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30 PYORRHCEA ALVEOLABIS. of a glass of water; or, as is preferable in most eases, a table- spoonful of whisky may be held in the mouth for a couple of minutes ; the effect gives almost instant relief, and the patient leaves the office of the dentist with no unpleasant impressions, which should always be the case in order to insure a return for necessary subsequent sittings. I would suggest that the bay rum should not be swallowed, as the dentist can not well know the medicinal properties of the elements of perfumery it may contain. INSTRUCTIONS TO PATIENTS. Patients should be cautioned to carefully avoid the use of alkalies in the mouth, as far as possible in diet, and particu- larly in dentifrices or mouth-washes. During treatment, and for some months subsequently, common pulverized sulfur should be used as the sole dentifrice ; it polishes the teeth much better than chalk, and exercises a mildly antiseptic influ- ence ; the extremely small per cent, of free sulfuric acid that always is present in commercial sulfur aids in acidulation of saliva. Sulfur thus used is a great aid to the recuperative period. Sometimes there is an aversion to sulfur on the part of patients, which usually is based on early reminiscences of the ills of childhood ; a little reasoning and good advice may overcome such objections to the extent of a promise of reg- ular use of the stuff for a specified number of weeks. All cases are much benefited by the frequent use of a solu- tion of alum in clean rainwater, the brush may advantageously be wet with it when brushing with the sulfur powder. The 1 taste, however, is 'not'of an a'gweafrle character to most persons.