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.

The Cure is according to the diversity of the Cause as it comes either from a Defluxion of blood or other excrements, or from a cold distemper or provocation, from rotten teeth or other compulsion or exasperation, or from solution of Continuity when the Gums are pierced, or the teeth drawn forth.

If tooth-ach come from flux of Blood or Water, then take a∣way the cause of the Defluxion by keeping the humor from fal∣ling upon the part, and sending it another way, and consuming it, and correcting the distemper which comes from thence, and in the mean while asswaging the pain, by these means.

Blood-letting at first when it is from a bloody flux, and there is pain of the Head, is good to revell or draw away from the part.

Also Sacrification and Cupping in the Neck and Shoulders is good in all Defluxions: By these means at certain times used, the Vulgar prevent the tooth-ach. And to take it away, use Sacrification in the Wrist, or in the back of the Hand, between the thumb and fore∣finger, on that side the pain is.

We divert these Defluxions also by Vesicatories and Cauteries as others. And apply Vsicatories to the Wrists and back of the Hand: as a head of Garlick stampt.

And we use Frictions and Ligatures, as in other De∣fluxions.

And Purgers by the Nose in a flegmatick Defluxion to divert it from the part affected. By blowing the Nose often, and using of Errhiens or sneesings to the Nose, amongst whtch juyce of Brooklime and Mary∣golds is accounted the most proper for the tooth∣ach.

Also things that draw slegm from the Mouth which shal be after shewed: But this must be done after ge∣neral purging, especially if humors abound, and are flowing, lest evacuations by the Nose and Mouth draw the humor more to the teeth.

We also purge by stool with divers medicines, as in other Defluxions.

And apply things to the temples in all humors to keep them from the teeth, using such things as were mentioned in Defluxtions of the Eyes, especially Pla∣sters in the hollow between the Forehead and the tem∣ples, upon the side pained night and day, which some∣times retain the humor flowing, that the pain ceaseth, and cometh to the temples.

If the Defluxion be hot, in the beginning we apply to the teeth astringents that heat not, to repell it, but when it ceaseth to flow, we apply to the teeth things that discuss and consumes the humor. In a cold De∣fluxion, at first we use hot things with Repellers, after very hot things alone. In all cases adding things that allay pain. These are of divers forms, somtimes to be held between the teeth, or otherwise applied to them, or put into the hollow, or us'd as Fumes or Smoak, they are made of the following ingredients.

When we astringe chiefly, and so stop the Flux, we make Decoctions to be held hot in the Mouth, as the Decoctions of Tormentil which is best, and of Ver∣vain boyled in Wine, and of the inward bark of an Ash.

Or this compound Decoction. Take roots of Tor∣mentil, Snakeweed, five-leav'd Grass, Mullein, each half an ounce; Cypress roots two drams; bark of Box tree, or Mul∣berry and Capars, each half an ounce; Ivy, Vervain, Plan∣tane, each a handful; Pomegranate flowers and red Roses, each a pugil: Cypress Nuts, Galls, and Acorn cups, each two drams; Coriander soeds, Myrtles and red Sanders, each a dram: boyl them in red Wine, add Vinegar, if you wil have it stronger.

Rose water is good to bind with Plantane water, red Wine and Vinegar.

Water of Mullein is counted excellent.

Or: Take filings of Iron a dram and an half, Vitriol a dram: boyl them in Wine and Vinegar.

After the Defluxion add some hot things thus: Take roots of five-leav'd grass or Tormentil an ounce, roots of Pellitory half an aunce, Cypress roots two drams, Leaves of

Ivy, Sage, Hysop, each a handful; red Roses, L••ntiles, each a pugil; white Poppy seeds two drams, long Pepper a dram: boyl them in Wine.

Or thus: Take Sage, Hysop, Vervain, each a handful; boyl them in a pint of Wine: add two drams of Al∣lum.

Or: Take Galls, Snakeweed roots, each two drams; Orris roots a dram, Hysop a handful, Frankincense, Sanda∣rach, each two drams; Juniper berries an ounce: boyl them in red Wine.

Or: Take Mastich an ounce, Sage, Hysop, each a hand∣ful: boyl them in equal parts in Wine and Vinegar.

Or this Pouder: Take Snakeweed roots a dram, Al∣lum and Pellitory, each a scruple: make a Pouder, apply it or rub therewith.

When we wil heat chiefly, hold these Decoctions in the Mouth, so hot as may be, and take it in again as fast as it cooleth.

The Vulgar use roots of Pellitory, or Pepper, or Ginger boyled in Wine.

Another: Take Calamints, Organ, Pennyroyal, Hysop, Sage, each a handful; Marjoram, Bay leaves, each half a handful; Juniper berries half a pugil: boyl them in Wine.

Or this which hath often profited: Take wild Time' Sage, Rosemary, each a handful; Ginger a dram, Caraway seeds half an ounce, red Pease, Salt, each a pugil: boyl them in white Wine.

Or this: Take Pellitory roots half an ounce, Angelica roots, each two drams; add Garlick and Radish, Hysop, Sa∣vory, Sage, Marjoram, Pennyroyal, wild Time, Rosemary flowers, and red Roses, each a dram; or a handful if they be fresh, long and black Pepper, Cubebs, grains of Paradise, Cloves, Mustard seed, Gith and Stavesacre, each half a dram; Salt or Niter, each two drams: bruise and boyl them in Wine, or infuse them, and use the strained Li∣quor.

The Decoction of Coloquintida in Wine is bitter, but very profitable.

Sage and Rosemary distilled in Wine is also good.

Also Aqua vitae or Spirit of Wine or Juniper berries applied do work quickly and strongly.

Or this: Take Pepper, Ginger, grains of Paradise, each a dram; Cloves two drams, Cinnamon half on ounce: add white Wine, steep and distil them.

Or thus: Take Pellitory, long and black Pepper, each two drams; Mustardseed, Water-cresses and Gith seed, each a dram: pouder them, and with Aqua vitae use it as the other.

Or of the simples in the hot Decoction mentioned dried and poudered, make an Infusion and Distilla∣tion.

The Oyl of Juniper berries, or Spike, or Spices di∣stilled, and dipt in Cotton, and put into the tooth doth well.

Somtimes we use Bags to the teeth to be bitten by the tooth affected thus made: Take Sage leaves, and bruise them, and with a little Salt and Pepper, make a Bagg.

Or thus: Take Pellitory, Pepper, Mustard seed, Salt, each equal parts; pouder them for a Bag, dip it in hot Vinegar and apply it to the teeth.

Or thus: Take Pellitory, long Pepper, Stavesacre, each equal parts: make a pouder, and apply it in a Bag sprink∣led with Aqua vitae.

Somtimes we give things that inflame the Jaws, as bark of Laurel taking of the outward rind that is hard, also the roots of Spurge and Crow-foot, according to Dioscorides, these are put between the teeth, lest they should burn the Jaws by touching them, but if you boyl them in white Wine they they are milder.

This latter Decoction is so used, made of Solomons seal roots, and white Hellebore, and bark of Laurel in Wine and Vinegar.

The Anodynes following are alwaies to be used, when the Defluxion ceaseth especially, because they work by propriety.

Hot Milk, Butter, and common Oyl, or Oyl of sweet Almonds are good to be held in the mouth.

Also Bread chewed and applied as a Cataplasm be∣tween the teeth and Cheeks.

Also warm Broath and the Decoction of Marsh∣mallow roots, Bread, and Lineseed in Milk.

Another that draws forth water. Take rooots of Marshmallows and Liquorish, each an ounce; Sage a hand∣ful, Figs twelve, Faenugreek seeds an ounce: boyl them in Water.

A Decoction of Guajacum and Salt is commended.

Or Leaven applied with Vinegar in the Decoction thereof held in the Cheeks.

Or this: Take Sandarach or Varnish half an ounce, Wine or Vinegar, or both four ounces, or six: boyl them to the consumption of the third part, and hold it in the mouth, or dissolve Sandarach in Vinegar and apply it.

Gum Galbanum, Ammoniacum, Sagapenum, a∣lone, or foftened with Aqua vitae and Vinegar put into a hollow tooth, or spread and laid as a Plaster to the teeth, cures the tooth-ach.

Or this: Take Camphire half a dram, Aqua vitae an ounce: boyl it til the Camphire be consumed, and apply it: or with Wine and Vinegar.

Also Camphire and Oyl of Cloves, or of sweet Al∣monds, or Oyl of Camphire.

The pouder of Camphire with the pouder of Hen∣bane root equal parts, suddenly taketh away the tooth∣ach, the seeds of Henbane may be used for the root, and they wil be stronger.

A Snakes Skin also boyled in Wine and Vinegar, or dried in an Oven, or burnt to pouder and mixt with Oyl, to anoynt the teeth is commended, or the Skin of a Toad used the same way, is an excellent medicine.

Dioscorides writes that the prick in the tail of the Fish Pastinaca applied to the tooth takes awy pain.

In great pain we use Stupefactives with caution that they be not swallowed.

As the Opiate Antidotes fresh made as Philonium Ro∣manum, Treacle, Mithridate, to rub the teeth, to a dram of which a scruple of Pellitory and Nigella or Gith seed, and a grain of Opium may be added.

A small pil of Opium alone put into the tooth pre∣sently takes away the pain, and it is good to add a little Wax that it may not fall out.

Or this: Take Opium and Henbane seed, each four grains Smallage seed two grains, with Aqua vitae make Pils.

Or thus: Take Camphire a scruple, boyl it in an ounce of Aqua vitae til it dissolve, then add Opium three or four grains, dip a little Cotton therein and thrust it into the tooth.

Or thus: Take of spirit of Wine two or thre ounces, add Camphire two drams, set it in the Sun til the Camphire dis∣solve, then distil it: apply this spirit as the other.

Other Stupefactives are made of Henbane seeds, Pepper, roots of Pellitory and burnt Allum equal parts made up with Aqua vitae into a Mass.

Or thus: Take Henbane seed half a dram, Pellitory and Ginger each two drams; Smallage seeds a dram, Mastich three drams, Roses a pugil: boyl them in Wine and Vine∣gar to wash the Mouth.

Or: Take roots of Mandrake a dram, Henbane seed

half a dragm Pepper, Cubebs and Stavesacre, each a dragm, Pellitory two dragms, bark of the root of Mulbery and Ca∣pars three dragms. Boyl them in red Wine.

Or Take Henbane roots a dragm, white wine half a pint. boyl them.

Or use fumes with a Funnel to the teeth, made of wormwood, Savory, and the like hot herbs, in wine and water, and take the vapor hot, add leek seed to make it stronger.

Also a fume of Sandarake cast upon live coals, or leek or onion seed mixt with pitch and wax to make the fume thicker: the fume of burnt henbane seeds is accounted best, but it is best when the seed is first mix∣ed with virgins wax.

Somethings are to be applyed to the cheek outward∣ly, to take away pain.

An Anodine emplaster. Take Crums of bread the pap of apples, each three ounces: boyl them in milk, add line∣seed, oyl of Roses or of Chamomile, each an ounce, Saffron a scruple.

Or use Treacle or other opiats for a plaister.

Another approved, Take the white of an egge, beat it with Rose water and spread it upon flax with a litle pou∣der of Pepper, and apply it all over the cheek where the pain is.

Ot thus, Take the yolke of an egge with Aqua vitae and a litle Saffron, with some meal or flower: make a plaster to dissolve the tumor,

In a hot Cause. Take juice of Nightshade and Hous∣leek each two ounces, Rose-water and Milk, each an ounce and an half, Oyl of Roses an ounce: stirr them and dip a clout therein, apply it to the Cheek.

In a cold cause thus. Take rosted Onyons three ounces, oyl of Dill and Chamomile each an ounce, flower of Foenigreek an ounce and an half: make a Plaster.

Or thus, Take Lilly roots three ounces, Mallows an handful, flowers of Chamomile, Melilot, Dill, each a pugil: Foenigreek and Lineseed, each half an ounce: Cabbage seed two dragms, Peach kernels or bitter Almonds an ounce. boyl them in wine, foment the Cheek without, heat the re∣sidence of the Decoction, and with oyl of Chamoemel and Dill, made a Cataplasme.

Also apply baggs of Milliumor Panicum, Wormewood, Chamoemile flowers, Dill and Salt.

Juice of Garlick, Rue, Ivy, Daffadil roots: dropt into the contrary eare, Cures the toothach.

Also hot oyls as of Rue, Bayes, Costus, Earthwormes, with Castor boyled therein the distilled oyls are best.

Or five Ivy berries, boyled with oyl of roses and pomegranate peels, and the liquor dropt in doth it according to Diascorides.

A Clove of Garlick peel'd and put into the ear on that side the pain is, cureth.

Among Amulets the roots Lepidium hung about the neck, cureth according to Diascorides.

If a tumor arise on that side inwardly or outwardly, or on both sides, and the pain abateth: then it goeth a∣way of it self, or with bags or hot oyls, very easily.

If pain increase with the tumor because then there is an Impostume, the Anodyne Cataplasme wil do wel to ripen it.

Especialy Barley meal boyled in milk and Oliba∣num added in pouder, and applied ripens the Impos∣tume.

Also hot milk held in the mouth in which roots of Marshmallows, Lineseed, Housleek and Lillyes are wel boyled.

The Impostume opened of it self inwardly, or by force turnes to an ulcer, which wil cure of it self: or with the remedies mentioned in the ulcers of the mouth, if it come outwardly it is easier cured as an∣other ulcer: but if the teeth are rotten and the ulcer reach them, it wil hardly be cured til they are drawn, and there is comonly a disfiguring scarr left after the cure.

If the toothach come from a cool distemper from the matter flow∣ing thither, the cure is mentioned in a flegmatick defluxion by hot means: which cureth a simple dis∣temper: Then take heed of al actualy cold things, as Air meat and Drink and medicines, because cool things are so averse to the teeth, that in a hot cause, actualy cool things are not good though they give ease, but after rather increase the pain.

If toothach come from rotten teeth, it will hardly be cured, and return easily, and if a defluxion be, cure it as we shewed in a defluxion.

If toothach be from hollow teeth: Take heed that nothing gets in, and chew upon the sound side, or chew wax or mastick afore to fil the hol∣low, but experience teacheth that that may cause as much pain as the meat. And therefore that is better in stinking breath caused by meat corrupt∣ing in the teeth as we shal shew.

When rotten teeth bring such trouble and pain, up∣on every light occasion, and infect their neighbors, espe∣cially if they be unuseful, they either must be drawn by the arts mentioned in corrupt bones, or the place under them must be made insensible: This is done by burning in the cavity with Aqua fortis or fig milk, or Spurge or Sory, as Diascorides, taken in with Wool or Cotten and stopt in with Wax from falling out, this done often breaks the teeth out, or burn the rotten teeth with a hot Iron, that the part under may loose sense, and the tooth fall out.

If any trouble follows drawing, because the teeth wil be bound by things that get in between them, use a toothpicker of mastick wood or juniper, use it gently in time of pain, for a litle thing disturbs, as only the motion of the tongue against them when pained, or picking with your fingers, and they who think to abate pain by picking, are mistaken, and increase it ra∣ther.

If from the edg or roughness of the teeth you chew with difficulty, chew purslain til it be gone, it is a certain and sure remedy.

Crums of bread or tosted cheese or a yolk of a hard egge chewed hot, doth, it but not so quickly.

Or Almonds, or Nuts, or Wax and salt chew∣ed.

If children feel pain when they breed teeth, from the peircing through their gums, then anoint the gums with the brains of a Cony or Hare, boyled in Wine, or with sweet Butter and Honey, and other gentle mollifying things, often.

Mathiolus saith the stone found in the head of a Snail without a shel, wil do the same.

If the Gums are too hard, and hinder the teeth, which causeth great symptomes, as Convulsions, Fluxes, cal∣led Diarrhaeas and Death, then presently cut them with a Lancet, this may be done safely without fear of infla∣mation, pain or bleeding: By this means I saw a fa∣mous Chirurgion cure many.

We shal shew the cure of other accidents in their pla∣ces.

The pain that is while the tooth is drawing goes away when it is out, & that also that went before, for which cause the tooth was drawn. But if it be only moved or broken, it is worse, and the Patient must suffer again at the drawing of the stump. To stay bleeding is dangerous if it continue; and when an Artery is broken, the Cure where of shall be mentioned in Haemorrhages or Bleeding.

Notes

• The cure of Tooth-ach from a hot distemper or cold, or from flux of blood or flegm.
• The Cure of the Toothach from a simple cold distem∣per.
• The Cure of tooth∣ach from Irritati∣on, from teeth rot∣ten or bound.
• The Cure of Haemodia or teeth on edge.
• The Cure of Tooth-ach in children that breed them.
• The Cure of pain from a tooth pul∣led out or drawn.