Page 37 - Craventreatiseonpyorrh00crav

PYORRHOEA ALVEOLARIS. 27 blade flat and long and slightly curved. The advantage of this instrument is the facility with which it may be inserted into narrowest or smallest pus "pockets" with safety to all it does not needlessly distend the entrance, and may parts ; be easily passed to all parts of nearly all cases. CULTIVATED TOUCH. As very much depends upon the sense of touch in operat- ing in these cases, clumsy instruments are inadmissible, and it is essential that the cushions of the thumb and fingers of the operating hand shall be soft and sensitive to a high degree. This condition may be attained by submitting the hands to a bath of fairly hot water immediately preceding an operation, and it may be renewed once or twice during an operation should the fingers feel glassy. HOT WATER. For the purposes of the surgical operation, have at hand a supply of water heated to 140° Fahrenheit, and an ordinary three-ringed syringe ; charge the syringe with the hot water and proceed to wash out the " pocket " selected for an operation, projecting as forcible a current as may be developed withihumb and fingers. In every instance this process of hot douching should be repeated four or five times in rapid succession, as it not only as- u sures the thorough cleansing of the pocket " by removal of pus and extraneous substances, but the stimulating effect of the hot water is essential. Hot water excites both pericementum and periosteum to a