Page 242 - My FlipBook

226 HUNTER ON THE TEETH.
before it is drawn, which is attended with very little advan-
tage ; because at best it can only be imperfectly done, and
that part of the gum, which adheres to the Tooth, decays
when it is lost. But if such a separation, as can be made,
saves any pain in the whole of the operation, I should cer-
it might
tainly recommend it ; and at least in some cases,
prevent the gum from being torn. It is also a common
practice to close the gum as it is termed ; this is more fur
show than use ; for the gum cannot be made so close as to
unite by the first intention; and therefore the cavity from
which the Tooth came, must suppurate like every other
wound. But, as the sensations of these parts are adapted to
such a loss and, as a process very
; different from that
which follows the loss of so much substance in any other
part of the body, is to take place ; the consequent inflam-
mations and suppurations are not so violent* We may be
allowed to call this a natural operation which goes on in the
gum and alveoli, and not a violence
; as we see that the
delivery of a young animal before its time, which is similar
to the drawing of a fixed Tooth, in happening before all
the containing parts are prepared for the loss, produces
considerable local violence, without doing proportionable
mischief. Therefore, in general, it is very unnecessary to
do any thing at all to the gum.
There are some particular circumstances, which natu-
rally, and others which accidentally attend and follow the
drawingof Teeth ; but they are in general of no great con-
sequence.
There follows a bleeding from the vessels of the socket,
and those passing between it and the Teeth.f This com-
monly is but trifling however, instances have
; occurred'
where it has been very considerable, and the awkwardness

* Vide Natural History, on decay of the Alveoli, page 8.
t Vide Natural History, pp. 53, 54, 55.