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TREATMENT OF HYPERSENSITIVE DENTINE 199

tion can be accomplished to the depth of desiccation which will vary
with different cases.
A Continuous Stream of cold air will have a similar action
through its desiccating effect and is practiced where compressed air
is at hand. The force with which the air is contacted with the cav-
ity walls is a factor in its efficiency.
Heat and Cold When Moist will produce physical changes in the
protoplasm of the tubuli sufficient to destroy the sensation of pain.
In any locality of the body a moderate rise in the temperature,
particularly moist heat, quickens vital action and heightens func-
tional activity. This is true of sensitive dentine and the tempera-
ture must be materially raised before a stage of paralysis is reached.
The Best Means of Applying This Method is to direct into the
l»rotected cavity a forceful fine stream of water which can be grad-
ually raised in temperature to the point of toleration, cutting the
sensitive part of the cavity while the stream of water is still play-
ing on the point being operated upon.
With the Application of Cold to any patt, vital phenomena of
every nature is retarded and entirely ceases with the lower tem-
peratures.
The Best Method of Appl3dng this principle is to spray the cavity
with a highly volatile liquid as ethyl chloride, sulphuric ether, and
its combinations with choloroform. The rapid evaporation lowers
the temperatures, extracting the heat from that with which it comes
in contact.
The Primary Pain in Applying these agents may be lessened by
filling the cavity, temporarily with stopping, directing the spray first
on this and the surrounding parts and later removing the stopping,
directing the spray into the cavity without causing much pain, pro-
vided there is not a hyperemic pulp within the tooth, in which case
all thermal changes must be avoided.
The Electric Current (Cataphoresis) as a physical agent to ob-
tund sensitive dentine should be mentioned. It has been used to as-
sist in carrying various drugs into the dentine, to facilitate their ac-
tivity, but its use has proved so unsatisfactory, in many ways, that
further description of this method is unwarranted.
Destroying Agents.
Caution in the Use of Caustics and Escharotics to relieve sensi-
tive dentine in deep-seated cavities will save much pulp complica-
tions and great care must be exercised in their use not only for the
safety of the pulp but also the soft tissues about the tooth must