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THE R().\/.-!\S 111
the numerous remedies winch, from his own experience and from that
of other great doctors, were to lie considered useful tor rhe cure of the
various affections of the teeth and gums.
Airainst s:in
lentisk moderately warm; noting, however, that such a remed\- is the
more efficacious the more recenth it has been prepared.
A decoction of the root of the hvoscvamus in vinegar, used as a mouth
wash, is another remed\- recommended bv Galen against the pains in
the gums. It would also be of benefit to applv on the inflamed gums a
powder composed of one part of salt to four of alum, afterward washing
the mouth with wine or with a decoction of oli\e leaves. If the gums
are ulcerated, Galen recommends them to be cauterized with boiling
oil, using for the purpose a little wool wrapped around a probe or tooth-
pick. This medicament, savs Galen, greatlv modifies the diseased part,
exciting a reparative process in it, to aid which, however, suitable remedies
must be used, and especialh- frictions with a mixture of gall-nuts and
m\"rrh reduced to a fine powder.
For the cure of epulides the application of green vitrol, together with an
equal quantity of powdered myrtle and a little alum, is especially recom-
mended.
In dentition, if the gums are painful, it is advisable to rub them w ith
the milk of a bitch. The teeth, moreover, appear very readily, says
Galen, if the gums be rubbed with hare's brain.
Against odontalgia, properh' so called, independent, that is, of diseases
of the gums, Galen particularly recommends warm applications, either
on the cheek or directly on the tooth. Externally, on the side of the pain,
may be applied dirty (!) pieces of linen, well warmed, or else small bags
full of roasted salt, or cataplasms of linseed or barley flour. But if it
is desired to act directly upon the sick tooth, this may be rubbed with a
branch of origanum (wild marjoram) dipped in hot oil, orelse, after applying
a bit of wax on the tooth, the heated end of a probe may be laid upon it;
or lastly, fumigations may be made by burning the seeds of the hyosc\ a-
mus. In case the above remedies, or others like them, be found of no
use, Galen recommends them to be adopted anew after having perfor-
ated the sick tooth b\ means of a small drill. But if even from this no
benefit be derived, and it is considered well to remove the tooth, this can
be done without pain by the application of special medicaments. Among
these the root of pyrethrum kept in very strong vinegar for forty days
and then pounded takes the first place. The remedy is applied after
having well cleaned the sick tooth, and after having covered the others
with wax. At the end of an hour the tooth will have already become
so loose that it can be drawn out with the fingers or with the mere help
