Page 249 - My FlipBook

PREPARATORY TO FILLING 233
antiseptic in 1 in 454; eucalyptol, 1 in 116; oil
of cinnamon, 1 in 2100 oil of cassia (the modern
;
or adulterated oil), 1 in 2233. Eugenol and oil of
wintergreen were found to be both useless as dental
antiseptics. This still gives very high value to oil
of cassia, and the high place that creosote occupies
in these tests will please those who have " stuck to
it through thick and thin," notwithstanding the
frequency with which it has been decried. Dr. A.
K. Peck's experiments were published in the
Dental Revievj, August 1898.
The quality of many germicides, drugs, &c.,
probably varies somewhat, and this doubtless
accounts for the different results obtained by
different dentists.
Every dentist who gives much attention to this
work probably has his favourite remedy, but success
will always depend more on its application than on
the remedy itself. Time, patience, care, and digital
dexterity are the main requirements, and although
diflferent conditions may demand variations of
treatment, the best results will always be obtained
by the intelligent selection and skilful use of a
few medicaments.
Before dismissing this subject it may be men-
tioned that the treatment suggested for immediate
root-filling Avill apply equally well to the more