Keeping the teeth clean has no doubt a tendency to prevent the tooth-ach. The best method of doing this is to wash them daily with salt and water, a decoction of the bark, or with cold water alone. All brushing and scraping of the teeth is dangerous, and, unless it be performed with great care, does mischief.
OF THE EAR-ACH.
This disorder chiefly affects the membrane which lines the inner cavity of the ear called the meatus auditorius. It is often so violent as to occasion great restlessness, anxiety, and even delirium. Sometimes epileptic fits, and other convulsive disorders, have been brought on by extreme pain in the ear.
The ear-ach may proceed from any of the causes which produce inflammation. It often proceeds from a sudden suppression of perspiration, or from the head being exposed to cold when covered with sweat. It may also be occasioned by worms, or other insects getting into the ear, or being bred there; or from any hard body sticking in the ear. Sometimes it proceeds from the translation of morbific matter to the ear. This often happens in the decline of malignant fevers, and occasions deafness, which is generally reckoned a favourable symptom.
When the ear-ach proceeds from insects, or any hard body sticking in the ear, every method must be taken to remove them as soon as possible. The membranes may be relaxed by dropping into the ear oil of sweet almonds, or olive oil. Afterwards the patient should be made to sneeze, by taking snuff, or some strong sternutatory. If this should not force out the body, it must be extracted by art. I have seen insects, which had got into the ear, come out of their own accord upon pouring in oil, which is a thing they cannot bear.
When the pain of the ear proceeds from inflammation, it must be treated like other topical inflammations, by a cooling regimen, and opening medicines. Bleeding at the beginning, either in the arm or jugular vein, or cupping in the neck, will be proper. The ear may likewise be fomented with steams of warm water; or flannel bags filled with boiled mallows and camomile flowers may be applied to it warm; or bladders filled with warm milk and water. An exceeding good method of fomenting the ear is to apply it close to the mouth of a jug filled with warm water, or a strong decoction of camomile flowers.
The patient’s feet should be frequently bathed in lukewarm water, and he ought to take small doses of nitre and rhubarb, viz. a scruple of the former, and ten grains of the latter, three times a-day. His drink may be whey, or decoction of barley and liquorice with figs or raisins. The parts behind the ear ought frequently to be rubbed with camphorated oil, or a little of the volatile liniment.
When the inflammation cannot be discussed, a poultice of bread and milk, or roasted onions, may be applied to the ear, and frequently renewed, till the abscess breaks, or can be opened. Afterwards the humours may be diverted from the part by gentle laxatives, blisters, or issues; but the discharge must not be suddenly dried up by any external application.
PAIN OF THE STOMACH, &c.
This may proceed from various causes; as indigestion; wind; the acrimony of the bile; sharp, acrid, or poisonous substances taken into the stomach, &c. It may likewise be occasioned by worms; the stoppage of customary evacuations; a translation of gouty matter to the stomach, the bowels, &c.