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; :
286
it to a head : in so doing, they cause ulceration to take place
through the substance of the cheek. If the tooth producing
the abscess be situated in the upper jaw, it will discharge in
the middle of the cheek if in the lower jaw, the opening
;
will be at the lower part of the jaw, either near the angle, or
at the edge of its base.
These abscesses are rarely healed, the painful symptoms
may subside, but the opening remains fistulous, attended with
a consequent discharge of matter.
I have known persons persist in their attempts to heal
these kind of abscesses for some months. One lady continu-
ed the application of dressings and lotions to a sore of this
kind for two years, but with no benefit.
In all these cases the fangs of the teeth become very
much diseased, and are the cause of the perpetual discharge
therefore no cure of these abscesses can be expected with-
out the extraction of the tooth.
In these cases, at the opening where the matter was dis-
charged, the skin rises and acquires a sort of fungous ap-
pearance, being very red, and of a loose, spongy texture
when the tooth has been extracted, the discharge gradually
diminishes, and the external opening closes ; but, as the inner
part of the integuments have been destroyed by the ulcera-
tive process, in healing the skin becomes contracted, and a
deep scar or pit remains. From the situation and appear-
ance of these scars, they are liable to be attributed by super-
ficial observers to the effects of scrofula, which to a
female, or a person of nice feelings, is always a source of un-
easiness.
When teeth which have caused abscesses of this kind, are
extracted, the fangs are found covered with a fleshy sub-
stance, which are granulations extending to the bottom of the
socket ; this being only an effort of nature to effect the heal-
286
it to a head : in so doing, they cause ulceration to take place
through the substance of the cheek. If the tooth producing
the abscess be situated in the upper jaw, it will discharge in
the middle of the cheek if in the lower jaw, the opening
;
will be at the lower part of the jaw, either near the angle, or
at the edge of its base.
These abscesses are rarely healed, the painful symptoms
may subside, but the opening remains fistulous, attended with
a consequent discharge of matter.
I have known persons persist in their attempts to heal
these kind of abscesses for some months. One lady continu-
ed the application of dressings and lotions to a sore of this
kind for two years, but with no benefit.
In all these cases the fangs of the teeth become very
much diseased, and are the cause of the perpetual discharge
therefore no cure of these abscesses can be expected with-
out the extraction of the tooth.
In these cases, at the opening where the matter was dis-
charged, the skin rises and acquires a sort of fungous ap-
pearance, being very red, and of a loose, spongy texture
when the tooth has been extracted, the discharge gradually
diminishes, and the external opening closes ; but, as the inner
part of the integuments have been destroyed by the ulcera-
tive process, in healing the skin becomes contracted, and a
deep scar or pit remains. From the situation and appear-
ance of these scars, they are liable to be attributed by super-
ficial observers to the effects of scrofula, which to a
female, or a person of nice feelings, is always a source of un-
easiness.
When teeth which have caused abscesses of this kind, are
extracted, the fangs are found covered with a fleshy sub-
stance, which are granulations extending to the bottom of the
socket ; this being only an effort of nature to effect the heal-
