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THE SEVENTEENTH CENTl R) L'lMI

"hot fluxions." When, however, the toothache depends on a "cold
fluxion," it calms the pam wondertulh' to drop into the ear a tepid mixture
of garlic juice and theriac. The same advantage, sa\s the author, niav
be obtained bv introducing a piece ot garlic, peeled and iiir into the form
of a suppositor)", into the ear.
The author also makes a length\ enumeration of anocJNiu and narcotic
remedies (among which opium), observing, however, that those remedies,
unless the vehemence of the pain obliges the use of them, ought not to
have the preference, it being much more rational and much more ad\an-
tageous to institute a cure which aims directh at the cause itselt ot the |->ain
(fluxions, worms, etc.).
He informs us that Amatus Lusitanus, a celebrated ph\sician ot the
sixteenth century, extolled, as a remedy for toothache, a decoction of gum
sandarach in wine and vinegar; the said decoction was to be made with
an ounce of sandarach in six ounces of wine and the same quantity
of vinegar, and ought to be kept in the mouth some length of time,
whilst hot.
Riviere further speaks of various masticatories, which were composed
of mastich, staphisagria, pyrethrum, henbane, etc.
He also mentions oil of cloves, which even then was used against tooth-
ache, bv introducing into carious cavities a small piece of cotton-wool
Oil of camphor was used in the same manner, but the most
soaked in it.
efficacious of all, according to the author, was oil of boxwood.
As to worms in the teeth, the\- mav be destnned b\- the use ot bitter
substances!
In the case of a caries penetrating into the inner cavity of the tooth,
to effect the cessation of pain, it is necessary to burn the nerve with the
actual cautery, or with aqua fortis, or with oil of vitriol. If this be
repeated several times, the tooth gradually falls to pieces.
After having enumerated all these remedies, the author speaks of the
extraction of the teeth, and of all the precautions with which this must
be carried out in order to avoid the various accidents which may resuh
from the operations and may even, sometimes, become a cause of death.
When abundant hemorrhage follows the extraction of a tooth, this
mav often be made to cease bv applying a small, very compact ball of
linen into the alveolus and maintaining it there by pressure during one
or two hours. Should this not suffice, one can combine with compression
the use of astringent substances. Finally, as a last remedy, use may
be made of the red-hot iron.
In the case of timid patients, who shrink from an instrumental opera-
tion, recourse may be had to eradicating remedies, the author being fully
convinced of their efficacy. Indeed, one of these—helleboraster— is
said to be so powerful that, when rubbed on the teeth, these fall out