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OF CUTTING THE GUMS. 247
gum, and therefore the Teetli will find more difliculty in
passing, and give more pain. But this is also contrary to
facts for we find that all parts which have been the seat
;
either of wounds or sores, are always more ready to give way
to pressure, or any other disease which attacks either the
part itself or the constitution. Therefore each operation
tends to make the passing of the Teeth easier, (g)
When the Teetli begin to give pain, we find them generally
so far formed, as to be easily discerned through the gum.
The fore Teeth are to be observed at first, not on the edge
of the gum, but on the fore part, making risings there, which
appear whiter than the other parts ; occasioned by pressure
approaching towards the surface of the gum, and it may be
observed, that the gums are broader than usual. At this
period the incisions must be made pretty deep, till the
Tooth be felt with the instrument, otherwise little effect
will be produced by the operation : and this is the gene-
ral rule with respect to the depth of the incision in all cases.
When the grinders shoot into the gum, they flatten the
edge of the gum, and make it broad. These Teeth are more
easily hit by the instrument than the fore Teeth.
The operation should not be done with a fine pointed in-
strument, such as a common lancet, because most probably
the point will be broken off against the Tooth, which will
make the instrument unfit for going on further, if more
incisions are required.
A common lancet, with its point rounded, is a very good
instrument ; but an instrument, something like a fleam,
would be of the most convenient shape.
There is no need of any great delicacy in the operation,
the gums being very insensible parts ; and to cut through

(g) [Upon, the benefits derived from lancing the gums in certain dis-
orders which accompany the cutting of the teeth, see Dr. Ashburner's
work On Dentition and some Coincident Disorders. London, 1834. For
the opposite views, the reader may consult Dentition and its Derange-
ments. By A. Jacobi, M.D. New York, 1862.]