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 ...

Chap. 1. Of the Tooth-Ach.

GAlen in his Fifth Book of the Composition of Medicines, cap. 8. & 16. of the Use of Parts, cap. 2. saith, That the Teeth are not only sensible in respect of their Nerves at the Root, and Mem∣brane which inwardly covers their Cavity, but also in their proper substance; and saith, That the Teeth and other parts of the Mouth do taste, as also doth the tongue. And in his Book of Bones, cap. 5. he saith, Of Bones only the teeth are partakers of the tender Nerves of the Brain; and for that cause they alone do manifestly feel.

Therefore pain reacheth not only to the Nerves and inward Membrane, but also to the substance of the teeth.

The Tooth-Ach comes from a Flux of Humors, either Cold and Flegmy, or Hot and Watery, Salt and Sharp: hence comes the Distention or Convulsion of the parts: & these Humors either flow

to the Membranes of the Jaws, and of the holes wherein the Teeth are, or to the Nerve which is inser∣ted in the root of the Teeth, or to the substance of the Teeth. Although some think that the Teeth can∣not receive into their own substance afflux of humors and distention, because they are most hard and thick; yet this is taught by Avicen, Fen. 1. Lib. 1. Doct. 1. Cap. 5. and Fen. 7. Lib. 4. Tract. 1. Cap. 4. And somtimes, saith he, there is matter which doth imposthumate the Tooth it self. Which Opinion he confirmeth and treateth of chiefly, Fen. 1. Lib. 3. Tract. 3. Cap. 1. in these words: It is not as some Physitians think, that the Brain it self wil not imposthumate, reasoning thus; That which is soft, as the brain, and hard, as a bone, is not extended, and that will not imposthumate which cannot be extended. But this is erronious, because that which is soft, if it be viscous or claminy, may be extended, and bones are imposthumated, as Galen teacheth, & we wil shew in our Chapter of the Teeth. More∣over, we say that whatsoever is nourished is extended and encreased with the nourishment, and it is likewise possible that it may be extended and augmented with its superfluity, and that is an impost∣hume. This Avicen teacheth from the Doctrine of Galen, who Lib. 5. de comp. med. sec. loc. cap. 8. saith, Because the Teeth cannot grow without nourishment, they are only obnoxious to these two Diseases following, namely, of want, and superfluity of nourishment: by want of nourishment they grow dryer and thinner, and by superfluity of it, there will be an inflamation about the fleshy parts. Thus Galen. But it is probable that pain is more usual (if it be vehement) in those parts which have most exquisite sence, namely, the Nerve and the Membrane in the hole of the Tooth next to the root, which doth not only suffer distention and vellication, but also somtimes inflamation of the humors flowing down; for it blood be mixed with other humors, then the pain hath two causes, namely, Distention, and Compression, which comes from the hardness of the Tooth, which the Membrane being inflamed cannot endure: and this Inflamation of the Membrane is for the most part accompanied with the inflamation of the Gums; which also is reckoned by Ga∣len and Avicen among the causes of the Tooth-ach.

Now the Humors commonly flow from the Head upon the Teeth and parts adjoyning, somtimes from the inferior parts; for when any bad humors, especially watery, bred in any part, are aboun∣ding in the Veins, Nature desiring to cast off her burden, sends them to the weakest parts And if the seeth by reason of the distemper, foulness, or erosion are such, the flux will chiefly come thither. Charls Piso propounds an Experiment of this (who also thinks the Toothach con comes chiefly from a serous humor) lib. de morb. ab illuv. ser. obs. 7. where he reports that himself being troubled with the Tooth-ach for many daies, halr an hour after he had taken a purging Medicine, vomited up above a pint of cleer water with such success, that ten yeers after he was never troubled with it. By which Experience he alwaies prescribed Medicines that purge water to them who were so troubled, and with good success. Moreover, he striveth to prove that it comes from this cause, by this sign, Because they who have the Tooth-ach, do continually spet.

Besides the Causes mentioned, there are also Worms in rotten Teeth, and they breed of any mat∣ter which is contained and putrified in the Cavities, whether it be excrementitious, or come of pu∣trifying meats, especially flesh and sweet meats, which by reason of their clamminess stick to the Ca∣vities of the Teeth.

Others think that the Tooth-ach comes sometimes from wind contained between the Cavity and the Nerve, which doth violently stretch the inward Membrane, whence comes such intollerable pain.

The principal external causes of Tooth-ach, are all those things which cause defluxions; the chief are, Cold Air, South winds, staying in the Sun, or night Air, Surfet, and all faults in Diet. Ad to these, things that debilitate the part, and make it more fit to receive a defluxion, as rotteness and hollowness in the Teeth, which sometimes make violent pains.

The diversity of Causes is k own by divers igns. For pain when it comes from hot humors is stronger, the constitution hotter, the age yonger, if Summer, there is heat sensibly in the part, and inflamation of the Gums often times; it is better for the use of cold, and worse for hot things. But if it come from a cold humor, the signs contrary to these will appear.

If worms are the cause of pain, it will be intermitting, coming and going often, and somtimes the motion of the worm will be felt.

When it comes from Wind, it is known by the excess of pain, and sensible stretching, and it ends in short time, and is easily cured with discussing Medicines.

The Prognostick is divers, according to the variety of the Causes; for that pain which comes from a hot, thin, watery, sharp and salt humor, is more violent, but sooner at an end, by reason of the sud∣den change of the humor; but that which comes from a cold and flegmy humor, is less, and lasteth longer.

A Tumor rising in the Gums or Jaws, takes away the pain of the Teeth, for the flux is carried to the external parts, so that it no longer lieth in the internal Cavity of the Tooth.

The Cure must be directed for the taking away the Cause, and mitigating the pain; for although

Anodines profit but little except the defluxion be stayed, yet somtimes we are constrained not only to use them, but also Narcoticks or Stupefactives before we take away the Cause; therefore the hu∣mor flowing to the Teeth is to be revelled, evacuated, and repelled, and that which is there, is to be derived and discussed.

First therefore, if the pain comes of hot humors, open a vein in the Arm on the same side, by which the humor flowing will be revelled. But if it come of cold, bleeding is not so good; but in re∣gard of the defluxion it may be used, because it is the chief reveller. But then you must take less blood, except there be a Plethory, in which regard although it be from fiegm, you may bleed freely according to Galen, who said that a large evacuation of blood agreeable to the Plethory, is the best remedy for all pains, which we have found true by experience, not only in the paine of the teeth, but in other parts.

Let him purge the day following, with that which is proper for the humor; in the form of a Poti∣on, if a hot, with Pills, if a cold humor be the cause of pain.

After this, if the pain continue, apply Cupping-glasses to the Shoulders with scarrisication, or one great one between the shoulders without scarrisication. A Vesicatory applied to the neck, or behind the Ears doth violently draw back the humors.

Also to hinder the defluxion, apply astringents to the Temples, as Emplaister of Gum Elemi, or Mastich only, upon a piece of Silk, and heat with a brass pestle, the Shop Emplaister of Mastich, or that against Ruptures called ad berniam. Or this following is good.

Take of Frankinsence, Hypocistis, Labdanum, of each one dram and an half: Pitch and Ma∣stich, of each one dram: Opium half a scruple: Oyl of Mastich as much as is sufficient: Make a Mass of Emplaister.

The Root of Comfry fresh and bruised, applied to the Temples doth intercept the defluxion very well.

There is also a good Plaister made of pouder of Allum, and Galls mixed with Pitch.

Riverius the chief Physitian to Henry the Great, had this Plaister as a Secret:

Take of Cyprus nuts, red Roses, Mustard seed torrefied or parched, Mastich and Terra Sigillata, of each one dram and an half. Let them be steeped in Vinegar of Roses twenty four hours; then dry them: Opium dissolved in Aqua vitae three drams: Pitch and Colophonia, of each one dram: yellow Wax melted in the expressed Oyls, Henbane and white Poppy as much as is sufficient: Make an Emplaister; apply it to the Arteries, and the part affected with pain.

And because the smal Veins by which nourishment is carried to the Teeth do run by the Ears, you put Medicines into them for the Cure of the Tooth-ach; as Oyl of bitter Almonds to the Ear on the same side, or the fume of Vinegar, in which Penyroyal and Origan have been boyled.

Others put Vinegar into the Ear, by which the defluxion is mightily stayed, especially if the flux be hot.

But in a cold defluxion, the Juyce of Garlick mixt with Treacle and dropt warm into the Ear, doth wonderfully asswage the pain of the Teeth. A Clove also of Garlick peeld and put into the Ear, is good.

Also astringents in the beginning of the defluxion, may be applied to the part pained, cold, if the matter be hot, but if it be cold, you must put hot things with your repellers: But in every cause, if the pain be great, you must mix Anodines with Repellers. As,

Take of the Roots of Snakeweed, Five-leaved-grass, and Tormentil, of each one ounce: the Leaves of Vervain, Plantane, and Maudlin, of each one bandful: Cypress Nuts, Galis, and A∣corn Cups, of each two drams: red Sanders, and Crystal, of each one dram and an half: red Roses and Pomegranate Flowers, of each one pugil: boyl them in red Wine and Vinegar, and wash the part grieved often therewith warm.

This may be used in the beginning of a hot defluxion, but in a cold ad Cypress Roots, Box Bark, Ivy Leaves, and the like.

A plainer Medicine is made of Plantane and Rose Water, with as much Vinegar like an Oxycrate.

Or boyl Galls in Vinegar, and wash the Teeth therewith. Or,

Take of the Roots of Cinkfoyl half an ounce: Willow Leaves half a handful: Galls two drams: boyl them in red Wine, and wash the mouth. This staies the defluxion, and takes away pain.

Then you must use these Remedies, which asswage pain, and take away the cause, of which there is in authors, and vulgarly a multitude: we will give you the best; of which you must make your choyce with this judgment, That those which do not only dissolve and discuss, but also astringe and stop the flux, be used in the beginning and the encrease of the pain, but things that only discuss in the state and declination.

Take of the Juyce of Housleek and Nightshade of each two ounces: Cow or Sheeps milk eight ounces: Oyl of unripe Roses one ounce and an half: Opium and Saffron of each three grains:

mix them and apply it warm with a cloth to the Jaw of the same side often.

Take the Papp of sweet Apples two ounces: Bran steept in Vinegar three ounces: Oyl of Ro∣ses one ounce: Saffron half a scruple: Opium two grains: mix them for a Cataplasm to the part pained. Or,

Take of Barley and Bean meal of each three ounces: Oyl of Roses and sweet Almonds of each half an ounce: the juyce of Housleek one ounce and an half: Milk as much as is sufficient; make a Cataplasm to be applied often warm to the part. Or,

Take two whites of Eggs, beat them with Rose Water, and dip stuphs therein sprinkled with two drams of Pepper Poudered: Apply them to the pained side over the whol Cheek.

But here observe, That you apply not Astringents to the Jaws if they be swoln, for it is to be seared, That the Humor wil so be Repelled to the Throat, and the Patient Choaked: An Exam∣ple of which Valesius de Taranta giveth, of a Physitian troubled with the Tooth-Ach and Inflama∣tion of the Jaws, who applied only Oyl of Roses with Vinegar, which brought him to a Squinzy and he died.

Other Waters may be made to wash the mouth: Thus.

Take of the best white Wine four ounces: white Henbane Roots two drams: let them boyl to the Consumption of the third part: strain them, and ad one ounce of Vinegar: Varnish one dram: let them boyl a heat, and let the Mouth be washed often therewith.

The plain Decoction of Vervain is Commended of many for the same.

Also a Decoction of Guaiacum made with Wine, or Water, and a little salt. Or,

Take of Arsmart, and the barks of the Roots of Henbane, of each equal parts, boyl them in Rose Vinegar, and wash the mouth.

And if the pain cometh from a Hot Cause, only boyl a Henbane Root in Vine∣gar.

If the Arsmart be too sharp, take a less quantity: Nay, you may leave it quite out in a Defluxi∣on coming of a Hot Cause, and put Persicaria Macutata instead of it, which is Astringent and Cool∣ing, and his juyce may be given safely at the Mouth in al Defluxions that are sharp and Chollerick: Also you may use the Leaves of Henbane instead of the Root.

Some use the Leaves of Henbane and Persicaria Maculata as a secret Magnetick Charm, they boyl them in Vinegar, they burn the Leaves being boyled with a gentle fire, and wash their Teeth with the Vinegar, and they say that as soon as the Leaves are burnt the pain wil be gone: But I rather think it is Cured by the Vinegar with which the Teeth are washed.

In the aforesaid Decoctions if the Vinegar be so sharp that the Patient can scarcely endure it, you may mix▪ half Wine; and in a Cold Cause make them of Wine only.

Amatus Lusitanus, Commends Exceedingly Sandarach boyled in Vinegar and Wine, Thus.

Take of Sandarak one ounce: Wine and Vinegar of each half a Pint: boyl them and let the strained liquor be held a long time in the mouth.

The Decoction of the Roots of the great Nettle, with a little Nutmeg and Saffron made in equal parts of Wine and Vinegar, and held warm in the Mouth, doth wonderfully draw the Humors forth.

But at the first, the pain wil seem to encrease; but afterward, it wil be mitigated, and cease.

The Root of the sharp Dock gathered in the Spring before it groweth forth and dried, applied to the Tooth pained, doth appease the pain by a specifical propriety: which is confirmed by the experi∣ment of Forestus, in Obs. 6. lib. 4. where he saith, That he applied this Root green, and cut in smal pieces to the Tooth of a Maid with good success; and that he Cured many other therewith after he had given them universal Medicines.

If the body be wel purged, and the head be not very ful of flegm, Masticatories to draw the Hu∣mors from the part affected wil do very wel: which are made either of Pelitory of Spain a long time h••ld in the mouth and chewed, or as followeth.

Take of Mastich, Pelitory of Spain, and Staphisagre▪ of each one dram: the seeds of Henbane half a dram: Pouder them, and mix them together, and make little balls thereof in a thin linnen Rag, which let him long chew, to make him spet.

Commonly the Oyl of Cloves is used in a little lint to stop the Tooth if it be hollow, or otherwise, for so the humor adhering to the part is drawn forth and the part strengthened.

Oyl of Camphire is very profitable for the same purpose.

Or Dissolve eight grains of Camphire in one dram of the Oyl of Cloves; and use it as a∣bove.

But above al the rest the Oyl of Box is extolled, which being but once dropt into the Tooth pre∣sently staies the pain.

This Oyl is made of Box cut in smal pieces, and then Distilled by descent, in two Vessels, the one put into the earth, the other above, upon which you must make a strong fire, and so the Oyl wil fal in∣to the lower vessel.

Besides the aforesaid Oyls, the Chymists commend the Oyl of the Hazel Nut used in the same manner.

If the pain be so great that it wil not away with the aforesaid Medicines, you must come to Nar∣coticks, which are set down by Practitioners und••r divers forms; although their effect is as uncertain as others: but they do surely stupifie the Pain: Among the rest Laudanum is chief, which doth not only appease the pain, but also stop the Flux; and it may be given safely after universal Remedies to the quantity of three or four grains, if it be wel prepared.

Many Topicks made of Narcoticks are carried about; These Two following are the best.

Take of Opium, Myrrh, and Labdanum, of each one dram: Pouder them, and with white Wine boyl them into a Liniment, which put with lint into the Tooth.

The Other is the Emplaister of Riverius, Chief Physitian to Henry the Great above men∣tioned.

If Worms be in the Teeth you must kil them with bitter things: And this following is good for that.

Take of Aloes one dram: Camphire half a scruple: Aqua Vitae half a dram: mix them and apply thereof with lint to the Tooth.

It is to be observed, That the Teeth do seldom ake except they be hollow to the Nerve; therefore to take away the sence of pain burn the Nerve with an actual Cautery, or with Aqua Fortis, or Oyl of Vitriol, which often done to a very hollow Tooth, it wil be broken in pieces, and so drawn forrh.

If the Pain stil continueth, and the Tooth be very hollow, you must draw it out, and then the pain wil presently cease and never return.

But you must take heed that you draw not the Tooth when the Defluxion falls violently, or when the Head aketh, or the Gums swel, or when there is great pain.

And the Chirurgion is to be Admonished, That he pul it not out violently at one pul lest the brain be too much shaken, and the Jaw bone broken; from whence comes a great Flux of blood, a Feaver, and somtimes death.

After it is Drawn, close the part with your fingers, then let the mouth be washed with warm Oxycrate; and let him take heed of Cold Air, lest a new Defluxion fal upon the other Teeth.

But if the blood flow so fast that it wil scarce be stanched (which somtimes happeneth by the breach of the Vein and Artery, without the breach of the Jaw: And Varaiola reports of one that had his Tooth pulled out without iron or force but with the fingers, and yet bled a pint at one time, and as much the next day from the Artery under the Gum) This Flux of blood is stopt by laying a hard peice of lint like a ball, and holding it down for one hour or two with the fingers: If that wil not prevail, apply burnt Vitriol, and lay a Ragg upon it dipt in Vinegar, and compress it with your finger til you make an eschar. The last Remedy is an actual Cautery by which the blood wil present∣ly be stopped.

If any fearful people refuse burning and require other means, you must try those which Authors prescribe; As Paste made of the milk of Spurge, and the pouder of Frankincense mixed with a little Starch, the Root of Crowfoot, the Bark of the Mulbery Root, the pouder of Earth-worms, Pellito∣ry of Spain st••ept in Vinegar, and the Root of Wild Cowcumber so steept, and the like. But the Leaf of Elleboraster rub'd upon the Tooth is best; but you must not touch the other lest they also fal out.

A Country man troubled with the Tooth-ach, was perswaded by another to rubb his Tooth with Elleboraster; he unwittingly rubb'd al the Teeth on that side, and presently almost al his Teeth fel out: Therefore if any wil try this Medicine, I advise them to defend the other Teeth with soft Wax.

Although when there is a Tumor in the Jaws, the pain for the most part ceaseth; because the mat∣ter is carried outwards: Yet for the quick Dissolving of it, use this Liniment.

Take of Fresh Butter, and Hens Grease, of each one ounce: the Pouder of Flower-de-luce-Root, one dram: Sa••••ron half a scruple: Oyl of Chamomel and sweet Almonds, of each half an ounce: make a Liniment.

A Cataplasm made of Figgs, Bread and Vinegar, is better.

A Nettle bruised, and laid to the Jaw, doth quickly asswage the pain▪

This is the Cure of the Tooth-ach for the present. But if it return often, as is usual, you must use prevention, which is to hinder the breeding of those humors that flow thither; and let the Teeth be strengthened that they may be less capable to receive them. Therefore if it proceed from a hot cause, you must use such Medicines as were prescribed in the Cure of a hot distemper of the Liver and a hot Catarrh. If from a cold Cause you must take that course which is prescribed in the Cure of the cold distemper of the Brain; but you must strengthen the Teeth with the Medicines in the Chapter following.