Page 263 - My FlipBook

PROPHYLAXIS OF DENTAL DECAY. 235

nowhere is the saying in medicine, experience is of greater value
than reasoning, truer than in questions dealing with the physi-
ological action of the salts of mercury. I, myself, have made
extensive use of the above formula without a trace of any physio-
logical or toxicological action, and if a sufficient number of
members of the profession would make a trial of this solution
upon themselves, and report the results, a great deal would be
done toward solving the question of the advisability of recom-
mending the wash in practice.
The taste of the bichloride is exceedingly disagreeable, even
in dilute solutions ; it may to a certain extent be disguised by
the use of rose-water in place of aqua destillata as a solvent, as
suggested by Allan.
Unfortunately, our pharmacopoeia is not yet so rich that the
physician or dentist can restrict himself to the use of good-tast-
ing medicaments.
I have been informed by some who have used the bichloride
as a mouth-wash that whereas it has most excellent etfect in all
suppurative diseases of the gums, it discolors the teeth. This
of course would be a serious disadvantage if it should prove
to be true. All the discoloration I have ever observed could
be readily removed with brush and powder.
On the whole, however, the fear of a possible toxic effect from
the bichloride, which, in consideration of the fact that certain
individuals are extremely sensitive to the action of this drug, we
shall scarcely be able to escape from, will probably prevent its
ever being extensively introduced except for occasional use in
acute infectious and putrid conditions of the mouth. I per-
sonally have never prescribed it for prolonged use, except for a
few friends who were in a position to control its action. From
such the only complaint I have heard has been of its bad taste.
Witzel is enthusiastic in his praise of sublimate in the treat-
ment of putrid and septic conditions of the mouth. " A few
drops of a 2 per cent, ethereal solution of sublimate in a glass
of water suffice to remove for a short time the most offensive
smell from the mouth." " Syringing the alveoli with sublimate
1-1000 followed by the injection of six to eight drops of a 2 per
cent, solution into the septic parts .... as most sover-