278 INFLAMMATION IN THE TISSUES OF 



The four lower incisors were very loose and in- 

 tensely sensitive, tlie gum. was very red, much 

 swollen, and extremely painful, the submaxilliary 

 glands were enlarged. The pulse quick and irrita- 

 ble. Tongue covered with a brown fur. No local 

 exciting cause present. The patient could not 

 remember having received any blow on the mouth. 

 I ordered two leeches to the part, and two pills, 

 composed of blue pill, colocynth, and henbane, at 

 bedtime. 



March 5. — No relief; the leeches did their duty 

 well, and the medicine acted freely. My patient 

 informs me to-day that he now remembers 

 receiving a violent blow on the mouth about a 

 month ago from his horse's head while riding, 

 which gave him at the time much pain, but this 

 had so entirely subsided that he could not imagine 

 it had anything to do with his present attack. I 

 found my patient belonged to a rheumatic family, 

 and that he himself was frequently subject to 

 rheumatism; I therefore thought iodine would 

 be likely to be useful, for the exhibition of which 

 tny previous treatment had well prepared the way. 

 I ordered the iodide of sodium, with bicarbonate 

 of soda, in five-grain doses, twice a day. 



March 9th.— My patient informs me to-day that 

 he has experienced marked relief After he had 

 taken the second dose of the iodide, his sleep 

 was restored. To-day I find his teeth much 

 firmer, and that they will bear to be fingered with- 



