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THE ROMANS 03

a\oid aching of the teeth, it is a good thing to rinse the mouth, in tlie
morning, with several mouthtuls ot tresh water, but of an odd n umber."'
"A remedy for toothache is to toucli the diseased teeth with the tooth
of a h\ena,- or to scratch the gums with the tooth of a hippoporamiis
which has been taken from the left side of the jaw."-'
"The ashes of stag's horn, rubbed over loose and aching teeth, makes
them firm and sootiies the jiam. Some consider that to produce the
same efl^ect, of greater virtue is the powder of the horn, unburnt. Both
the ashes and the powder of stag's horn are employed as a dentifrice.
The ashes of the head of a wolf are a great remedy for toothache. Such
pains are also made to cease b\' w^earing certain bones that are often-
times found in the dung of this animal. The ashes of the head of a hare
is a useful dentifrice; and if spikenard be added, it will lessen the bad
smell of the mouth. Some mix with it the ashes of the heads of mice.
In the side of the hare is a bone as sharp as a needle; and many advise
pricking the teeth with this when they ache. The heel of the ox kindled
and broug-ht close to loose teeth makes them firm. The ashes of this
bone mingled w4th myrrh is a good dentifrice. A good dentifrice is
also made from the ashes of the feet of a goat. To strengthen teeth
loosened b\^ a blow, asses' milk or the ashes of the teeth of this animal
are very useful. In the heart of the horse there is a bone like an e\'e-
tooth; it is said that it is very beneficial to pick with it the teeth that ache.
The carpenter's glue boiled in water and plastered on to the teeth also
takes away their pain; but soon after it must be taken away and the
mouth rinsed with wine in which have been boiled the rinds of sweet
pomegranates. It is also thought beneficial to wash the teeth with goat's
milk or with ox-gall."*
"Butter, either alone or with hone\', is ver\" useful for children; and is
ver\' helpful, especially during dentition, in the diseases of the gums, and
to cure the ulcers of the mouth. To prevent the disorders that generalh'
accompany dentition, it is a useful thing that the child should wear a
wolf's tooth, or one of the first teeth lost b\' a horse. 1 he rubbing
of the gums with goat's milk or with hare's brain renders the cutting of
teeth much easier."'
"To sweeten the breath it is ver\" helpful to rub the teeth and the
gums with wool and hone\".""
"The filth of the tail of sheep rolled up in little balls, and left to dr\-
and then reduced to powder and rubbed on the teeth, is marvellously
useful against the loosening and other diseases of the teeth themselves
and against the cankerous ulcers of the gums."^

' Lib. xxviii, cap. xiv. - Ibid., cap. xxvii. ^Ibid., cap. xxix.
^ Ibid., cap. xlix. ^ Ibid., cap. lxx\iii. * Lib. xxix, cap. ix.
' Lib. xxix, cap. x.