Decoction of Lettice, Purslain, Plantane, Sorrel, and the like, with Syrup of Lemmons, Pomegranats, or wild Poppies.

In the mean while, these Medicines are given; you must alwaies apply Topicks, which must al∣waies be Anodine, by reason of the vehemency of the pain, the mitigation whereof must be your chief intent; and this will be more rationally done, if in the beginning and the encrease of the Disease, you mix things that do gently repel; but in the state and declination, things that resolve, such as these following:

Take of new Breast-milk two ounces: the white of an Egg beaten to Water half an ounce: drop these mixed together, warm into the Ear.

Or Milk alone squirted into the Ear from the Breast; this doth much asswage.

Take Plantane and Nightshade, of each one handful: the flowers of Chamomel and Melilot, of each one pugil: Make a Decoction, and let the Patient receive the fume thereof into his Ear by a Funnel.

Take of the Oyl of Water-lillies and Roses, of each one ounce: Mix them, and drop thereof into the Ear; after the fume.

* 1.1 Sows infused in the aforesaid Oyls and strained, are the best Anodines; for these Creatures have especial force to appease pain, and therefore are used in the toothach, hemorrhoids, and the like; or take them asive, and boyl them with Water in the Oyls til the Water be consumed.

If the burning be very violently, you may mix cooling Juyces with the aforesaid Oyls, thus:

Take of the Oyl of Water-lillies, and Roses, of each one ounce: the Juyce of Nightshade and Plantane, of each half an ounce: Mix them, and drop thereof into the Ear.

Rose Vinegar is used of some Practitioners made of two parts of Oyl of Roses, and one part of Vi∣negar, which ought to be suspected, as al strong repelling Medicines; for there wil be danger, lest the humor flowing thither should return to the Brain; and it is a general Precept alwaies to be obser∣ved. That you never lay repelling Medicines to inflamations which are neer unto noble parts: but you may mix gentle Repellers with Anodines and Relaxers; for ••o they wil moderately repress the Defluxion, nor will they drive it far back: Such are the afore mentioned, to which you may ad this following:

Take of the Oyl of Roses, and Water-lillies, of each one ounce and an half: Rose and Plantane Water, of each half an ounce: Breast-milk one ounce: the Mucilage of the Seeds of Fleabane and Quinces drawn with Rose water, of each six drams: mix them. Put some drops thereof warm into the Ears, and bind clouts dipped in the same Liquor about the Ears.

In vehement pain we are constrained to fly to Narcoticks, or Stupifactives; but you must use them seldom, and with much care, because they offend the Brain. Galen saith, 3. de comp. med. sec. loc. I knew one, who only with the use of Opium, took away both speech and sence from his Patient, that he could be cured neither with Opobalsam, nor any other hot Medicine injected. Therefore if necessity constrain, thus they are to be prescribed:

Take of Oyl of Poppy-seeds one ounce and an half: Camphire and Opium of each two grains: mix them, and drop them into the Ear.

Take of the Oyl of sweet Almonds two ounces: the Juyce of Mallows half an ounce: Myrrh half a dram: Saffron half a scruple: Opium three or four grains: mix them for the use afore∣mentioned.

In applying of Topicks, the Rule of Galen is diligently to be observed, which is in lib. 3. comp. medic. sec. loc. cap. 1. that an inflamed Ear be not touched, but let the Medicines be injected by an instrument for to see into the Ear, or a Probe armed with lint and dipt in the Medicines. Then that you ask the Patient if he feel it warm, and if he can endure it hotter? and let it be used so hot as he can suffer: You must put the Probe so armed gently into the Hole of the ear that the Medicine may soak from it into the ear, you must do thus till the passage of the ear be ••illed with the Medi∣cine, then you must dip lint in the same Medicine, and lay it to the Hole of the ear, and round a∣bout.

In the state of the Disease you must mix gently resolving Oyls with Anodines, thus.

Take of Oyl of Chamomel, sweet Almonds and Violets, of each one ounce: the Oyl of Lillies half an ounce: Mix them.

But these Fomentations and Fumigations which are made of the following Decoction, do re∣solve more powerfully.

Take of Marsh-Mallow-Roots one ounce: Mallows, Nightshade, St. Johns-Wort, of each one handful: Linseed half an ounce: the seeds of Mallows, Ma••sh ••allows, and white Poppies, of each two drams: the Flowers of Chamomel, Dill, and Roses, of each one pugil: make a Deco∣ction in Water and Milk for a Fomentation and Fum••gation: ••ate•• taken out of Ashen sticks, being dropt into the Ears easeth pain and dissolveth the cause of it. You must put green Ashen sticks in to the fire, and take the Water that comes from both ends.

If the Tumor cannot be dissolved but it seems to tend to suppuration, which you may perceive by the encrease of pain, by greater Pulsation, and a stronger Fe••ver.

You must help the motion of Nature, and apply this following Cataplasm.

Take the faeces of the former Decoction made for a Fomentation and Fumigation: and put to them of D••cks and Hens-grease, Marrow o•• Vea••, and the Mucilage of Fleabane and Foenu∣greek-seeds, of each one ounce: the Oyl of Chamomel and V••olets, of each ••n•• ounce: Fresh Bu••∣ter one ounce and an half: Saffron half a dram▪ Make a Ca••a••lasm.

A Cataplasm o•• Crums of Bread is also very good; for it a••••w••ge••h pa••ns and furthers supp••rati∣on gently without inflamation: and therefore it is very proper in al Phlegmous or ho•• Tumors: you must make it thus.

Take of the Crums of white Bread one pound▪ boyl it in Goats Milk to a Pultis, then ad of the two Yolks of Eggs, the Oyl of Roses two ounces: Saffron one scruple: Make a Cata∣plasm.

The Cataplasm made of an Onyon, is much commended of Victorius Faventinus. Made thus.

Take one Onyon: Fresh Butter two ounces: Oyl of Chamomel and Roses, of each one ounce: Saffron one scruple: Make a Cataplasm, apply it warm.

The Suppuration being made, the Imposthume breaketh, and the Matter comes forth either by the Membrane of the Ear made thin, or else corroded, and then the Patient must lie upon the Ear that is pained, that the quittour may come forth; and you must drop such things into it as may clense.

Take of the Decoction of Barley four ounces: Honey of Roses one ounce: drop this warm into the Ears at several times.

If an Ulcer come from sharpness of Matter, you must have a peculiar way of Cure; such as is used to an Ulcer caused from a Defluxion of Humors.

And first, because according to the opinion of Galen, 4. de comp. Med. sec. loc. we may not ap∣ply Topicks to any part, except the whol Body be first often purged: we must use ordinary Eva∣cuations by Bleeding and Purging according to the nature and temper of the Patient; and these must be repeated through the whol time of Cure, as often as need requireth.

Then we must apply Drying and Clen••ing Topicks or Medicines to the place affected, beginning with the mildest first.

The Examples of which are these.

Take of the best Honey and old white Wine of each three ounces: boyl them, and skim them: drop of this into the Ear, and stop it with Cotton dipt in the same.

After that it may be stronger; mix the juyce of Horehound, Smallage, Wormwood, and the les∣ser Centaury, or of Sowbread with Honey: boyl them gently, and drop thereof into the Ear.

Or,

Take of the Juyce of Beets one ounce: Horehound half an ounce: the best Honey six drams: ••oyl these a little, then ad of the Syrup of Wormwood two drams: Mix them.

You may make a stronger Medicine thus.

Take of the Juyce of Sowbread one ounce: Myrrh one dram: Saffron half a scruple: Frankin∣sence one scruple: Verdegreece half a scruple: old Wine one ounce and an half: boyl them gently till the Wine be consumed: drop of this twice or thrice in a day into the Ear.

Observe, Before you drop any liquor into the Ear, you wash the ear in warm Hydromel, or wa∣ter and Honey, and wipe it wel with lint upon a Probe armed.

When the Ulcer is sufficiently Clensed, you must come to Cicatrizing. Thus.

Take of Round Birthwort, Pom••granate peels, and Galls, of each half an ounce: boyl them in equal parts of Wine and Smiths-forge-water, to half a pint, when it is strained, ad to it of the juyce of Plantane and Poligonum, of each one ounce: Honey of Roses two drams: mix them, and drop of this into the Ear. Or,

Take of Frankinsence and Myrrh of each one dram: Gum of Juniper half a dram: Sarcocol, and Labdanum, of each one scruple: Make a Pouder of them and mix it with Turpentine into Balls, which you must lay upon the Coals so that the Patient may take the Fume into his Ear by a funnel.

Or, You may mix that Pouder with some of the aforesaid Juyces, and drop thereof into the Ear.

Or, You may mix burnt Allum with white Wine, for this hath a very great Drying quality.

If the Ulcer be stubborn and old, it is nourished by a Defluxion, which you must labor to remove by usual Purges, Diets of Lignum vitae and Sarsa, by Errhins, Masticatories, Cauteries, and other Remedies that wil divert.

Then must you use stronger Medicines to dry the Ulcer; such as we prescribed of juyce, of Sow∣bread, Myrrh, and Verdegreece.

Or this following Medicine of Valescus, with which he saith that he Cured a Priest that had an Ulcer in his Ear from the eighth yeer of his age.

Take of Honey ten drams: Vinegar eight drams: boyl them: take off the scum, and put to one dram of Verdegreece: Mix them.

These must be dropt morning and evening into the Ear, after it is washed with this Decocti∣on.

Take of Wormwood, Marsh Mallows and Agrimony, of each one handful: boyl them in equal parts of water and white Wine put to it towards the conclusion, to half a pint: Dissolve in the strained Liquor Oximel simple one ounce and an half: Allum poudered one dram: wash the ear with this warmed, and after dry it with an armed Probe.

If the pain come from sharp Medicines, drop in the Oyl of sweet or bitter Almonds with Myrrh▪ Aloes, and Saffron: and if it be violent, mix a little Opium, or drop in the Oyl made of yolks of Eggs in a leaden Mortar.

If the Ulcer be very foul, you must use Aegyp••iacum, Dissolved in the aforesaid Juyces.

Lastly, Galen, Aerius, and Others, both Greeks and Arabians do much Commend the Rust of Iron for the drying of Ulcers in the Ear.

Galen, 3. de comp. med. sec. loc. useth Scales of Iron ground or boyled with the sharpest Vine∣gar.

Hollerius in his Comment upon that Chapter doth prefer the Arrabian Preparation, for they first grind the Iron with Vinegar, then they dry it; thus they do seven times, then they make it very fine, and boyl it long with the best Vinegar, while it is as thick as Honey, and then they dry it, and use it with Honey or other liquors.

If the Pain of the Ear come from any thing fallen into it, as a little stone, Cherry-stone, or the like; which wil be very grievous, and somtimes cause Convul••ions, Inflamations, and Death; as Matthaeus de Gradi saith of a Boy of ten yeers had a Cherry-stone in his ear, and through the igno∣rance of the Chirurgeon, he endured great pain, and after died.

You must draw out these things thus.

First, You may try with an Ear-picker which you must carefully attempt, lest your instrument force it further, which often hapeneth.

Therefore if that which is fallen into the ear do fill the hole. it is better to abstain from the use of the Ear-picker, and try these Remedies.

Paulus u••eth to dip his armed Ear-picker in Rozin, Turpentine, Gum, or the like; and to put it into the Ear, turning of it till you get it out by degrees.

If thus you cannot, put hot Oyl continually into the Ear to relax the part, and make the thing contained slippery, so it will easier come forth.

Use Neesings with the mouth and nostrils shut, for so it will be forced out of the Ears.

These are to be followed till the party be freed; for if it continue long in the Ear, it will be infla∣med, and then the thing will be more difficult and dangerous to be drawn forth.

Arculanus upon Rhasis, affirmeth that the Head of a Lizard applied to the Ear, will draw out any thing, and confirmeth it by his own Experience, in these words: In my Experiences for drawing things out of the Ear, this is one; Tie a live Lizard, or one lately dead, with his head to the Ear, for the space of three hours, and when you take it away, you shall find the thing stic∣king to the head of th•• Lizard: and this is good for the extraction of any thing wheresoever it is fastened.

Lastly, If the former Medicines do not prevail, you must come to the use of a Chyrurgical Instru∣ment, which is at large elegantly declared by Fabricius Hildanus, Cent. 1. Observ. 4, 5, 6. and by Aquapendent, in his Chyrurgical Operations, in his Chapter of the Chyrurgery for the Ears.

Somtimes Fle••s get into the Ears, and moving themselves in the Cavity, bring much disturbance. For the taking out of them, make a little ball of dogs hair, and put it into the Ear, so ▪will the Flea by reason of its affection to dogs come into it. Or make a tent, and put it often into the Ear, with a little Turpentine.

Oftentimes through swimming, or washing of the Head, water getteth into the Ears, which is very troublesom: this is shaken forth by hopping on the contrary foot, and holding the Ear down. If this will not do, you must ••uck it out with a reed, or a pair of bellows. If you arm the pipe with tow to make it stick clo••e, and keep the air out of the Ear, it will be better.

Galen and Aetius continue in powring in of Oyl, suppling the Ear, and then wiping it with wool; and after using Oyl for divers times.

And lastly, Put soft and dry Spunge into the Ear often, till it come out dry.

CHAP. IV. Of those things which come forth of the Cavities of the Ears preternaturally.

MAny Preternatural things come out of the Ears, which we will set down particularly with their Remedies.

First, After an imposthume is broken which came after an Inflamation, or from an Ulcer coming from sharp Humors, filth, or matter, useth to come forth; whose Cure is laid down in the former Chapter.

Somtimes blood comes out of the Ears; as in wounds of the head, or blows by which the Veins of the Ears are broken or rent. If this flux be smal, it is not to be stopt, because then being reteined, it would cause Inflamation; but if it be great, or of long continuance, it must be stopt by bleeding in the Arm, and Cupping glasses applied to the Shoulders with Scarification. Then you must drop cooling and binding things in, as juyce of P••••ntane, Polygonum, or the Decoction of Madder, red Roses, Mastich, Acacia, Hypocistis, Pomegranate flowers, Sumach, and the like, made in Wine and Vinegar, or Smiths Forge-water.

Somtimes Water comes out of the Brain into the Ears, as in children, which must not be stopt, for if it be suddenly stopt, it cau••eth the Falling-sickness, or some grievous Disease of the Brain; for Nature casts forth Excrements by that way, though not proper; and the great moistness in childrens heads is not only purged by the ordinary waies ordained by Nature, as the Nostrils and Pallat, but also by the Ears, Eyes, and the who•• Head, from whence it becomes sore. But when this Evacuati∣on is symptomatical, and the humor begins to ulcerate the Ears, and hurt the hearing, we will lay down a convenient Method for the ••ure.

And ••irst, The abounding ••umors in the Head are to be purged with gentle Medicines often repea∣ted, and to be derived by Ve••cator••es to the Neck, and by a Caustick.

Then you must clense the Ears, and dry them with this Medicine:

Take of the Juyce of Agrimony, and Wormwood, of each four ounces: white Wine, and Honey of Roses, of each one▪ ounce: Boyl them a little, and drop into the Ear after it is wiped; then stop it with Cotton dipped in the same.

Take o•• white Wine four ounces: the Juyce of Agrimony, Wormwood, and Centaury the less, of each one ounce: Boyl them, and drop into the Ear.

In elder people, if water floweth out ••f the Ears long, you must purge the whol Body and the Brain with a Cephalick Apozeme that is purging; then you must consume the superfluous Humi∣dity

with a Sudorifick Diet; derive it with Vesicatories, Cauteries, and Cupping glasses; and use other Remedies which are set down in the Cure of the Cold Distemper of the Brain.

Lastly, There are Worms somtimes in the Ears coming out of filthy Ulcers, which are cured with the Ulcer; but because the Ulcer cannot be speedily cured, you must therefore endeavor the Cure of the Worms.

Take this one Medicine as an Example:

Take of the Oyl of bitter Almonds: the Juyce of Smallage, and the less Centaury, of each two ounces: Vinegar two drams. Boyl them a little; then ad of Mirrh, and Aloes, of each one scru∣ple. Mix them, and drop into the Ear.

If you will make it stronger, put half a scruple of Coloquintida thereunto.

The End of the Third Book.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Called •• Ch••s••ip, or Kitchin¦bob, with many feet▪ which be∣ing touch∣ed gather∣eth it self round like a ball.