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HISTOEY OF DENTAL SUEGERY 219
ating impossible ; and again when there is so much bleeding through the fora-
men that too much time is required to stop it.
"If the abscess is caused by the dead pulp, and we remove that, from
what source are we to look for further trouble ? None."'
Quite recently, in 1905 or 1906, Dr. Kells read a paper before the Chicago
Odontographic Society upon the same subject and advocating the same prac-
tice. It is undoubtedly true that a very large proportion of cases so treated
will do well but those who advocate this practice appear to ignore the fact
that in all cases of incipient or developed abscess an infectious disease has
become established in the apical space which may prove capable of perpetuat-
ing itself after the cause that first produced it has been removed. In most
cases, if the root is immediately filled, nature will effect a cure, but not always,
and while a good many are practicing the immediate filling of all pulpless
roots, a large majority of the profession appear to think it a good general rule
to see that the disease is cured before discontinuing treatment or supervision
and completing the operation.
ยป EXTBACTION AND TEANSPLANTATIOX.
"The extraction of an aching tooth was, very probably, the first dental
operation ever performed, and, for a long time was the principal one; and
even as late as 18oG, Spooner recommends it as the sole remedy for 'odontitis',
periostitis, exostosis, and necrosis.
^
"Wooffendale, in 1783, says: 'There are some teeth which it is impossi-
ble to draw. This happens when the roots are crooked, or, what the dentist calls
locked in the jaw; or when the roots of the double teeth diverge much, which
most commonly those of the upper jaw do. * * * jf frequently happens
that when any of these teeth break in the attempt to extract them, the roots
may be gotten out with the greatest ease in a day or two, a week, or a fortnight
afterward, though not at the time the tooth breaks.'
"Perhaps the first expression of the opinion that extraction in general is
an evil and should be avoided, which occurs in any American dental work, is
by L. S. Family, in his work on "The Management of the Teeth," Diiladel-
phia, 1819, page 137. He says: 'My experience warrants me in asserting that
extraction is much oftener resorted to than is necessary. Whenever a tooth
is painful, it is ad\'isal)le to have it examined, and an endeavor should be
' History of Dental and Oral Science in America.
"^ Guide to Sound Teeth, New York, 1836, pp. 93, 94.
' Observations on the Teeth, London, 17S3, p. 81.
HISTOEY OF DENTAL SUEGERY 219
ating impossible ; and again when there is so much bleeding through the fora-
men that too much time is required to stop it.
"If the abscess is caused by the dead pulp, and we remove that, from
what source are we to look for further trouble ? None."'
Quite recently, in 1905 or 1906, Dr. Kells read a paper before the Chicago
Odontographic Society upon the same subject and advocating the same prac-
tice. It is undoubtedly true that a very large proportion of cases so treated
will do well but those who advocate this practice appear to ignore the fact
that in all cases of incipient or developed abscess an infectious disease has
become established in the apical space which may prove capable of perpetuat-
ing itself after the cause that first produced it has been removed. In most
cases, if the root is immediately filled, nature will effect a cure, but not always,
and while a good many are practicing the immediate filling of all pulpless
roots, a large majority of the profession appear to think it a good general rule
to see that the disease is cured before discontinuing treatment or supervision
and completing the operation.
ยป EXTBACTION AND TEANSPLANTATIOX.
"The extraction of an aching tooth was, very probably, the first dental
operation ever performed, and, for a long time was the principal one; and
even as late as 18oG, Spooner recommends it as the sole remedy for 'odontitis',
periostitis, exostosis, and necrosis.
^
"Wooffendale, in 1783, says: 'There are some teeth which it is impossi-
ble to draw. This happens when the roots are crooked, or, what the dentist calls
locked in the jaw; or when the roots of the double teeth diverge much, which
most commonly those of the upper jaw do. * * * jf frequently happens
that when any of these teeth break in the attempt to extract them, the roots
may be gotten out with the greatest ease in a day or two, a week, or a fortnight
afterward, though not at the time the tooth breaks.'
"Perhaps the first expression of the opinion that extraction in general is
an evil and should be avoided, which occurs in any American dental work, is
by L. S. Family, in his work on "The Management of the Teeth," Diiladel-
phia, 1819, page 137. He says: 'My experience warrants me in asserting that
extraction is much oftener resorted to than is necessary. Whenever a tooth
is painful, it is ad\'isal)le to have it examined, and an endeavor should be
' History of Dental and Oral Science in America.
"^ Guide to Sound Teeth, New York, 1836, pp. 93, 94.
' Observations on the Teeth, London, 17S3, p. 81.
