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21 the proper method. The extraction of a tooth fhould never be The very fudden or quick. patient fhould be placed either on a high or low feat, (as the cafe re quires) when the inftrument is applied to the tooth ; and before an attempt is made to draw, the operator fhould feel that he has a firm, fecure hold of it : fa- tisfied of this, he muft then draw fteadily in a flraight direction of the natural pofition of the tooth ; and if the ftrength of his right arm is infufficient to effect its removal, his left muft affift. When an upper mo lares, or grinder is to be extracted, the patient fhould be placed or feated very low, with the head refting upon the operators knees. If an under one is to be removed, the patient fhould be placed on the height of a common chair, and the head placed upon the operators breaft, who fhould firmly and fecurely clafp it with his left arm. Thefe pofitions effectually fecure the patient from ftruggling, and thereby re tarding or preventing the fuccelsful completion of the operation — brings both the operator's hands in front of the patients face — enables him to apply the ftrength of both, if neceffary ; and consequently to remove the tooth in the direction before mentioned, with eafe, fafety and fuccefs. If an incifori or canini is to be ex tracted, the patient muft be placed in the fame fitua tion as for the removal of the molares, with the dif ference of reverfing the pofitions. But a front tooth ought never to be extracted, unlefs an abcefs is form ed at the root of it. A judicious operator can al ways afcertain this, from circumftances and external ap pearances. A tooth with one fang or root, that gives pain from any other caufe than an abfeefs, can cafily be cured and rendered ferviceablc, oftentimes, during a perfons life. If a front tooth is extracted, it generally produces a contraction of the parts from whence it was remov ed ; and confequently draws the mouth partly on one fide. Independent of this circumftance, it would be bad practice to extract a front tooth, or flump ;