When either the Teeth or Stomach are extremely feeble, especial care must be taken to keep Meat till it is tender—before it is cooked—and call in the aid of the Pestle and Mortar.—And see Nos. 10,—18,—87,—89,—175,—178; from 185 to 250,—502—542—and especially 503. Or dress in the usual way whatever is best liked—mince it—put it into a Mortar—and pound it with a little Broth or melted Butter,—Vegetable,—Herb,—Spice,—Zest, No. 255, &c.—according to the taste, &c. of the Eater.—The business of the Stomach is thus very materially facilitated.
“Mincing or Pounding Meat—saveth the grinding of the Teeth; and therefore (no doubt) is more nourishing, especially in Age,—or to them that have weak teeth; but Butter is not proper for weak bodies,—and therefore, moisten it in pounding with a little Claret Wine, and a very little Cinnamon or Nutmeg.”—Lord Bacon’s Natural History, Century 1.—54.
This is important Advice for those who are afflicted with “Tic Douloureux,”—the paroxysm of which is generally provoked by the exercise of Eating,—and the Editor has known that dreadful disorder cured by the Patient frequently taking food thus prepared in small portions, instead of a regular meal.
The Teeth should be cleaned after every meal with a “Tooth Preserver,” (i. e. a very soft brush,) and then rinsed with tepid water—never neglect this at night;—nothing destroys the Teeth so fast as suffering food to stick between them—those who observe this rule, will seldom have any occasion for Dentifrices—Essences of Ivory—Indurating Liquid Enamels, &c.
But it is the rage just now with some Dentists, to recommend Brushes so hard, that they fetch Blood like a Lancet wherever they touch; and instead of “Teeth Preservers,” these should rather be termed “Gum Bleeders.”
Not even a Philosopher can endure the Toothach patiently—what an overcoming agony then it must be to a Grand Gourmand!—depriving him of the means of enjoying an amusement which to him is the grand solace for all sublunary cares.—To alleviate, and indeed generally to cure this intolerable pain—we recommend
Toothache and Anti-rheumatic Embrocation, (No. 567.)
Sal Volatile—three parts.
Laudanum—one part.
Mix and rub the part in pain therewith frequently. If the Tooth which aches is hollow, drop some of this on a bit of cotton, and put it into the Tooth,—if the pain does not abate within an hour—take out the cotton, and put another piece in—changing it every hour four or five times, till the pain ceases.
In a general Face-ach, or sore Throat—moisten a piece of flannel with it and put it to the part affected,—rub any part afflicted with Rheumatism night and morning, and in the middle of the day. I have frequently cured old and inveterate Rheumatic affections with this Liniment.