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284 THIRD PERIOD—MODERN TIMES

besides, with caries of the temporal bone, in so advanced a degree that
the probe could reach the dura mater; he was, therefore, in serious
danger of his life, had to undergo several surgical operations of exceptional
gravity, and even after recovery remained permanently subject to various
disturbances, such as a salivary fistula, paralysis of the lower eyelid, etc.
And all this because the surgeons whom the patient had called in had
directed all their attention to the secondary facts, instead of suppressing
the primary cause of the evil, represented by a dental affection.
A case observed by the surgeon Juton and communicated by him to
the author is also a very important one. The patient was suffering with
a large abscess on the right side of the lower jaw, accompanied by such
great swelling of the cheek that it was impossible to open the mouth wide
enough to examine the teeth. Juton proposed opening the abscess
immediately, but the patient would not consent. The following day
he was sent for in great haste. The gathering had changed its seat,
making its way between the skin and muscles of the neck, where it now
formed so huge a tumefaction that the patient was in danger of being
suffocated. The abscess was now immediately opened, but the swelling
of the face still persisted; it was therefore only after a month had elapsed
that it was possible to extract the root of the last molar, which had been
the original cause of the whole malady. The surgeon observed that the
liquid injected into the fistulous opening in the neck issued from the
alveolus of the last molar. After the extraction of the root a prompt
recovery was effected.'
The second volume of Fauchard's work is entirely devoted to operative
dentistry and prosthesis.
Before speaking of the modes of cleaning, filing, and stopping the
teeth, the author combats the opinion maintained by some, that these
operations are in part useless, in part also dangerous, as having the effect
of loosening the teeth, of depriving them of their enamel, and ruining
them.
Fauchard then describes the instruments proper for detaching the
tartar;- he speaks of the method to be followed in cleaning the teeth in
order to not endanger the enamel;^ he speaks of the different kinds of
dental files, of their different uses in relation to the various cases and
indications; of the precautions to be taken in making use of them;^ of
the instruments to be used for scraping and cleaning the carious cavities
and of the mode of employing them."
All of the above-named instruments are illustrated by figures, in con-
templating which one cannot but reflect on the inferiority of the instru-
ments then in use as compared with those of the present day. The greater

' Chap, xxxviii, p. 4H1. -' Vol. ii, cliap. ii. ' Chap. iii. ^ Chap. iv. ^ Chap. v.