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EAR-ACH.

Few applications give more relief in the tooth-ach than blister-ing-plasters. These may be applied between the shoulders ; butthey have the best effect when put behind the ears, and made solarge as to cover a great part of the lower jaw. Burning the nervewithin the affected tooth with a hot iron, has frequeutly given ease ;but this operation ought to be performed with care.

After all, when a tooth is carious, it is often impossible to re-move the pain without extracting it ; and as a spoiled tooth neverbecomes sound again, it is prudent to draw it soon, lest it shouldaffect the rest. Tooth-drawing, like bleeding, is very much prac-tised by mechanics, as well as persons of the medical profession.The operation, however, is not without danger, and ought alwaysto be performed with care. A person unacquainted with thestructure of the parts, will be in danger of hurting the jaw-bone,or of drawing a sound tooth instead of a rotten one. This, how-ever, may always be prevented by the operator striking upon theteeth with any piece of metal, as this never fails to excite the painin the carious tooth.

When the tooth-ach returns periodically, and trie pain chieflyaffects the gums, it may be cured by the bark.

Some pretend to have found great benefit in the tooth-ach, fromthe application of an artificial magnet to the affected tooth. Weshall not attempt to account for its mode of operation, but if it befound to answer, though only in particular cases, it certainly de-serves a trial, as it is attended with no expense, and cannot do anyharm. Electricity has likewise been recommended, and particu-lar instruments have been invented for sending a shock throughthe affected tooth.

Persons who have returns of the tooth-ach at certain seasons, asspring and autumn, might often prevent it by taking a purge atthese times.

Keeping the teeth clean has no doubt a tendency to prevent thetooth-ach. The best method of doing this is to wash them dailywith salt and water, a decoction of the bark, or with cold wateralone. All brushing and scraping of the teeth is dangerous, and,unless it be performed with great care, does mischief.

Ear-ach. (Otalgia.)

This disorder chiefly affects the membrane which lines the in-ner cavity of the ear, called the meatus auditorius. It is often soviolent as to occasion great restlessness, anxiety, and even deliri-um. 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 pro-duce inflammation. It often proceeds from a sudden suppressionof the perspiration, or from the head being exposed to cold whencovered with sweat. It may also be occasioned by worms or otherinsects getting into the ear, or being bred there ; or from any hardbody sticking in the ear. Sometimes it proceeds from the trans-lation of morbific matter to the ear. This often happens in thedecline of malignant fevers, and occasions deafness, which is gen-erally reckoned a favourable symptom.