Page 191 - My FlipBook

SYMPTOMS OF INFLAMMATION. 175
with no bettor Buccess. At length, after a more particular
examination of the Teeth, one of them has been suspected to be
unsound ; and, being extracted has put an end to the disorder.
This shows how injudicious it is to give medicine in such
cases, while the true state of the Tooth is unknown.
This disease is often the cause of bad breath more so than
any other disease of those parts ; especially when it has exposed
the cavity of the Tooth. This most probably arises from the
rotten part of the Tooth, and the juices of the mouth, and
food, all stagnating in this hollow part, which is warm, and
hastens putrefaction in them.
I come now to the prevention and cure of this disease.
The first thing to be considered, is the cure of the decaying
state of the Tooth, or rather the means of preventing the
further progress of the decay ; and more especially before it
hath reached the cavity, whereby the Tooth may be in some
degree preserved; the consequent pain and inflammations,
commonly called Tooth-ach, avoided and often the consequent
abcesses called Gum Boils. I believe, however, that no such
means of absolute prevention are as yet known. The progress
of the disease, in some cases, appears to have been retarded, by
removing that part which is already decayed ; but experience
shews, that there is but little dependence upon this practice. I
have known cases, where the black spot having been filed off,
and scooped entirely out, the decay has stopped for many years.
This practice is supposed to prevent at least any effect, that the
part already rotten may have upon the sounder parts ; however
if this is all the good that arises from this practice, I believe in
most cases, it might be as well omitted. Even if it were an
effectual practice, it could not be an universal one ; for it is not
always in the power of the operator to remove this decayed part
either on account of its situation, or on account of
its having made too great a progress, before it is
discovered. When it is on the basis of the grinder, or on
the posterior side of its neck, it can scarcely be reached. It
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