Page 196 - My FlipBook

'"fi Tooth Ache.
both Pas become a foreign and extraneous body, its nerve
having perished ; therefore, it is best to remove such teeth as
a general rule, for though the inflammation will subside, and
resolution take place, yet they will be subject to like attacks,
every time the patient takes the least cold, till they are re-
moved. The periosteum has become disorganized, and all
vascular and vital connexion existing between it and the fang3
'.lestrnyed;
Periostitis frequently terminates in gufn-biles, which ar5
very troublesome and painful. Sometimes the inflammation 1
spreads to the contiguous parts, and a swelled face is the con-
ic tpjehfte. In stich cases it is advisable to foment* the face,
and open the abscess as soon as it cbmes to a head, and when
the swelling has subsided, to extract the cause of the mischief.
Whenever a tooth becomes dead, nature, ever watchful of
her charge, endeavor to remove it, and she effects this process,
by causing an absorption of the periosteum and sockets, and d
rJeposition of ossi.lc matter at the bottom of the sockets, which
gradually protrudes the teei'Ii.
The fdhgs of teeth, the crowns of which have decayed away,
are always removed by this process, if left to nature ; very
Wteri the dead fangs are completely thrown out of their sock-
ets, and lie flat on the gums to which they adhere.
When there are many carious and painful teeth and stumps,
In the mouth, (lie health is often injured, from the constant
and continued pain and irritation, which perfectly unfits the
patient for exercise, of either body or mind, and frequently he
Is driven almost " mad with the tooth ache," and sleepless!

{
The best fomentation for a swelled face, in our opinion, is the fol-
lowing :
Take a handful of camomile flowers and one large popy head,
ahd pour on them, a quart of boiling water : flannels folded several
times, are to be wrung out of the infusion and constantly applied to the
face till the pain abates. The infusion may also be held in the mouth.
An infusion of the hop, also makes an excellent fomentation for the
kbr.ve purpose. A popy head or a few drops of laudanum ir.ay Le added
frith advantage.