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Gum-Biles. 159
ter, a puncture should be made with a lancet, so as to suffer
it to escape and prevent a more extensive effusion.*
* " When the inflammation caused by a dead tooth is very great,' we
should be particularly careful to guard against its effects. The forma-
tion of matter is often so considerable, as to produce an abcess of no
small extent. In some cases, the matter is contained within a cavity,
extending through the length of one side of the jaw. Those which
produce the most distressing symptoms are the wisdom teeth of the
lower jaw ; when inflammation extends from either of these teeth to the
contiguous pans, the swelling is speedily diffused over the whole cheek,
so as to close the eye, and cause a considerable hardness of the upper
part of the neck near the angle of the jaw. The muscles of the jaw
are also affected by adhesive inflammation, and they become so rigid,
that it is with great difficulty the mouth can be opened.
" These cases require the utmost attention, for a large abcess is usually
formed, which, if left to itself bursts externally ; the ulceration extend-
ing through the substance of the cheek, there producing a most trouble-
some sore, which when healed, leaves a deforming scar. To prevent
these sad consequences, when the matter is formed, a free opening should
be made on the inner side of the cheek, into the softest part of the tumor.''
— Fox's Natural History of the Teeth, part II, page 70.
When gum-biles burst externally, they generally make their appearance
in the middle of the cheek, if the abcess be situated in the upper jaw, but
if in the lower, the opening is generally seen a little below the jaw or at
its angle. These abcesses are rarely healed till the cause is removed
we have know dressings to be applied to them for months without any
benefit whatever : we have even known them to be treated as scroflulous.
Mr. Fox mentions a case, wherein lotions and dressings were employ-
ed for two years without advantage ; therefore, it is folly to attempt a
cure, without' first removing the cause of the mischief.
Whenever a person has a swelled face from a gum-bile, great care should
be taken that the abcess does not burst externally ; if there be any dan-
ger of this, it should be early opened on the inside of the mouth.
When gum-feiles are neglected, they sometimes produce the death and
exfoliation of a greater or less portion of the jaw bones, which occasions
much mischief. Mr. Fox mentions three such cases. Mr. Koecker and Mr.
Bell, state that they have seen many cases of exfoliation of portions of
the jaw bones, caused by.,neglected gum-biles. Other authors make simi-
lar statements. Like cases have fallen under our own observation, in one
of which, four sound teeth were lost, and in another, two. Hence, gum-
biles should never be neglected, for fear of the consequences which often
result from them.
Gum-Biles. 159
ter, a puncture should be made with a lancet, so as to suffer
it to escape and prevent a more extensive effusion.*
* " When the inflammation caused by a dead tooth is very great,' we
should be particularly careful to guard against its effects. The forma-
tion of matter is often so considerable, as to produce an abcess of no
small extent. In some cases, the matter is contained within a cavity,
extending through the length of one side of the jaw. Those which
produce the most distressing symptoms are the wisdom teeth of the
lower jaw ; when inflammation extends from either of these teeth to the
contiguous pans, the swelling is speedily diffused over the whole cheek,
so as to close the eye, and cause a considerable hardness of the upper
part of the neck near the angle of the jaw. The muscles of the jaw
are also affected by adhesive inflammation, and they become so rigid,
that it is with great difficulty the mouth can be opened.
" These cases require the utmost attention, for a large abcess is usually
formed, which, if left to itself bursts externally ; the ulceration extend-
ing through the substance of the cheek, there producing a most trouble-
some sore, which when healed, leaves a deforming scar. To prevent
these sad consequences, when the matter is formed, a free opening should
be made on the inner side of the cheek, into the softest part of the tumor.''
— Fox's Natural History of the Teeth, part II, page 70.
When gum-biles burst externally, they generally make their appearance
in the middle of the cheek, if the abcess be situated in the upper jaw, but
if in the lower, the opening is generally seen a little below the jaw or at
its angle. These abcesses are rarely healed till the cause is removed
we have know dressings to be applied to them for months without any
benefit whatever : we have even known them to be treated as scroflulous.
Mr. Fox mentions a case, wherein lotions and dressings were employ-
ed for two years without advantage ; therefore, it is folly to attempt a
cure, without' first removing the cause of the mischief.
Whenever a person has a swelled face from a gum-bile, great care should
be taken that the abcess does not burst externally ; if there be any dan-
ger of this, it should be early opened on the inside of the mouth.
When gum-feiles are neglected, they sometimes produce the death and
exfoliation of a greater or less portion of the jaw bones, which occasions
much mischief. Mr. Fox mentions three such cases. Mr. Koecker and Mr.
Bell, state that they have seen many cases of exfoliation of portions of
the jaw bones, caused by.,neglected gum-biles. Other authors make simi-
lar statements. Like cases have fallen under our own observation, in one
of which, four sound teeth were lost, and in another, two. Hence, gum-
biles should never be neglected, for fear of the consequences which often
result from them.
