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part, and it is desirable to have the opening in the most de-
pending situation.
When the matter has been discharged, the object must be
to restore the parts to their former condition ; with this view
a solution of the tincture of myrrh is to be frequently inject-
ed, with a syringe, through the opening. As the inflamma-
tion subsides, the natural opening usually becomes pervious,
and the injection will pass into the nose ; and when this open-
ing is restored, the discharge gradually diminishes ; the gum
may then be suffered to heal over the artificial opening, and a
cure is effected. As there is always a disposition in the
gum to close over the part from whence a tooth has been
extracted, it may be kept open where the socket has been
perforated, by introducing a piece of bougie, which, sticking
at the upper part of the socket, and hanging just low enough
to be taken hold of, may be withdrawn at the time of syring-
ing, and then be again returned.
If the natural opening into the nose has become perfectly
obliterated, it will be requisite to preserve an artificial one
;
this may be accomplished by wearing a silver tube in the per-
forated part, through which the mucus will constantly pass
into the mouth, and future accumulations be prevented.
I have met with several cases of disease in the antrum,
occasioned by carious stumps, in which a considerable en-
largement, with absorption of some of the anterior part of
the bone, had taken place. The extraction of these stumps
has been followed by a great discharge of glareous fluid from
the socket ; the discharge continues for some time, but it grad-
ually diminishes, until the part acquires a healthy state.
The antrum is sometimes the seat of formidable diseases,
but these cases are not common. That which most frequently
occurs, is the formation of a polypus, or fungous tumour,
within the cavity. The usual progress of this malady is,