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MATERIALS FOR FILLING. 95

by the inventor of this preparation ; though it is pre-
sumed that one of these materials alone, namely, pul-
verized quartz, would be found entirely sufficient,
since it is capable, by itself, of quite as much as is
attained by all together. The addition of gold or
platinum filings has been recommended ; but no
advantage is thus gained. It was at first claimed for
this material that it would serve for permanent fill-

ings ; but it was soon demonstrated to be insufficient.
It was supposed, also, that it might be employed for
partial fillings in large cavities, which could be com-
pleted with gold; but for this, too, it was found
impracticable, since it did not make a sufficiently firm
foundation.
This preparation is applied in the same manner as

simple gutta-percha, being warmed on a porcelain or
metal slab over a spirit-lamp till sufficiently soft, and
then packed into the cavity. It cannot be employed
in the form of solution, nor should it be softened in
boiling water. It may be conveniently prepared by
dissolving the gutta-percha in chloroform to almost
a pasty consistence, then adding the mineral sub-
stances, and putting it into a vessel suitable for the
evaporation of the chloroform. It should be made so

thick, that the silex would not fall to the bottom.
When Hill's stopping or gutta-percha is used, as soon
as the cavity is filled, an instrument with the end