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184 PRELIMINARY PREPARATION OF THE TEETH.

composed of potassium chlorate and quinin will j)r()vc sufficient in most
cases, as follows :

1^'. Potassii chloras, Sij
;
Quininje sulphas, gr. iij
;
S[). rectificatus, §j ;
Aquae, 3vj.—M.
S. For use as a jjargle. A dessertspoonful to a winej^lass of
water, or directly upon the gum in full strength by means of
a soft tooth-brush.

Concurrently with the local tlicrapeusis the employment of massage
of the gum with the tinger, either naked or covered with a na|)kin, is
of considerable value.
When the conditions are catarrhal or are expressive of gastric
derangement only general treatment \vitli concurrent attention to the
diet and correct hygienic relations will meet the requirements of the
case. Coincident with the general treatment above indicated, the
simpler operations upon occlusal surfaces may be carried on.
In all cases of initial treatment for children or nervous patients it
is important to begin with simple and, as nearly as may be, painless
operations, to accustom such patients to the more or less disagreeable
procedures and to elicit their interest and co-operation in what is being
done for their benefit.
Cavities on Appboximal Surfaces.
The preliminary treatment of this class of cases, on account of the
limitation of space and the necessity for somewhat indirect application
of the instruments and of the requisite force, necessitates the closest
attention to every detail. Upon the care here taken depends the
comfort, and furthermore, indirectly in many instances, the health of
the person.
The procedure of first importance is to produce a sufficient enlarge-
ment of the interproximal space. In all cases, whether the teeth are in
apparent contact or whether they may, from loss of substance on the
approximal aspect, present sufficient room for the management of the
various procedures, spacing is equally necessary. It is done in order
that when the stopping procedures shall have been completed the natural
relations of the teeth Avith each other will be restored. This relation, as
before indicated, is one of apparent contact near the occlusal surfiice
with a triangular space at the cervix. The mechanical basis of this
arrangement is such that the function of comminution of food is better
effiicted if there is no breach in the continuity of the occlusal aspect of
the denture.