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SEPARATION OF THE TEETH. 133

which are cotton, wood, India rubber, and ligatures.
The condition and character of the parts to be
operated upon, will indicate the material best adapted
in any given instance. In a good constitution, with
the teeth firmly set, and the contiguous parts healthy,
wood or India rubber may be applied ; but in cases

of an opposite character, a more yielding and tract-
able material is indicated. The degree of pressure
to be applied and continued, will be determined by
the susceptibility of the parts to irritation. Soreness
usually occurs in a few hours after the introduction
of the material. The pressure should be gradual and
constant, slight at first, and increased in force as the

patient will bear ; the increase being made every clay,
and continued till ample space is obtained. The
time necessary for the completion of this process is
from ten to twelve days ; only one separation should
be made at a time. The teeth should be retained
apart till the soreness has abated, before the opera-
tion. If not thus retained too long, they will return
to their former position. It is by some supposed that
separation by pressure is admissible only in the case
of the young, or those under thirty years of age. It

is true that they are the most susceptible ; but the
operation is, under favorable circumstances, proper at
any age.