Page 70 - An essay on the diseasesof the jaws, and their treatment

48 AN ESSAY ON THE not to mention that these adhesions particularly impaired the enunciation of the patient. In addition to these evils, this almost complete closure of the mouth and teeth had for a long time prevented the patient from taking solid food, and indeed hardly admitted a sufficient quantity offluids to preserve his deplorable existence, especially during a long and tedious sea voyage ; an evil which would have been nearly destructive to the patient, had it not been in some degree les- sened by the removal of one of his incisors. He laboured under excessive debility and nervous irritability, accompanied by fever and general emaciation; in short, his health had suffered to such a degree, that his life might be regarded as being in a most pre- carious state. TREATMENT. The principal indication of treatment in this interesting case, was evidently to relieve the inflammation of the surviving osseous and soft structures, by promoting the exfoliation of the carious sockets and other bones, and more especially, by removing all the dead teeth. These operations, however, were rendered particu- larly difficult and painful by the fixed state of the under jaw; to this the great debility of the patient added another very consider- able obstacle, notwithstanding his surprising fortitude. The fol- lowing treatment was adopted. June 12th, 1826. Seven dead teeth were removed, and the patient directed to wash his mouth frequently with a mixture of tincture of myrrh, honey, and_sage tea. June 16th. Two dead teeth were extracted, and the use of the lotion continued. The patient's health and strength were already improving, and by the extraction of his front teeth, he was enabled to take more nourishment. June 19th. Four teeth more were removed, the health of the patient still continuing to improve. Some parts of the sockets liad come away by exfoliation. The patient complained of pain in the jaws. Mr. Lawrence, who had seen him a few days I July 7th. I found our patient almost recovered and in ex- cellent spirits. previously, had taken away the greater part of the remaining J