378 METHOD OF TEEATING THE DENTAL PULP 



tually become calcified, yet this process, as in the 

 case of teeth worn down by mastication, is a 

 healthy process ; and as it takes place very gradu- 

 ally, provision is doubtless made by an increased 

 supply of blood through the periosteal vessels for 

 the loss by the nutrient vessels. 



My practice does not, I apprehend, differ much 

 from that adopted by other dentists ; only I, per- 

 haps, almost universally pursue a plan which all 

 occasionally are in the habit of employing. 



The solution of tannin in ether used is a very 

 strong one ; it is prepared by dissolving as much 

 tannin in ether as this solvent will take up in the 

 cold, filtering the fluid and allowing a portion of 

 the ether to evaporate at the ordinary tempera- 

 ture of the atmosphere. A piece of cotton-wool 

 immersed in this fluid may be placed under a 

 mastic stopping, should you be able to see your 

 patient in about a week ; or under gutta percha 

 should a longer period be desired. But I have 

 generally obtained the best results from the 

 patients applying the solution themselves, twice, 

 or, if possible, three times a day ; for though the 

 fluids of the mouth must soon dissolve it out of 

 the cotton, yet I beheve it is better than allowing 

 the wool saturated with the discharge to remain 

 long in the cavity of the tooth.. 



Patients at first usually complain of the exces- 

 sive bitterness of this application, but soon seem 

 to get accustomed to it, and, in some eases, even 



