THE MOUTH, AND ITS TREATMENT. 287 



uncommonly showing itself shortly after iodide of 

 potassium has been taken. I believe this irrita- 

 tion due to the decomposition of the iodide by the 

 acid in the stomach, by which pure iodine is set 

 free, a salt we all know to be most irritating, and 

 in some cases even dangerous. The presence of 

 the alkali prevents this decomposition, and thus 

 the mischief is avoided. 



In three cases I have found unfavourable effects 

 produced by the exhibition of the iodide. The 

 gouty case cited above is one, where I have no 

 doubt ptyalism would have quickly followed a 

 continued use of the medicine ; in this case, 

 however, it had accomplished the object for which 

 it was given before such symptoms became mani- 

 fest. In another case it appeared to produce 

 headache and sleeplessness, with some nausea. 

 And in the third case, there was a good deal of 

 constriction and irritation about the top of the 

 throat. Knowing that such results sometimes, 

 though very rarely follow, I always warn my 

 patients to discontinue the medicine at once, and 

 let me see them, if any of these symptoms appear. 



I do not wish to be understood as saying that 

 cases do not often come under our notice in which 

 extraction is the proper and only treatment that 

 can be employed with, any prospect of success; 

 such, for instance, are those cases where, from long- 

 continued suppuration, the alveolar process has 

 become absorbed, and the attachment of the tooth 



