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is described by the dark spots, aa. Immediately after the
accident, the mere touch of the tongue passing over the ex-
posed part of the membrane occasioned extreme pain ; in a
short time inflammation extended to the socket, the lip be-
came very much swollen, and a considerable quantity of mat-
ter was formed. The parents being very desirous to pre-
serve the teeth, made use of every means to abate the in-
flammation ; but, as the gums remained thickened, and the
discharge of matter continued, they were at length obliged
to consent to the extraction of the teeth : on examining the
fangs, they were found covered with a considerable quantity
of lymph, which is a common consequence of a neglected
accident of this description.
In fig. 11, is the representation of the teeth of a young
gentleman who had the central incisors broken by the blow
of a stick ; being anxious to have the deformity removed in
the best possible manner, he was willing to submit to any
means that should be recommended. I stated to him the ne-
cessity of preserving the fangs, for the purpose of fixing other
teeth in a permanent manner ; but, perceiving that the sensi-
bility of the exposed membrane was very great, I conclu-
ded that he would not be able to endure the pain attendant
on the common mode of destroying the nerve ; I therefore de-
termined to extract the teeth partially, and return them back
into the socket ; after which I introduced an instrument, and
passed it up to the extremities of the fangs, without occa-
sioning the least painful sensation. Union of the fangs to
the socket, took place in a few days, when the remainder of
the crowns of the teeth was filed away, and other teeth
fixed.
If a blow be inflicted with sufficient violence to remove a
tooth from its socket, it may be returned again ; and, if se-
cured to the other teeth by a ligature, it will become fast in