Page 249 - My FlipBook

247

In the prevention of this disease our object should be to
remove from the teeth all acrimonious and foreign matter,
and to prevent a swollen and lax state of the gums.
These
two objects will be readily effected by the use of a tooth-
brush, and appropriate dentifrice. The brush at first should
be very soft, so as not greatly to irritate the gums, and should
be changed for a harder one when the gums will bear it.
The dentifrice should combine astringent and alkaline prop-
erties, so as to neutralize all acid and acrimonious matters in
the mouth, and by its astringency to remove from the gums
all tendency to an irritated and spongy state. Of these for-
mulae will be found in the pharmaceutical part of this work.*
The mouths of the children should be carefully noticed
and perfectly cleaned, at least once a day. When the dis-
ease has actually assumed an active and malignant form, it
was the practice of Dr. Coates to rely chiefly upon the use
of the sulphate of copper as a remedial agent, which he re-
marks was accidentally discovered to be useful, and " became
the standing remedy."
The practice of the present physician
in attendance at
the children's asylum, in addition to prophylactic remedies,
nearly as I have recommended, is, as soon as the disease
assumes an active and malignant form, in addition to leeches,
blisters, &c. externally to apply the undiluted nitrate of silver to
the inflamed part. We have before remarked, and it is well
known, that few remedies possess such almost specific vir-
tues in allaying diseased action upon irritable surfaces, as the

" I will insert a very appropriate one in
tfa is place.
R. Purvis Galla 3i
Cinchona 3'i'
Sapo hispan. 3«
Carb. Sodaj 3i .Mix