Page 188 - My FlipBook
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been closed for near two months, and when opened, can dis-
cern objects but very imperfectly ; the secretion of saliva
has for some time been so copious as to flow from the mouth
whenever opened. She is now come to London, purposely
for advice, and I have recommended that she should call
upon you.
I remain, Sir, your obedient servant,
T. S.
This letter not only fully describes the very afflicting case,
but also shows that medicine under every form had altogether
failed ; of course no benefit could be expected from a repeti-
tion of any similar treatment.
At the time I saw the lady she was only able to take fluid
nutriment ; for the teeth of the upper jaw were so very ten-
der, that the slightest touch caused extreme pain. As de-
scribed by Mr. S. the flow of saliva was so considerable that,
there was a continual necessity of discharging it. The lady
herself said, she was assured she should never get well, unless
all her teeth were extracted. I was however desired, if pos-
sible, to seek such relief as should prevent so painful an ex-
pedient, which should only be regarded as the last resort.
Dr. Babington and Mr. Cline were consulted, who pre-
scribed a blister on the head, to be kept open by the appli-
cation of the ceratum sabinse. This was tried without suc-
cess. The pain in the mouth, the soreness of the teeth, and
the general irritation on the constitution, all combined to ren-
der the extraction of the most painful tooth advisable. This
was the first molaris of the upper jaw, situated under that
eye, the palpebral of which had become closed.
The fangs of this tooth were much enlarged, and from the
periosteum being greatly thickened, the fangs had the appear-
ance of being cartilaginous. The removal of this tooth was