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EXCRESCENCES FROM THE GUM. 193
5. Excrescences from the Gum.
§
From bad Teeth there are also sometimes excrescences,
arising at once out of the Gum ; near, or in contact with,
the diseased Tooth.
sary afterwards to apply astringents or caustics to the part.—See
« Taft's Operative Dentistry,' p. 263.
Mechanical injury is another cause, when this happens the case
must be treated upon the principles of general surgery, and if the
immediate effects of the injury can be overcome then the tooth
having been healthy previously there is every prospect of the inflam-
mation subsiding, and the parts returning to their natural condition.
Inflammation of the dental periosteum sometimes accompanies a com-
mon cold, and when this happens, it generally yields to the same treat-
ment as that which cures the cold.
Some time back, Dr. Marechal de Calvi called attention to a peculiar
form of dental periostitis, which he terms expulsive gingivitis. It bears
a close resemblance to that condition described by Fox and others under
the title of " scurvy in the gums." Dr. Edward Carriere says it is
particularly prevalent where scrofula prevails. In the district of lower
Austria, which extends from the south of the plains of Vienna, as far
as the province of Styria, this disease attacks the teeth at all ages, and
there are few of the inhabitants who have not suffered more or less from
its ravages. The same authority states that its progress may be arrested
by the use of the iodide of potassium, fl)
Dr. Graves, of Dublin, first clearly pointed out the existence of rheu-
matic periostitis in the membrane of the tooth, and showed that this
also might be cured by the use of the iodide of potassium. See his
Clinical Lectures.
When mercury has been given in excess it produces a peculiar kind of
chronic periostitis, and unless the medicine is withdrawn, will speedily
cause the loss of whatever teeth may remain in the mouth. This form
of the disease is best combatted by the use of the chlorate of potash,
taken internally and applied locally as a gargle. Dr. Watson recommends
one part of brandy to four of water, to be used as a gargle in mercurial
salivation. Tonic medicines and fresh air are also exceedingly bene-
ficial in these cases.
In the three last forms of dental periostitis, the pus oozes from
the necks of the teeth, and may be rendered visible by pressing on the
gums over the affected teeth.]
(1) See L'Art Dentaire, vol. iv., also the writer's lectures on Diseases of
the Dental Periosteum.