Page 163 - My FlipBook

Scurvy in the Gums. 143
after treatment of the disease. Some recommend the gums
to be often scarified, the mouth frequently rinced during
the day, with strong stimulating tinctures or washes, and the
teeth brushed morning and evening with a very stiff brush and
an astringent tooth powder others recommend mild washes
:
and soft tooth brushes : each considers the treatment opposed to
his views, as injurious. These opinions have arisen from the
circumstance, that their authors have not discriminated the
different states or conditions of the disease ; whether the in-
flammation be healthy or unhealthy.
The proper treatment is clearly pointed out by the surgeon's
treatment of ulcers : to healthy ones, he applies simple dres-
sings, and leaves the rest to nature : to those that are unheal-
thy and want action, he applies severe friction, stimulating or
acrid washes or powders. So should scurvy in the gum be
treated. After the removal of its causes, if the disease takes
on a healthy action, as it generally does, mild washes, as those
recommended by Mr. Koecker, and a soft tooth brush and a
mildly astringent tooth powder, (see subject of tooth powders,)
are all that are required or proper. On the other hand, when
there continues unhealthy action, as indicated by swollen and
spongy gums, bleeding easily, and of a livid color, which do not
adhere about the necks of the teeth, scarifications, stimulating
tinctures, a stiff brush, and a more powerful tooth powder are
to be used. Under these circumstances the gums should be
scarified, by passing a lancet freely between the teeth, to relieve
the turged vessels of stagnant blood. Dr. Fitch recommends
a decoction of white oak bark as an astringent wash. It is a
very good one. A decoction of nutgalls is equally good, and
at the command of every one. Mr. Fox recommends, (and
the practice is sanctioned by others,) a solution of the nitrate'
of silver to be applied to the gums, with a camel's hair pencil,
when they continue of a livid color and spongy texture ; it is
an excellent remedy.
When the local causes of the disease have been removed,