Page 473 - My FlipBook
P. 473
SEPTIC CASES. 471
mass to the apex of the root, it is the part of wisdom and prudence to
destroy the organisms as a primary measure. There is no quicker or
effective means of destroying H^S, and probably the causes leading to
its production, than applications of iodin. The reaction involved in
the decomposition of H2S by iodin Mas pointed out by Dr. AV. F.
Litch :' " In passing a stream of hydrogen sulfid through tincture of
iodin, the latter element seizes upon the hydrogen, forming hydriodic
acid, which remains in solution, the sulfur falls as a precipitate ; the
solution is decolorized," Any excess of iodin which remains may be
readily removed by an ap])Hcation of ammonia water, a solution of
ammoniimi iodid being formed which may be readily washed away.
A penetrating antiseptic is now indicated, to sterilize to as great a
depth as practicable. A 10 per cent, solution of formalin fultils this
indication. It is permitted to act for some time. The contents of the
canal are scraped away, never pushing the broach by which the scraping
is done, for fear of carrying organisms deeper into the canal. As the
end of the canal is approached 5 per cent, formalin is substituted.
As stated, septic canals contain certain fatty bodies and derivatives
of albumin, together with more or less partially disorganized pulp tissue
and a mixed bacterial infection. Examining the list of therapeutic
agents it is seen that one of them, sodium dioxid, possesses properties
capable of neutralizing each of the offending elements. This material
may be employed either in the solid form or in solution. Solutions of
sodium dioxid must be made with great care to prevent escape of the
oxygen. A tumbler of distilled water is set in a vessel containing ice-
water; into the distilled water the sodium dioxid is dusted very slowly
in small amounts. Each addition is attended by the evolution of heat."
The sodium dioxid is added to the point of saturation, and reduced to
the desired percentage strength by additions of distilled water .^
A drop of the saturated solution is placed upon a Avisp of asbestos
fiber (as it destroys cotton fiber) and is carried into the canal ; in a few
moments the cavity may be syringed, and a deeper application of the
dioxid solution made—this time of 50 per cent, solution. Each time
the asbestos is removed it is seen that the discolored dentin surroundino-
the canal becomes whiter; the discoloring matter in the tubules has been
destroyed.
When a broach may be passed freely to the apex of the root, and
the solution comes away clear from the root, sterilization is presumably
1 Dental Co!
perforated as a pepper caster, and tlie sodium dioxid shaken into the distilled water
through the perforations.
' E. C. Kirk, Denial Cosmos, vol. xxxv. p. 195; F. T. Van AVoert,
ibid., vol. .\.\xvi.
p. 499.
