Page 220 - My FlipBook
P. 220
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my practice I have seen ten cases of it in persons who never
used tobacco, either by chewing or smoking, where I have
seen one case which has occurred in persons who use tobac-
co ; and with respect to the injurious effects of narcotic med-
icines, I must -say, that I have not seen any case which
seemed to be excited by these medicines ; nor can I explain
to myself the manner in which they have this effect. Any
cause that vitiates the saliva, whether constitutional or local,
tends, more or less, to produce this disease.
Local Causes, fyc.—These are probably always present,
in a greater or less degree, in every case of this disease.
They are, first, every kind of foreign matter lodged between
the teeth and the edges of the gums, as for instance, tartar,
which is generally deposited between the edges of the gums,
on the bodies and fangs of the teeth, and is the most common
cause of this disease, (Mr. Koecker says, that he never saw
this disease unless tartar was present ; also a greenish corro-
sive mucous is often present,)—a vitiated state of the saliva
diseased teeth and dead teeth, and dead loose stumps of teeth,
when they are tender—scaling of the teeth improperly and im-
perfectly done—uncleanliness of the mouth and teeth, especial-
ly during sickness and the exhibition of medicines—the use of
— (And among
improper tooth-brushes and tooth-powders
these Mr. Koecker mentions charcoal,f which he says increases
the disease by its mechanical irritation, occasioned by its cut-
ting quality. In this respect Mr. Koecker may be correct
but although I have seen it used in a great many cases, I
never saw it produce this effect : nor have I ever seen but
* See Koecker, On the Teetli, pages 282, 283.
t See Koecker, On the Teeth, Pa/t II, page 282.
^18
my practice I have seen ten cases of it in persons who never
used tobacco, either by chewing or smoking, where I have
seen one case which has occurred in persons who use tobac-
co ; and with respect to the injurious effects of narcotic med-
icines, I must -say, that I have not seen any case which
seemed to be excited by these medicines ; nor can I explain
to myself the manner in which they have this effect. Any
cause that vitiates the saliva, whether constitutional or local,
tends, more or less, to produce this disease.
Local Causes, fyc.—These are probably always present,
in a greater or less degree, in every case of this disease.
They are, first, every kind of foreign matter lodged between
the teeth and the edges of the gums, as for instance, tartar,
which is generally deposited between the edges of the gums,
on the bodies and fangs of the teeth, and is the most common
cause of this disease, (Mr. Koecker says, that he never saw
this disease unless tartar was present ; also a greenish corro-
sive mucous is often present,)—a vitiated state of the saliva
diseased teeth and dead teeth, and dead loose stumps of teeth,
perfectly done—uncleanliness of the mouth and teeth, especial-
ly during sickness and the exhibition of medicines—the use of
— (And among
improper tooth-brushes and tooth-powders
these Mr. Koecker mentions charcoal,f which he says increases
the disease by its mechanical irritation, occasioned by its cut-
ting quality. In this respect Mr. Koecker may be correct
but although I have seen it used in a great many cases, I
never saw it produce this effect : nor have I ever seen but
* See Koecker, On the Teetli, pages 282, 283.
t See Koecker, On the Teeth, Pa/t II, page 282.
