Page 212 - My FlipBook

196 HUNTER ON THE TEETH.
practice of early opening these abcesses upon the inside of
the mouth is more necessary, when the abscess is in the
lower jaw, than when in the upper ; because matter by its
weight always produces ulceration more readily at the lower
part. I have seen this practice answer, even when the
matter had come so near the skin, as to have inflamed it. If
it is in the upper, the opening need not be so very large ;
as the matter will have a depending outlet.
To prevent a relapse of the disease, it will in most cases
be necessary to pull out the Tooth ; which has either been
the first cause, or has become diseased, in consequence of the
formation of the abcess and in either case is capable of
;
reproducing the disease.
The mouth should be often washed ; and while the water
is within the mouth, the skin should be pressed opposite to
the abcess.
If the life of the bone be destroyed, it will exfoliate ; and
very probably two or three of the Teeth may come away
with the exfoliation. Little should be done in such cases,
except that the patient should keep the mouth as clean as
possible by frequently washing it, and when the bones
exfoliate, they should be removed as soon as possible, (v) In
these cases it is but too common for the Dentist to be very
busy, and perhaps do mischief through ignorance.

§ 7. Abcess of the Antrum Maxillare.
The Antrum Maxillare is very subject to inflammation and
suppuration, by means of diseases of the neighbouring parts,
and particularly of the duct leading to the nose being
obliterated. Whether this is the cause, or only an effect, is

(u) [One of the best applications in all cases where there is diseased
hone and an offensive discharge is, a gargle composed of the liquor sodfe
chlorinatfc in the proportion one part to twelve of water. It acts as a
deodoriser, and removes the offensive smell of the discharge.]