94 CASE OF ULCERATION. 



the soft parts. This was extracted with a lever, 

 and the first and second lower molares being 

 diseased, were also removed. After the bleeding 

 (which was considerable) had ceased, chloride of 

 zinc was freely applied to the whole of the ulcer- 

 ated surface, and the patient was recommended 

 to become an in-patient of St. Bartholomew's 

 Hospital, where she remained seven weeks, and 

 her health was much improved by generous diet 

 and tonic medicines. From the contraction of the 

 cicatrices, the jaws became again locked ; but by 

 the daily use of the mouth- speculum which has 

 lately been exhibited to the Society, sufficient 

 motion has been obtained for all useful purposes. 

 The points of practice connected with the case 

 are — 1st, the importance of a careful diagnosis ; 

 2ndly, the danger of refusing to operate on 

 account of inflammation of the soft parts, or any 

 pain or difficulty experienced in separating the 

 jaws. Had a superficial examination been made, 

 the wisdom tooth would probably have escaped 

 notice, and the diseased molar teeth of the lower 

 jaw might have been mistaken for the real cause 

 of the mischief. If the operation had been 

 delayed, in all probability the ulceration (which 

 had been rapid in its progress) would in a very 

 short time have reached the carotid artery through 

 the pharynx. 



The patient was then brought in and examined 

 by various members. 



