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SECTION I.

EXTRACTION OF THE TEETH.

This operation naturally divides itself into first, extraction
of the infant teeth, and second, extraction of the adult teeth.

Extraction of the Infant Teeth.

The infant teeth are liable to be affected with caries, and
in the progress of this disease to have their nerves exposed,
and consequently, at times, are subject to tooth-ache, in the
same manner as adults. It is recommended by almost every
writer upon this subject, to have them extracted. This is a
correct general rule, as regards carious deciduous teeth,
when this has progressed to any considerable extent, or
when they have become inflamed, so as to produce tooth-
ache. A question arises, at what period ought deciduous
teeth to be extracted ? should we wait for them to become
loose, or not ? I consider these to be practical questions of
great importance, because the judicious extraction of the de-
ciduous teeth has a great influence in directing the regular
growth of the permanent set. Whilst I consider, as a gen-
eral rule, that the deciduous teeth, if considerably decayed,
ought to be extracted ; yet, if not diseased, or the gums, they
should never be extracted, until they become loose, or some
appearances or symptoms are present which denote the
coming of the permanent teeth. I think this ought to be-
come an axiom in dental surgery. Perhaps an exception
may be found in some cases of diseased gums, but then these
may become loose, and if they are firm, their extraction, per-
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