Platerus golden practice of physick: fully and plainly discovering, I. All the kinds. II. The several causes of every disease. III. Their most proper cures, in respect to the kinds, and several causes, from whence they come. After a new, easie, and plain method; of knowing, foretelling, preventing, and curing, all diseases incident to the body of man. Full of proper observations and remedies: both of ancient and modern physitians. In three books, and five tomes, or parts. Being the fruits of one and thirty years travel: and fifty years practice of physick. By Felix Plater, chief physitian and professor in ordinary at Basil. Abdiah Cole, doctor of physick, and the liberal arts. Nich. Culpeper, gent. student in physick, and astrology.

The Cure.

This disease if it proceed by consent from the Nerves or the Brain, its Cure wil be common with that of an Apoplexy and other resolutions of the Nerves which then are also present: but if the gustatory instrument the Coat of the Tongue and Jaws be affected by Idio∣pathie, and that either grow dry or be coverd with slime, or be seasoned with a strange savor, to these the Indication of Cure shal be applied.

In a Driness the Cause must first be turned away, which if it arise from an evil custom that they sleep with their Mouth open, it must be changed by forbear∣ing to use it; * 1.1 especially if they are compel'd to breath so, their Nostrils being obstructed, then if they sleep with their head placed higher, and the pillow under it be raised up, experience teacheth that they may thus attract the Air more freely, because the largeness of the Nostrils is then the more dilated; and if snivel or flegm obstruct the Nostrils, they must be purged by Errhines and if a hotter course of living doth bring this driness, let them abstain from hot and salt meats, let them dilute their Wine wel, let them use Sallets at Supper especially, of Lettice, Succory, and the like, and let them not heat their body too much no other waies; then that the Air may not often enter the mouth and dry it, they ought to speak little, and spit seldom, seeing the spittle retain∣ed a long time, because it is glutinous, doth chiefly moisten the Tongue, and if it be dried, doth lenifie it again.

If this happen in some Internal hot disease especially as in burning and Continual Feavers the Cure must chiefly be directed, to extinguish the heat of the Feaver, & chiefly then, cold Epithems must often be applied, to the Heart, Liver, and parts from whence the heat chief∣ly ariseth. Afterwards Remedies shall be fitted to the coat of the mouth by lenifying and moistning this roughness with things soft, glutinous, and fat, which either they may keep in their mouth, chew, lick, or wash the mouth with them, or if they cannot, let their Tongue be anointed with the Finger or a Stick appli∣ed to them.

Prunes, Tamarinds, Sebestens, such as are kept dried, if being mollified again, with a gentle heat, they be kept in the mouth, lenifying with their grateful relish, they correct this fault.

Fresh Apples sliced, chewed and held a little in the mouth, de perform the same, as also the flesh and juyce of Melons, Guords and especially of Citruls, fresh Purslane as being eaten it doth presently correct the roughness of the Teeth, so also it doth very much lenifie the jaws, the which also Lettice held in the Mouth and chewed, doth.

If those things be conteined in the Mouth, which do actually Refrigerate, by extinguishing the heat they correct the driness, as Cold water, and Stones amongst which the Chrystal is beleeved to bring somewhat pe∣culiar.

The following Remedies also must be licked, or put into their Mouth which do correct the driness of the Tongue and Jaws, by their mucilaginiousness.

As, Take the white of one Egg, beat it wel with Sugar til it grow white, use it.

Or thus, Take of the Mucilage of the seeds of Quinces and Fleawort extracted with Rose-water, of each half an ounce; Syrup of Violets one ounce, mix them wel.

Or, Take of the aforesaid Composition one ounce, to which also you may add of the Mucilage of Apple kernels and seeds of Mallows half an ounce, the Infusion of Gum Tragacanth in Rose-water half an ounce, Sugar candy (espo∣cially if the Tongue be foul too) Honey of Roses of each two drams, mix them.

These Compositions made a little thicker being re∣ceived in broad baggs, and often moistned with Rose∣water, he may lay on his Tongue, and so keep them a while; or let Cloaths be moistened in these Liquors and be applied in like manner.

Which also may be done in this Decoction. Take of Sweet Prunes six, Violet flowers one pugil (because they have a glutinousness) Barley clensed one ounce, Quince seeds two drams, Fleawort one dram, Gum Tragacanth half a dram, boyl them in Water for the said use, adding a lit∣tle Honey or Sugar.

Things somwhat Unctuous, but made of those which are most pleasing, being administred after the same manner, do egregiously contemperate this driness.

Of which sort this is, Take of Fresh Butter, or instead of that, Oyl of sweet Almonds newly drawn, as much as is sufficient, White Sugar, or Candy, or Sugar of Roses, beat them together, and let him lick it.

Or thus, Take the white of one Egg, Starch Corn one dram, Milk as much as wil suffice, beat them wel, boyl them a little till it becomes a Frumenty, add of fresh Butter the like quantity, the whitest Sugar as much as is suffi∣cient, make a Hasty pudding, which let him use.

The Fat of a Hen or Capon boyled a little that it may be the more grateful, may perform the same.

Syrups of Violets, Jujubes, or others, may be lick∣ed so, or held in the Mouth.

Lotions for the Mouth may be made of the same things, dissolved for this use.

Or after this manner, Take of Syrup of Violets, Juju∣bes, of each one ounce and an half; the Decoction of Barley clensed four ounces, let him use it.

Or thus, Take of the fresh Leaves of Purslane and Let∣tice of each one handful; the flowers of Autumn Mallows, Dogshhead, Barley clensed, of each one pugil; the Roots of Liquorish one ounce, the seeds of Fleawort two drams, the seeds of Poppy one dram, boyl them in Water, and in one pound dissolve the white of one Egg beaten, Honey of Roses clensed, Syrup of Violets, of each one ounce; let him use it.

It is very convenient to wash the Mouth often with cold Milk, especially with Butter-milk.

But if that Blackness, Greenness, * 1.2 Yellowness, joyned with the Dri∣ness, doth signifie that the Tongue also is infected by Malignant vapors it is an ill sign, and so much the

worse, if heat be added to it. •• then those things being first administred which are due to a burning, malignant or pestilent Feaver, we must use things more cold and repressing malignity, especially acid things, adding al∣waies some things Lenitive, that they do not too much exasperate, of which also we wil treat in the Inflamma∣tions of the Jaws, to which also we add these follow∣ing.

Let them keep in their mouth sharp Fruits and chew them, as of Physick fruits, Orenges, Lemmons, Citrons or Pomegranats, or other Apples, Prunes, Cherries, Currans, and bunches of Barberries, and of herbs, Sorrel, Lettice, Purslane, but first steeped in Vinegar or acid juyces; or in Sallets, as flowers of Succory, Violets, with Vinegar, and the like.

Then let them wash their Mouth often with Rose∣vinegar diluted with Water; or with Sorrel-water.

Or with the Acid Broth of that seasoning of Cole∣worts and Rapes, and use that Acid Liquor either crude, or distilled first, which is Chirurgeons most ex∣cellent Remedy for these things approved on by expe∣rience.

If a little Camphire be added to pure Water 'tis also a fit Remedy.

Or let it be made after this manner, Take of Rose∣water three ounces, Nightshade water two ounces, the white of one Eg beaten, Camphire dissolved in Vinegar half a scruple, mix them.

Or such a Julep, Take of simple Syrup of Vinegar two ounces, of simple Oxymel one ounce, the waters of Roses, Vio∣lets, Water-lillies, of each three ounces; mix them.

Some commend this very much, Take of the Water of the greater Housleek, to which add a little Salt Ammoniack.

Yet after the use use of these, we must alwaies come to those things which Lenifie also, the which have been already spoken of.

Amongst which this also is commended above the rest. Take of the pulp of Gueard seeds, choice Manna, Su∣gar candy, of each one dram; with simple Oxymel make Forms, which he may keep in his mouth.

The other Remedies, especially if there be a great heat joyned and as it were an Inflammation, are ex∣plained in the Inflammations of the Jawes.

If slime growing to the Tongue and Jaws, do preju∣dice the Tast, and do also bring trouble, by its tenaci∣ty and stinking, the cause must first be removed.

Which if it proceed only from the taking glutinous things 'tis easily pre∣vented by washing the mouth alwaies after meat taken, * 1.3 till the reliques of these meats, or thick juyce, which do adhere, be washt of.

The same must be done also in the morning alwaies after they are up, if such filth be collected, either by reason of this Cause or from Vapors raised from the Meats at night, and the Teeth must be diligently clensed and rubbed, as al∣so shal be explained in their faults.

And that Fewer and less thick Vapors may arise, we must take Care the Supper be sober.

And lest that these exhalations being retained in the mouth, in progress of time may grow to the said parts, they must accustome to sleep with the mouth a little o∣pen, which when some are not used to do, by interpo∣sing a cloath, or holding a little cane in their mouth, they ought to make a way for the vapor.

If flegm breed this Tenacity in the Spittle, the afflux of that must be diverted, and that must be forced and spit forth by hawking, premising if it come hard, the Lo∣tions that shall presently be named, to cut and clense it.

But if the Cause or a hot Disease, an acute, malig∣nant Feaver, by drying or sending up filthy vapors and so incrassating the Spittle, do produce this thick filthy slime; first having respect to the Disease and the Cause as hath already been said formerly, Topick means as well in this as in another persevering cause, must be ap∣dlied to the part affected as followeth.

We take then out of the Mouth chiefly from the Tongue, Teeth, Gums and Jaws, this slime if it abound very much, with those things which have ••n absterfive power, and if it be very tenacious, incisive also, with which are mixed things lenitive, that they may not ex∣asperate the Tongue, especially if that be dry too, ap∣plying also things that work••actually, in the interim e∣ver and anon washing it, and if it yeild not easily, sera∣ping it.

The mouth is washt with things abstersive, as with the Decoction of whol Barley. Also with Whey, with Milk and Sugar.

Or with this following, Take of whol Barley, Red Pease or Vetches of each one pugil; roots of Liquorish one ounce, Figs twenty, flowers of Autumn Mallows one pugil, make a Decoction and in one pound dissolve of Honey or Sugar two ounces.

After washing let him hold Sugar candy in his mouth, or Lozenges of Sugar, Roses, or Manus Christi, or let him lick a little Honey of Roses.

If there be need of a greater Abstersion and Cutting, cerrain hotter things and acid things are added too, if the flegm be very tenacious.

As, Take of Barley, Vetches, of each one pugil; Liquo∣rish one ounce and an half, Leaves of Sage, Marjoram, Hy∣sop, of each two drams; Quince seed one dram, make a De∣coction in Water and white Wine, add Honey of Roses two ounces, Sugar Candy one ounce, wine of Pomegranates or Vi∣negar a litttle, mix them, make a Lotion for the Mouth; if you add as much Allum or a good quantity of it, when it is very tough, it is most powerfully abstersive.

Or, Take of the waters of Roses, Plantans, Nightshade, of each two ounces; the waters of Sage, Marjoram, of e••ch one ounce; simple Oxymel two ounces, white Wine Vinegar a little.

Let him take often one spoonful of Oxysaccharum, or Hydromel, or of simple Oxymel, or of Squils, if it be very tenacious, and after some time let him wash his mouth, and again repeat the Syrups, to which if it give not way, some portion of Allum must be mixed with them.

Or Vinegar of Squils diluted must be held in the mouth, with which I have somtimes observed, that the most tenacious matter, which formely could be taken away by no means, hath at length departed from the mouth.

This matter also must be scraped off, if it stick perti∣naciously, yet so that we do not too much exasperate the Tongue, and so give occasion to a greater Inflam∣mation, especially if it be very dry and cleft, in which thing Chirurgeons offend often.

But this is done by rubbing the Tongue, as also the Teeth, Palate, with the finger or an Instrument fitted for it, coverred with a Linnen cloth, and dipt in the Lotions above-mentioned; which also is commodi∣ously done with the Leaves of Sage, Mint, moistened after the like manner: also that filthiness is scruped off with a round usual Instrument made of Sallow or silver, such as Chirurgeons have, drawing it leasurely over the Tongue, in the interim oftentimes washing the mouth and by & by again lenifying the Toung with an Oynt∣ment; but oftentimes the flegm is so tenacious and the slime thick like Frumenty it may be laid hold on by the

hands and so taken forth, or drawn, and by that means forced to yeild.

If a Vapor or Humor season and fill up the Tongue with a strange savour, * 1.4 that it perceives not other things at all, or amiss, the cause also must first of all be declined.

Which if it proceed from things taken, seeing it doth no waies induce a long lasting affect, and ceaseth of its own accord, 'tis neglected; or will easily be amended with the contraries, as shall be said by and by.

But if this arise from an internal disease, a filthy vapor or a cholerick alimentary humor heaped up there, the intention of curing is directed, to the evacuation of these humors, and healing the Diseases.

But if that adverse savor doth no waies cease the cause being taken away, but persevering a long time, be trou∣blesom to those otherwise sound and to the sick, the contrary savor being procured by things given, we ei∣ther take away or amend the former which did trou∣ble.

So the Sweet savor as wel the Alimental as that which is sweet indeed being very adverse for the most part to the Feaverish & other sick folks, the which notwithstan∣ding was otherwise most grateful to them in health, is corrected chiefly with acid or tart things, which do not only mend that, but also bring an appetite too, which sweet things take away, and asswage the thirst, which sweet things increase; which acid things let them keep in their mouth, and lick, amongst which acid Cherries such as are wont to be kept dried and softened again, and many others of that nature, which shal be explain∣ed in thirst do very much and this nauseous unsweetness of the mouth.

The which bitter things also do likewise correct, be∣ing more acceptable to some natures, especially if they confist of a sweet smel as principally Wormwood in Wine which adds a greater gratfulness to it.

As the bitter savour again too long sticking on the Tast is corrected with Sweet or Acid things, and with those that are insipid, which also do dull the vertues of them which otherwise would inflame the Jaws.

With which also the salt savor is contemperated, as again the salt savor is dulled with things insipid.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Cure of the want of Tasting from the driness of the coat of the mouth.
• * 1.2

  The Cure of the want of Tasting from a driness of the Tongue with blackness joyned to it.
• * 1.3

  The Cure of the want of Tasting from slime of the coat com∣passing the mouth.
• * 1.4

  The Cure of a depra∣ved tast from the sea∣soning of the Tongue.