The diseases of the human teeth : their natural history and structure : with the mode of applying artificial teeth, etc., etc. / by Joseph Fox and Chapin A. Harris ; with two hundred and fifty illustrations.

  • Fox, Joseph, 1776-1816.
Date:
1855
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The diseases of the human teeth : their natural history and structure : with the mode of applying artificial teeth, etc., etc. / by Joseph Fox and Chapin A. Harris ; with two hundred and fifty illustrations. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    are exceedingly sensitive to the touch and bleed from the slightest injury. This peculiar affection, although first excited by local irritation, is determined by a bad habit of body. Scorbutic and scrofulous dispositions are more subject to it than any other. The proper treatment in cases of this sort, consists in removing all that portion which has grown over the crowns of the teeth, and all dead and loose teeth, roots of teeth, and teeth so badly affected with caries as to render their restoration to health impossible. The mouth should be gargled several times every day, with a decoc- tion of oak bark, prepared as before directed; also with a solution of the chloride of soda, for the purpose of cor- recting the fetor of the mouth. The margins of the gums should at the same time be occasionally touched with a solution of the nitrate of silver. In addition to which, such general treatment should be adopted, as may be indicated by the state of the constitutional health. Temporizing treatment in this form of diseased gums will never answer. To be successful, a decided impres- sion must be made at once. The treatment must be thorough. It is not sufficient to remove all dead and loose teeth, and the roots of decayed teeth. The morbid growth of the gums which encase, as it were, the crowns of the teeth, should be removed by means of a horizontal incision on a line near the termination of the enamel; in addition to this, they should be frequently scarified with a sharp lancet. This should be passed through them between the teeth, so as to make a complete section. It is only in connection with this treatment, that gargles will prove at all beneficial. Another important item in the local treatment of the disease, consists in cleansing the teeth frequently and thoroughly, with a soft and elastic brush. This should