Page 506 - My FlipBook

DENTAL MEDICINE. —
504:
As a test for peroxide of hydrogen, Dr. Chas. Mayr suggests a
paper saturated with a mixed solution of iodide of potassium and
dithionate of soda. The peroxide of hydrogen liberates the iodine
in the iodide of potash, but this liberated iodine is immediately
seized by the dithionate of soda and a colorless solution is the
result. But if enough of the peroxide is applied the blue spot will
appear, because more iodine is liberated than can be used in
oxidizing the dithionate of soda to tetrathionate of soda; to make
the reaction more pronounced still, a little starch-paste is added.
By this paper one drop of peroxide of hydrogen of 12 volumes of
oxygen, produces a blue spot in 20 seconds; with six volumes in
from one to two minutes ; and with four volumes no blue spot is
produced, only possibly a blue rim.
Dose.—Of peroxide of hydrogen, gr. iij to gr. v, containing six
times its volume of oxygen, or two per cent. In operations on
mucous membrane, a strong solution of peroxide of hydrogen
twelve per cent. — greatly facilitates by decolorizing the blood and
by its cleansing, styptic action.
Dental Uses.—Peroxide of hydrogen is a valuable remedy in
dental therapeutics, especially in the treatment of alveolar abscess,
alveolar pyorrhoea, ulcerations of oral mucous membrane, gan-
grene or cancrum oris, fungous growths, bleaching discolored teeth,
putrescent pulps, stomatitis, etc., etc.
A twenty per cent, solution has been recommended for the
arrest of hemorrhage, after tooth extraction, by Mr. Bennett.
Dr. A. H. Prince's method of treatment, in the case of alveolar
abscess, illustrates the properties of peroxide of hydrogen. "The
septic abscess is caused to heal by one application made in the
following manner: After removing the pulp and passing a broach
through a canal of the root into the abscess cavity a drop of the
liquid is injected by means of Farrar's syringe. The cavity of the
crown is then immediately closed with softened gutta percha, before
which, under pressure of the finger, the liquor is driven into the
abscess cavity. Upon coming in contact with the pus in the fetid
cavity, the liberated gas permeates it throughout, and by the con-
tinued evolution of the gas the cavity is emptied of its contents,
which boil out at the fistulous opening so thoroughly mixed that