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INFLAMMATION. 137

the circulation, by the application of antiseptic agents, and by
maintaining thorough sterilization; hence, antiseptics which pos-
sess the power of destroying micro-organisms without the dan-
ger of destroying the vitality of the tissues, are considered to be
the most active agents of this class. When the hard tissues are
devitalized, such as bone, for example, although the living bone
becomes separate from the dead portion as efFectuallv as a living
soft part from its slough, yet it is necessary to liberate the bony
sequestrum from the overlying texture which may confine it;
hence the removal of dead bone is necessary as soon as the line
of demarcation is formed, the time for which may vary from a
period of less than three weeks in the case of small sequestra,
to more than two months, where the entire bone is involved.
Also in cases where the extremity of a part consisting of soft
and hard tissues, for example, the alveolar process and tissues
over it, become gangrenous, it is best, in most instances, to re-
move the dead tissues by amputation ; and such an operation may
also become necessary in cases of long-continued exhaustive sup-
puration. A4any forms of inflammation have their special
remedies, such as mercurial inflammation of the mouth, when
chlorate of potash is indicated ; periodontitis, when tincture of
iodine and tincture of aconite, or creasote, or carbolic acid, in
combination with the iodine, or iodine, aconite, canabis indica,
and benzoin in combination, etc., are indicated gingivitis,
;
where stimulating and antiseptic washes and lotions of tincture
of myrrh, biborate of soda, boric acid, carbolic acid solutions
and combinations, etc., are indicated. The spray of liquid air
is useful in aborting periodontitis, alveolar abscess, also in ad-
vanced stages of abscess after incision, in all inflammatory and
ulcerated conditions of the oral mucous membrane, etc. (See
Liquid Air.)
Constitutional Treatment.—Cathartics are serviceable for remov-
ing the unwholesome ingesta and irritating fecal accumulations
from the stomach and bowels, and also for stimulating the secre-
tions of the gastric and intestinal glands, the liver, pancreas,
etc., they also eliminate through such organs the toxic elements
introduced into the blood; also, by their revulsive action, reduc-