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242 DENTAL MEDICINE.
Dental Uses.—In dental practice tannic acid is a valuable agent
for local use in the treatment of such diseases as mercurial stoma-
titis, ulceration of the gums and mucous membrane of the mouth,
hypertrophy of the gums, hemorrhage following the extraction of
teeth and wounds of mucous membrane, fungous growth of pulp,
sensitive dentine, sponginess of the gums, for the temporary re-
lief of odontalgia, disease of the antrum. In mercurial salivation
tannic acid, in the form of powder, moistened with water, will
render the spongy gums firmer and more comfortable, causing
contraction of the vessels and checking a tendency to absorption
and the consequent loosening of the teeth. A strong solution of
tannin in alcohol is beneficial in obtunding the sensitiveness of
dentine, or the tannin may be in the form of a powder, com-
bined with morphine and creasote. Tannic acid, in the form of
a paste or ointment, made by rubbing two scruples of tannin with
twenty drops of glycerine, and then with an ounce of lard, makes
a good astringent application. A gargle composed of tannic acid
and glycerine is a useful application for abrasions caused by arti-
ficial teeth and other irritants. A preparation known as Elixir
of Vitriol and Tannin^ saturated solution, is a powerful astringent
and hemostatic when applied to bleeding surfaces, fungous
growths, etc.
An English preparation known as Styptic Colloid^ is a saturated
solution of tannin and gun cotton, and is highly recommended
for its styptic and deodorizing properties, as it solidifies blood and
albumen by mere contact, and can be applied directly by means
of a camel's-hair brush, or, mixed with an equal quantity of ether,
in the form of spray. No irritation follows its use, and for
hemorrhage from the extraction of teeth, or, in the treatment of
necrosed or carious maxillary bones, it is very efficient. Cold or
warm water will not dissolve it ; but an ether and alcohol solu-
tion may be used to remove the dressing.
Tannic acid, as an internal remedy, has also been successfully
administered for checking hemorrhage after tooth-extraction.
Dr. W. L. Roberts says : Tannic acid, administered internally,
in proper doses, will stop, I believe, any case of such hemorrhage
in from thirty minutes to one and one-half hour's time. He rec-