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410 DENTAL MEDICINE.

Therapeutic Uses.—Formaldehyde is a very reliable and useful
germicide, antiseptic, and disinfectant. It is non-toxic, active,
and permanent, and has no destructive action on vegetable or
animal substances when locally applied in the form of formalin.
Being of low specific gravity, the vapor of formaldehyde mixes
readily with the air, and possesses more penetrating power in loose
fabrics than any other germicide. Its activity as a germicide
closely approaches, if it does not equal, that of corrosive sublimate.
In the strength of i to 2,000 it is used in place of the bichloride
of mercury for injections in large cavities, etc.
Dental Uses.—In dental practice, formalin is employed as an
antiseptic and deodorizer in the treatment of putrescent pulps,
alveolar abscesses, etc. Also as a local application to ulcers of
the mouth, abrasions, etc. One and a half per cent, solutions
are used as gargles and mouth washes ; also, two and one-half per
cent, solutions for ulcers, skin diseases, etc. To make a one per
cent, solution, one part of formalin is added to 40 parts of water
(i oz. to 2^ pints). For sterilizing cavities in teeth, a twenty
per cent, solution of formalin is very effective, and more especially
if the cavity is large, or any decomposed dentine is allowed to
remain as a covering to the pulp. It is also serviceable in
putrescent canals, and for rendering devitalized pulps hard and
leathery after the action of arsenious acid ; in such cases a 20 per
cent, solution is applied on cotton and permitted to remain for
three to six days. For pulp-exposure a 2 per cent, solution may
be applied before capping. While non-toxic, it requires care in
its use, as it is an intense irritant to flesh. A 4 per cent, solution
will remove putrescent pulp-odor from the fingers.
Paraform., or polymerized formaldehyde, is a colorless crystal-
line powder, insoluble in water, which when heated gives off
formaldehyde gas. This gas is recommended by Dr. H. O. Reik
as an excellent sterilizer of instruments, napkins, towels, etc.
Paraform pastilles are placed in a small air-tight chamber together
with the articles to be sterilized, and formaldehyde gas liberated
by means of an alcohol lamp placed underneath.
Glutol is a compound of formaldehyde and gelatin, in the form
of a powder, which is antiseptic, and while it dries the surface of