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PATHOLOGICAL CONDITIONS. 247

also may be taken up by imbibition. In either of
these ways it may pass into the dentine, and so far as
concerns the results, it matters not in which way. It
is enough to know that there are well defined cases
of its specific effect on the constitution, after having
been applied to toothbone—demonstrating that it
must have been taken up by the circulation; and
also cases of its manifest effect on the periosteum in
a short time after having been applied to the cavity
of a tooth, the pulp of which is dead—thus proving

that it must have been absorbed by imbibition.
If arsenic is ever employed in the treatment of
sensitive dentine, it should be suffered to remain in
the cavity but a short time—from one to three hours
—and then the part with which it was in contact,
should be very thoroughly excavated : and in de-
ciding in what cases it is proper to use it, there is

need of careful discrimination as to the tooth's struct-
ure and density; for injurious results have some-
times followed its application, notwithstanding the
utmost care; if it has once been absorbed by the
dentine antidotes will avail nothing. On the whole,
therefore, it is better to refrain from its use altogether
in the treatment of sensitive dentine.
Alkaline caustics have been, to some extent, used
for the treatment of this affection. A preparation

made after the following formula, is said to relieve