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189

In the early stage of this disease, considerable benefit at-
tends the scarification of the gums ; the loss of blood abates
the inflammation ; and, as it is very unpleasant to lose a front
tooth, we may, by repeatedly lancing the gums, arrest the
progress of the disease for a considerable time ; but, when
it has proceeded so far as to loosen the tooth, it is better to
extract it, especially as the whole of the uneasiness arises
from the tooth being an extraneous body ; the discharge then
ceases, and the gum becomes perfectly healed in a short time.
After extraction, the fang of the tooth is always found to be
very rough ; in most cases, it is dark coloured, being of a
deep green, brown, or black colour.

Of tlte disease resembling Spina Ventosa.*

Spina Ventosa is the term usually given to that species of
tumour in bone, which is originally an abscess forming in the
centre : the ulcerative process removing the bone from the
inside, whilst there is a corresponding increase on the out-
side.
This disease, according to my observation, is confined to
the incisors and cuspidati of the upper jaw ; as it produces
upon the gum and socket similar effects to the disease last
described. The seat of the malady is in the cavity of the
tooth ; the vessels ramifying on its membrane acquire a dis-
eased action, by which the membrane becomes thickened,
absorption of some of the internal parts of the tooth takes
place, and the opening at the extremity of the fang also be-
comes enlarged. This disease of the membrane is attended

* Natural History and diseases of the human Teeth, by J. Fox. Pages 52
to 54. London, 1814.