Ars chirurgica a compendium of the theory and practice of chirurgery in seven books ... shewing the names, causes, signs, differences, prognosticks, and various intentions of curing all kinds of chirurgick diseases ... : to which is added Pharmacopoeia chirurgica, or, The medical store, Latin and English ... / by William Salmon ...

CHAP. XLIV. Of CORROSION and ROTTENNESS of the TEETH.

I. THEY are called in Greek, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Erosio Dentium, & 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. in Latin, Corrosio & caries Dentium; and in English, Corrosion, eating away, and rottenness of the Teeth.

II. The Cause. They are often corroded and corrupted by the afflux of sharp and acrid Humors to them: from whence comes a pain of the Teeth, and then a corrosion and caries follows; so that they break away, and are lost bit by bit.

III. The eating of several sorts of Food is a cause, as Hippocrates in his Book de Affectionibus saith: all sweet things, as Sugar, Honey, (which have in them a radical Acid) Raisons, Figs, Sweet∣meats and Confections, cor∣rode, rot, and totally spoil the Teeth: and that is the reason that you scarcely ever see a Confectioner, but with a mouth∣ful of rotten Teeth; for the very fumes of the Sugar destroy them.

IV. They are also corrupted by eating things too hot, according to the vulgar Verse:

Pultes ferventes, faciunt cor∣rumpere Dentes.

If you would have Teeth sound and fair, Things scalding-hot you must forbear,

V. Cold on the contrary, is as great an enemy to them: more especially, if things vehemently cold be taken immediately after things vehemently hot.

VI. The Teeth are also hurt by several Medicaments, as Vitriol and Mercury, and by Fucuses made of Mercury: and that is the reason that many using those kinds of things, have for the most part very bad Teeth.

VII. They are also corrupted by a Fistula, and sometimes by Worms, Tumors in the Gums, &c.

VIII. The Prognosticks. This evil is more matter of deformity than danger; if of long continu∣ance, never cured, but by the extraction of the Teeth: if the Disease is recent, it submits to the following Remedies.

IX. The Cure. If it proceeds from the afflux of Humors, they are to be diverted and carried off; first with Emeticks, because they meet first with the Humor, and make an immediate diversion: secondly, by Catharticks; the chief of which is Sal Mirabile, which may be given six or seven times.

X. If the cause is from a Fi∣stula, the only remedy is extra∣ction: which yet Sennertus will not allow, unless the Tooth is loose: but this is certain, if

they be not taken out, they will corrupt the next adjacent Teeth that are sound.

XI. If the cause is from Worms, often wash the Mouth with juice of Onions, or Rue, mixed with Nitre; and hold it a quarter of an hour or more at a time upon the Gums, and this five or six times a day.

XII. Crato commends the De∣coction of Ashtree-roots and Net∣tles, also the juice of the leaves of the lesser Centory, of Peach-leaves, Aloes, Myrrh, &c. and others commend the washing with Spirit of Wine, i. e. com∣mon Brandy.

XIII. Where the cause is by defluxion, having used inwardly Ʋniversals, as at Sect. 9. above, you must then come to the appli∣cation of Topicks. A Decoction in Wine or Vinegar, or a Tin∣cture in common Brandy of the following things, are good Re∣percussives, and strengthners of the Teeth and Gums; as roots of Capers, Cinkfoil, Cyperus, Pyrethrum, Catechu, Cortex Pe∣ruanus & Winteranus, leaves of Sage, Mint, Rosemary, Myrrh, Nigella-seeds, &c.

XIV. The following Mixture hinders the corrosion, and farther rotting of the Teeth. ℞ Myrrh in pouder ʒ j. Alum ʒ ss. with Honey, q.s. make an Electuary; with which daily rub the putri∣fied and corroded Teeth. You may rub them also with this Mixture: ℞ Fine pouder of Coral ℥ j. juice of Limons ℥ ss. Honey q.s. mix them.

XV. Dissolve Nitre in Vinegar or juice of Limons, and therewith wash the Teeth; it cleanses them, and stops the corrosion and rotting: ℞ Pouder of Bricks ℥ j. Spirit of Sulphur ʒ iij. Ho∣ney q.s. mix, to rub the Teeth with: and after eating always wash the Teeth with fair Water and a Brush, to keep them clean.

XVI. If the Teeth be hollow, stop them with a few grains of Frank∣incense, or Myrrh, which is better; for this last preserves them from farther rotting: or Myrrh mixt with Coral, in pouder.