Page 274 - My FlipBook
P. 274
: ;
In addition to these evils, this almost complete closure of
the mouth and teeth had, for a long time, prevented the patient
from taking solid food, and indeed hardly admitted a sufficient
quantity of fluids to preserve his deplorable existence, especial-
ly during a long and tedious sea voyage ; an evil which would
have been nearly destructive to the patient, had it not been
in some degree lessened by the removal of one of his inci-
sors. He laboured under excessive debility and nervous
irritability, accompanied by fever and general emaciation
in short, his general health had suffered to such a degree
that his life might be regarded to be in a most precarious
state.
Treatment.
The principle indication of treatment in this interesting
case was evidently to relieve the inflammation of the survi-
ving osseous and soft structures, by promoting the exfoliation
of the carious sockets and other bones, and more especially,
by removing all the dead teeth. These operations, however,
were rendered particularly difficult and painful by the fixed
state of the under jaw ; to this the great debility of the pa-
tient added another very considerable obstacle, notwithstand-
ing his surprising fortitude. The following treatment, however,
was adopted
June 12th, 1826.—Seven dead teeth were removed, and
the patient directed to wash his mouth frequently with a
mixture of the tincture of myrrh, honey, and sage tea.
June 16th.—Two dead teeth were extracted, and the use
of the mixture continued. The patient's health and strength
were already improving, and by the extraction of his front
teeth, he was enabled to take some nourishment.
In addition to these evils, this almost complete closure of
the mouth and teeth had, for a long time, prevented the patient
from taking solid food, and indeed hardly admitted a sufficient
quantity of fluids to preserve his deplorable existence, especial-
ly during a long and tedious sea voyage ; an evil which would
have been nearly destructive to the patient, had it not been
in some degree lessened by the removal of one of his inci-
sors. He laboured under excessive debility and nervous
irritability, accompanied by fever and general emaciation
in short, his general health had suffered to such a degree
that his life might be regarded to be in a most precarious
state.
Treatment.
The principle indication of treatment in this interesting
case was evidently to relieve the inflammation of the survi-
ving osseous and soft structures, by promoting the exfoliation
of the carious sockets and other bones, and more especially,
by removing all the dead teeth. These operations, however,
were rendered particularly difficult and painful by the fixed
state of the under jaw ; to this the great debility of the pa-
tient added another very considerable obstacle, notwithstand-
ing his surprising fortitude. The following treatment, however,
was adopted
June 12th, 1826.—Seven dead teeth were removed, and
the patient directed to wash his mouth frequently with a
mixture of the tincture of myrrh, honey, and sage tea.
June 16th.—Two dead teeth were extracted, and the use
of the mixture continued. The patient's health and strength
were already improving, and by the extraction of his front
teeth, he was enabled to take some nourishment.
