Page 250 - My FlipBook

248 EXCLUSION OF MOISTURE.
ances with the tongue or pahite, tliese surfaces may be painted with
tincture of camphor. Spasmodic coughing, not infrequent with nervous
])ersons, yields to tlie same treatment. Camphor appears to relieve in
these instances by its antispasmodic power, and it is stated to have also
a specific action u])on the eighth pair of nerves.
Nervousness coming on during any of the operations upon the teeth
mav as easilv and in the same manner be avoided. It will be observed
that in neither of these conditions are the first signs of ajjprDaching
synco})e a[)parent, viz. sighing respiration, pallor, and clammy perspi-
ration of the face.
A condition somewhat simulating approaching syncope sometimes
appears in connection with the use of the rubber dam, due to partially
suspended respiration, which is caused not so much by the obstruction
of the mouth as by the unpleasant sensations occasioned by the appli-
cation and ])resence of the dam. This may at once be overcome by
requesting the patient to breathe deeply through the nose.