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the gum-boil rarely disappears, and a small fistulous opening
remains, at which matter continues to be discharged ; or,
upon taking cold, persons are liable to a recurrence of in-
flammation, occasioning a re-accumulation of matter, but
which is seldom attended with much pain. These gum-
boils, being occasioned by diseased teeth, are seldom cured
without their removal ; but, as the operation of extraction
cannot always be submitted to, means must be employed to
render them as little injurious as possible.
At the first appearance of a gum-boil, that is, as soon as
gums by swollen condition and soft feeling, together with the
sensation of throbbing pain, indicate that matter is already
formed, a puncture should be made with a lancet, in order to
suffer it to escape ; this will relieve the pain, and prevent any
extensive effusion. Sometimes the tooth becomes very
sore and rather loose, in which case it will never be service-
able, it would be far better to extract it, which will prove a
cure to the gum-boil.
When the inflammation occasioned by a carious tooth
is
very great, we should be particularly careful to guard against
its effects. The formation of matter is often so considerable,
as to produce an abscess of no small extent. In some
cases the matter is contained within a cavity, extending
through the length of one side of the jaw. The teeth which
produce the most distressing symptoms, are the dentes sapi-
entiae of the under jaw ; when inflammation extends from
either of those teeth to the contiguous parts, the swelling is
speedily diffused over all the cheek, so as to close the eye,
and cause a considerable hardness at the upper part of the
neck, near to the angle of the jaw.
The muscles of the jaw are also affected by the adhe-
sive inflammation, and they become so rio-id that it is with
great difficulty the mouth can be opened.