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146 DENTAL MEDICINE. ;

Treatment.—The treatment of caries of bone consists in re-
moving the carious portion with the bone-chisel and sharp spoon
and disinfecting the entire tract with hydrogen peroxide or caustic
pyrozone, then packing the wound with iodoform gauze, soaked
in a mixture of balsam of Peru containing ten per cent, of guiacol.
The constitutional treatment consists in the giving of tonics,
such as iron, quinine, cod-liver oil, and malt extracts, and nourish-
ing food.
General Remarks.—In every case, the first object should be to
ascertain and, if possible, remove the cause of a disease. It
should be remembered that medicinal substances are always more
certain in their action when applied directly to the affected
tissue j also, that chemical, physical and vital changes result from
the topical action of such substances ; and that age modifies the
effects, and also determines the dose ; also sex^ owing to the
greater susceptibility of the nervous system in females than in
males; also the temperament^ as the sanguine, for example, is
more susceptible to the influence of medicinal agents than the
phlegmatic ; also habit and tnode of life., as the habitual use of
such agents as stimulants lessens their influence, and the occupa-
tion affects the susceptibility to external influence ; also the con-
dition of the body., as different diseases exercise considerable in-
also the mind., as
fluence on the effects of medicinal substances ;
a hopeful mind conduces to the beneficial action of medicines
also idiosyncrasy., as some individuals are more susceptible to the
action or effects of medicinal substances than others ; also the
nature of the tissue or organ to which application is made, as some
are more susceptible to the effect of medicinal agents than others,
owing to rapidity of absorption and the degree of decomposition
of the substance employed ; also climate., from the recognized in-
fluence of climate in modifying the structure and functions of the
animal economy, and increasing or diminishing morbid conditions,
and by such means influencing the effects of medicinal-agents.
In most acute diseases there is a tendency to recovery after a
certain time has elapsed, in case there is no failure in the func-
tions of any of the essential organs; hence, in all acute diseases,
the state of the nervous system should be carefully watched.