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.

CHAP. V. Of the Pain of the Ears.

The Kinds.

THe Kinds of inward pains in the Ears are from the diversity of the propriety, as there is any thing in them or not, we speak not here of outward pains.

Somtimes there is only an itching in the Ear, * 1.1 such as the finger or an Ear picker can scarse allay.

Somtimes there is a pricking pain and beating, * 1.2 more or less, with bur∣ning, and pain on that side of the Head, and it is either increased or not, with things put into the Ear.

In these pains there is a Disease somtimes apparent, as redness to the whole Ear, or more inward to be seen by the light: or Exulceration. Often blood, matter, floweth out, of it self, or by pressing the lower part. We have seen water come forth in abundance, as in a Girle after a fal, first blood, then water with pain, and after blood and water, and then death followed, after a few daies sleep. Somtimes worms come forth. Somtimes pain is deep without these signs.

The Causes.

The Membranes only are sensible, * 1.3 which are about the Cavities and the pain is from them, either from the Membrane most outward, before the drum, or from that within, be∣hind the drum, being dilated by the Nerve; and then the pain is with noise. The Diseases that cause this pain in the Membranes are cold or hot distemper or Ma∣lignant, a stretching, or manifest hurt of the Mem∣brane.

A hot distemper causeth itching in the Ears, * 1.4 but an Inflamation causeth pain, that is pricking, beating or shooting with burning. This pain is as the blood that flowes thither is hotter, or more inflamed. And they have a little feaver with shivering and with Head-ach. And when the Inflammation turnes to an impostume the pain encreaseth, and when it breaks the pain ceaseth, and bloody matter comes first, then concocted or discoulered: this matter retai∣ned causeth itching and new pain, and corrupting caus∣eth worms somtimes. We thought this matter had come from an Ulcer without the canal of the Eare, because the Ear being pressed near therto, it came forth. The cause of this hot distemper is either pains from outward injuries, that causeth the defluxion into the part: or fulness and heat of blood in the Veins, that flows upon the part, with a Feaver and Head-ach go∣ing afore.

A cold distemper from cold Air outwardly or wind disturbs the Mem∣branes in the outward Cavity of the Ear and causeth pain, * 1.5 or cold water in the Ear: It is somtimes in the in∣ward Chamber of the Ear from the defluxion of a wa∣terish humor, such as we see fall cold from the Nose, which distempers the inward Membranes.

An evil qualitie that causeth the pains in the Head and bony parts in the french Pox and other diseases, * 1.6 may hurt these Membranes in the Cavities of the Ears, and cause a pricking pain.

The itching in the outward part of the Ear or tickling comes often from irritation, * 1.7 or provokling, as from hot blood, boyling in the Vessels of these Membranes, or from matter, or chol∣lerick filth in the Ear, or other things fallen into the Ears, which chiefly offend the outward Mem∣brane.

A stretching by which these Membranes seem to be as it were pulled from the bones to which they are joy∣ned, causeth a stretching pain in the Ears, this same thing is from wind, from which there is rather a strange noise, then a pain, as we shewed in the hurt of hearing, * 1.8 except it sil the inward Chamber of hearing so that pressing the Membranes it causeth a kind of pain. Or being bred under the Membranes of both Cavities internal and external (as wind, may bred in the whol body and is most constrai∣ned between the Membranes) it cause a twiching and tearing pain, by drawing the Membranes from the bones. I have known this distension in the Ears with much pain by consent of the Membranes through the whol body, come from straining much in going to the stool, and in pissing forth a stone from the neck of the Bladder, and in great and loud Vociferation and whooping, and also in difficult Child bearing, as in one who had no pain during her travil, but in her ears. And she was dul of hearing all the time of her lying in and long after.

A manifest hurt from outward in∣juries or things fallen in or thrust into the ears, * 1.9 which prick or cut the Mem∣branes causeth pain. And if there were violence and blood comes forth, there is a mani∣fest wound; And Inflammation come, the pain is in∣creased, and the more, if an Impostume follow, which being broken, matter cometh forth.

The Cure.

The Cure is divers, in respect of the Disease, as it is a hot distemper Inflammation or Ulcer, or a cold dis∣temper Malignant, or other hurt.

If the Ears only inwardly itch from a hot distemper it goes of it self away, * 1.10 espe∣cially, if the Air be cool, or by cold Me∣dicines, which I shall declare; Or if hot blood remaining in the Vessels, cause the itching, it is cured by revelling that, and purging and cooling it. * 1.11 But if In∣flammation cause pain, you must per∣sently draw back the Flux of blood from the part, and stop it from retur∣ning, allay the heat, asswage the pain, and discuss what remains. Or if it come to an Impostume and being bro∣ken, leaves an Ulcer, you must proceed, as in that case. Thus,

We revel and derive the Flux of blood, by let∣ting blood, by Scarifying and Cupping and by Hors∣leeches, and by Friction, as in Opthalmy.

And we use the same Clysters and Purges if the body be bound as in Ophthalmy.

We give to drink things that cool and thicken to stop the course of the blood when hot especially, and things that by propriety asswage pain in the Ears, as they say the flesh of Dormice made up with Honey doth.

We use the medicines mentioned in Ophthalmy to the jugular veins and temples to hinder the Flux, and if there be Head-ach, we use Vinegar of Roses and o∣ther things to oppose both pains.

Into the Ears we drop many Liquors, two or three drops, and if these fill the Ear, after they wet the sides thereof, that they may not longer hinder the Hearing, especially if strong, least they hurt the Drum, you must turn the Head that they may fall out of the Ear again. Or you must apply outwardly hot Cataplasms upon the Ear, so that they may fill the Cavity. or a Fomen∣tation with a Spunge. or a hot Fume. and we use Al∣layers of pain when it riseth, and things that repell or drive back at the first if there be a flux, and Coolers, and in the progress and declination we use Digesters, and if it imposthumate, we use Digesters thus.

To asswage pain, new warm Milk or the white of an Egg beaten to Liquor, Ducks or Hens Grease, Oyl of sweet Almonds and yolks of Eges, or Oyl in which Earth-worms or Snails have been boyled, which have been first taken out of their shels with the slime, or in which Hog-lice or Millipides have been boyled, or Oyl of Poppy, or Henbane seed, or the juyce of Poppy or Henbane.

Or drop these Compositions into the Ears. Take Womens Milk two ounces, the white of a an Egg beaten half an ounce; with Goose Grease two drams: mix them.

Another. Take mucilage of Fleabane and Faenugreek seeds, and whites of Eggs beaten, each half an ounce; Goose grease two drams: mix them with Oyl of Almonds and Milk; add three or four grains of Opium to make it stronger.

A third. Take Oyl of sweet Almonds two ounces, juyce of Mallows half an ounce, Myrrh half a dram, Saffron half a scruple, Opium three or four grains.

A fourth. Take Oyl of white Henbane seed a dram, as much Saffron and Castor as a Pease; mix them.

An anodyne Emplaster. Take crums of Bread a pound, boyl them in Milk, add flour of Line seed and Faenugreek each an ounce; Oyl of Chamaemel an ounce and an half, two yolks of Eggs: mix them, and if you add Opium it wil be better.

Or: Take Marshmallow rootts an ounce, Mallows, Nighshade, St. Johns wort, each a handful; flowers Dill, Chamaemel, Roses, each a pugil; Line seed half an ounce, Mallows, Marshamallows, and Poppy seeds, each two drams: make a Decoction in Water or Milk for a Fomentation or Fume: If you add Leaves of Poppy, or Henbane, or Man∣drake roots, or Poppy heads when there is pain it will be better.

O: Take the faeces of this Decoction, and beat them with Hogs grease, Calves marrow, mucilage of Fleabane and Faenugreek, each an ounce; Oyl of Chamaemel and Violets, each an ounce; fresh Butter an ounce and an half, Saffron half a dram: make a Cataplasm.

To drive back and to ease pain. Take Oyl of Roses, and Violets, and sweet Almonds, each equal parts, add Earth∣worms, Sows, Snails, and with a little white Wine, boyl and strain them.

Or: Take Oyl of Roses two ounces, Vinegar an ounce, Saffron half a scruple, Opium three or four grains, boyl them til the Vinegar is consumed, or in stead of Opium and Saffron, add Philonium Romanum two drams, boyl them in Oyl and Vinegar.

To cool and drive back, put in Oyl of Roses or Violets, juyce of Plantane, Nightshade, Willow, Venus navel, and the like.

Or this: Take Oyl of Roses an ounce and an half, juyes of Pomegranates and Plantane, each half an ounce; white Wine Vinegar two drams: boyl them till the Juyces are consumed.

Or this Fomentation. Take Plantane, Willow, Vio∣lets, Lettice, each an handful; red Roses a pugil, Pomegra∣nate flowers half a pugil, Pomegranate Pills half an ounce, boyl them in red Wine, and with a little Vinegar foment the Ear.

Or: Take the residence of this Decoction: add meal of Lentiles a pugil, oyl of Roses and Myrtles, each an ounce and an half; one raw Egg, make a Cataplasm for to be laid upon the Ear.

To discuss the Inflammation, mix hot things, and in the decrease use them alone, as Oyl of Chamaemel, Melilot, Dill, Lillies, dropt into the Ears, and other hot things inwardly and outwardly, such as shal be menti∣oned when it proceeds from a cold cause.

If the Inflammation tends to maturation which is known by the beating and not ceasing of pain use things to digest as Basi∣licon with Line seed Oyl into the Ears. * 1.12

Outwardly apply this Cataplasm which asswageth pain. Take a great Onyon and white Lilly roots, roast them in the Embers, beat them, add Lineseed meal an ounce, Butter an ounce and an half, oyl of Chamomel and Line seed each half an ounce, Saffron half a dram: make a Cataplasm.

The juyce of an Onyon openeth a ripe Imposthume with Leaven dissolved in it.

If an Ulcer follow the Impost∣hume opened first clense, * 1.13 then add Driers, and heal it with the same.

Use the same Clensers as were prescribed for Hear∣ing hindered. And these,

Sugar, or Sugar candy, or Honey dissolved in Whey or Barley water.

These are stronger, Honey of Squils, juyce of Smallage, Fennel, Beets, Onyons, Leeks, Horehound, Wormwood, Cen∣tory, alone, or with Honey.

The Decoction of Lupines and Agarick do the same.

Wine clenseth wel, and also Lixivinm or Lie.

Turpentine with Honey and Wine doth the same.

Aegyptiacum is the strongest, for a sordid Ulcer, tem∣pered with Honey if you please.

To heal and dry. Take Plantane, Shepheards pouch, and Shepheards rod, Scabious, Birthwort, Solomons seal, Fleabane, and the thickned juyces of green Grapes, Oyl of O∣live and Hypocistis alone or with Wine Vinegar and Ho∣ney.

Or the Decoction of Birthwort, Galls, Pomegranate peels, and other Driers in Wine or steeled Water.

Rust of Iron in astringent Wine and a little Vinegar is excellent or the Decoction of Litharge.

This is best. Take fine pouder of Steel half an ounce, Vitriol a dram: boyl them in Wine and Vinegar, or Vine∣gar alone if you wil have it stronger, and strain it.

A good Liniment. Take Cinnabar and Litharge, of each equal parts, and with Honey or syrup of dried Roses: make a Liniment, drop a little into the Ear, or put it up∣on a Tent.

Or this to breed flesh. Take Ceruss, Tutty prepared,

each a dram; roots of Birthwort, Myrrh, Sarcocol, Aloes each half a dram; Orris a scruple, make a fine Pouder: mix them with Honey Or juyce of green Grapes.

It is stronger with Verdegreece and filings of Iron quenched and ground with Vinegar, especially when a Scar is to be raised.

You may use divers Waters for the Eyes here, and the strongest, because the Ear is less offended therewith than the Eye.

To Cure an Ulcer in the Ear, a Fume is excellent, because it gets through and drieth, as of Pitch, Turpen∣tine, Frankincense, and other Gums burned, which are Driers. Or the Pouders mentioned white a little Cin∣nabar which is very drying.

If Worms breed from the filth of the Ear and provoke, * 1.14 you must draw them out or kill them, as was shewed in the Defect of Hearing from things fallen in.

Juyce of Wormwood is the best to kil them, and of Centory, Arsmart, and Peach Leaves, and of wild Cowcumber.

Or a Decoction of Lupins, Coloquintida, white Hellebore in Wine vinegar.

Or Beasts Galls.

Or bitter Oyls, as of Peach kernels, and bitter Al∣monds.

Or thus. Take Coloquintida half a scruple, white Helle∣bore a scruple, Aloes half a dram: with the juyce of Peach leaves make a Liniment.

In the Worms of the Ear for killing and drawing forth, as in the Worms of the Nose and Brain, the Oyntment of Capons Grease, and Oyl of Hazel, with a little Mercury precipitate or sweet is good, if it be put into the Ears with Cotton. And the Decoction of Hemp distilled.

If the pain come from a simple cold distemper, * 1.15 or with matter from Wind, then if the Humor or Wind be present, we use Cupping or Friction to revell it, and Cly∣sters and Purges which do the same, and evacu∣ate the humor. And we derive the matter by the Mouth and Nose, as is shewed in the Hurt of Hearing, from these causes, and we discuss with Baths and other Sudoroficks. If it be only a distemper, we alter it with heat and hot Diet, as with the flesh of Dormice as we shewed, which hath a propriety.

We use the same things inwardly and outwardly to the Ears, or these.

Take Oyl of biter Almonds, of Peach kernels, Chamomil, Melilot, Dill, alone or together.

When the pain is intollerable. Take Oyl of Henbane seeds half a dram, Castor half a scruple, Saffron six grains.

Or: Take a hollow Onyon and put into it Castor, Eu∣phorbium, each half a scruple; Opium six grains, fil it with Oyl of bitter Almonds roasted in the Embers: strain and use it.

Or: Take a piece of a Snakes skin, boyl it in Oyl of Worms, add Sows or woodlice, and strain it, you may add a little Oyl of Scorpions.

Or: Take juyce of Pellitory, Horehound, each an ounce; Oyl of Bayes an ounce and an half, Ox gall a scruple, Hens grease a little: boyl them til the Juyces are spent, anoynt and drop into the Ear.

A little Spunge dipt in Vinegar with a little Salt is good to be applied close to the Ears.

This Decoction or the Fume thereof is good for the Ear. Take Organ, Pennyroyal, Rue, Baies, each a hand∣ful; Wormwood half a handful, Chamomel, Melilot, and Dill flowers, each a pugil; Bay, Elder, or Ivy berries, each an ounce; Faenugreek seeds two drams, Carua seeds a dram: boyl them in Wine and Water.

Make Bags of these Driers.

Or thus: Take Panicum a pugil, Organ, Marjoram, each a handful; Chamomel flowers a pugil, Saffron half a dram: pouder them for a Bag.

Or: Take roasted Onyons and Leeks, each three ounces; beat them, add meal of Line seed and Foenugreek, each half an ounce; Peach kernels an ounce, boyl in Milk and stamp them, add Goose grease an ounce, Oyl of Dill, or Earth-worms, or Butter two ounces, Saffron a scruple.

They say it is good against pain to rub the Ear with Garlick, because it draweth the matter outwards: but the roots of Squils, Sowbread, Cuckow-pints, or Dra∣gons, are stronger.

Some apply green Tobacco leaves to the Ears, and then dry them, and apply them again.

If an evil malignant quality as in a long Head-ach and French Pox produce pricking in the Ears with noise; * 1.16 after long and strong evacu∣ations by Sweat especially, it ceaseth with the Disease, and if any remain it is taken away by the Topicks mentioned in a cold cause and moist, in the Cure.

Provocations, Itchings, and other pains of the Ears, * 1.17 if they come from filth in them, or that falls into them, we shewed you how they may be removed in the hinderence of Hearing.

The violent hurts which cause a Wound, * 1.18 are cured as other pun∣cturs and wounds. First if In∣flammation be feared, let blood, and repell it with things put into the Ears. Then drop in things that asswage pain, and stop the Flux, after use Driers and Healers, as we shewed in Ulcers.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Itching of the Ears.
• * 1.2

  A pricking, bea∣ting, shooting and burning in the Ears.
• * 1.3

  The place affected.
• * 1.4

  A hot distemper causeth itching in the Ears.
• * 1.5

  A cold distem∣per causeth pain in the Ears.
• * 1.6

  A Malignant quality causeth pain of the Ears.
• * 1.7

  Provoking or rubbing caus∣eth itching of the Ears.
• * 1.8

  Stretching in the Ears, caus∣eth pain.
• * 1.9

  A wound or other hurt causeth pain in the Ears.
• * 1.10

  The Cure of itch in the Ears from a distemper.
• * 1.11

  The Cure of Inflammation in the Ears.
• * 1.12

  The Cure of Impost∣humes in the Ears af∣ter Inflammation.
• * 1.13

  The Cure of an Ul∣cer of the Ear after an Imposthume.
• * 1.14

  The Cure of worms in the Ears.
• * 1.15

  The Cure of pain in in the Ear from a cold distemper and distension.
• * 1.16

  The Cure of pain in the Ear from malignity.
• * 1.17

  The Cure of pain of the Ears and Itching from Irritation or Provocation.
• * 1.18

  The Cure of a pain of the Ear by a wound.