Page 136 - My FlipBook

134 DENTAL MEDICINE.
especially indicated for parts having a feeble circulation. Warm,
moist applications, such as poultices, promote the tendency to
suppuration ; hence, care should be observed in applying such
applications to the surface of the face, in the case of an alveolar
abscess, as pointing and the escape of pus may be induced in a
position where permanent disfigurement would be very apparent.
Compression is also of service in the treatment of certain forms
of inflammation, especially during the late stages; but it must be
uniformly, moderately, and continuously applied. Even in the
acute form, compression may prevent the over-distention of the
capillaries and limit the exudation; in the chronic form, com-
pression promotes absorption. It is accomplished by means of
bandages, either alone or in conjunction with cotton batting, as
the latter prevents irregular constriction and maintains a uniform
temperature. A fine compressed sponge moistened, after it is
applied, with tepid water, is a painless and effective means for
obtaining compression in the treatment of indolent ulcers. Com-
pression by means of sheet lead or tin, and pads of bibulous
paper, will often prevent an alveolar abscess from discharging
on the surface of the cheek or neck, when such an event is
imminent.
Blood-letting.—General blood-letting is now rarely emploved in
the treatment of inflammation ; but the local abstraction of blood
by means of leeches, cups, scarification, incisions, and other
means, is of great service in reducing vascular action, and lessen-
ing inflammatory symptoms. The efliciency of local depletion
in relieving hyperaemia is very evident by the cessation of pain
caused by strangulation and tension. Periodontitis and acute
gingivitis furnish examples. Leeches should never be applied to
a part where it would be difficult to arrest the hemorrhage which
may follow their use ; their application is also contra-indicated
in the case of children, who cannot bear the loss of considerable
blood with impunity.
Incisions are made for the purpose of relieving tension and
pain, evacuating pus, or the escape of dead material, for tension
aggravates the inflammation and the retention of pus in an
abscess prolongs the pain, and also adds to the destruction of