134 ON CAPPING THE EXPOSED PULP. 



two methods the operator will seldom fail of attain- 

 ing complete success. 



Mr. Bell recommends " the continued application 

 of a moderate stimulus, such as alcohol, spirits of 

 camphor, a solution of nitrate of silver, &c.," to the 

 exposed pulp, " till considerable pressure no longer 

 occasions pain;" but I do not remember that he 

 speaks of protecting the pulp from the contact of the 

 filling by any mechanical means. 



Mr. Tomes gives minute and excellent directions 

 for the treatment of the exposed pulp and its res- 

 toration to health, but I am not aware that he 

 mentions the operation of capping or otherwise pro- 

 tecting it, in the final operation of filling the tooth. 



Dr. Harris during five years treated 317 teeth 

 in which the lining membrane was exposed. He 

 subsequently saw 220 of these, of which 202 

 succeeded (about eleven in twelve). He observes, 

 however, that some of these may not have had a 

 sufficiently long trial to allow of their being con- 

 sidered permanently successful. According to his 

 experience the direct application of any metallic 

 substance to the exposed pulp or lining membrane 

 is always followed by inflammation of those tissues, 

 and in filling the tooth, instead of using a cap, he 

 introduces the gold in such a manner, as, by form- 

 ing an arch over the pulp, to leave a vacant space 

 immediately around it. 



Dr. Foster filled the concave side of the cap with 

 Hill's vegetable stopping, taking care to preserve 



