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158 DENTAL MEDICINE.

Mercurial Poisonings or Salivation^ when of a mild form, is in-
dicated by a red margin of the gum, which eventually becomes
somewhat spongy and tender, with a slight fetor of the breath
and a metallic taste.
An increased degree of salivation, or tnercurial stomatitis^ is in-
dicated by a profuse flow of saliva, intense fetor, strong metallic
taste, tenderness of the gums, stiffness of the jaws, followed by
ulceration and sloughing, if the injudicious use of the mercury is
persisted in.
Treatment.—Discontinue use of mercury. Chlorate of potash,
internally, gr. x, in water .^ss : as a gargle, 5jj to water oj > oi'
iodide of potassium in doses of gr. iij, three times a day. To
correct fetor of breath, permanganate of potash solution, gr. ij to
X, to the ounce of water ; or washes of chlorinated soda; astrin-
gent washes during convalescence. Loose teeth should not be
removed, as they will again become firm.
Lead Poisoning is indicated by a blue line upon the edge of the
gums, and such constitutional symptoms as paralysis and colic
attend severe cases.
Treatment.—Administration of iodide of potassium in gr. iij
doses four times a day, after meals, to eliminate the lead ; saline
cathartics, electricity, strychine, etc., for the paralysis, and tonics,
such as quinine, to promote the strength.
Scurvy is indicated by a general spongy condition of the gums,
and, in severe cases, intense fetor, ulceration and sloughing to-
gether with constitutional symptoms of an aggravated character.
The premonitory symptoms in the mouth are, gums, paler than
usual, with a slight tumid or everted line on free margins, and a
slight tenderness on pressure ; breath offensive, and a disagree-
able taste ; tongue flabby and larger, though clean and pale.
Later, the gums become darkened in color, inflamed, swollen,
spongy, bleed readily, and finally separate from the teeth. The
gums of edentulous jaws do not present these symptoms. At
length, the gums present great, fungous, lacerable excrescences,
which are prone to suppurate and become a brown, fetid mass,
with a very offensive odor. The salivary glands become en-
larged and swollen ; tongue indented by the teeth, which latter