THE TREATMENT OF DISEASES. 



THROAT, DISEASES OF : 



See QUINSY, INFLAMMATORY SORE THROAT, p. 464. 

 RELAXED SORE THROAT, p. 467. 

 SORE THROAT (CLERGYMAN'S), p. 513. 

 SORE THROAT (ORDINARY), p. 515. 



TONSILLITIS (see QUINSY, p. 464X 



TOOTHACHE (ODONTALGLA.). 



Speaking generally, we may say that decay is the most common predisposing 

 cause of toothache, and that sudden changes of temperature, the application of 

 irritants, and general bad health are the most frequent exciting causes. Let us take, 

 for example, an ordinary case of toothache, in which the pulp of the tooth becomes 

 inflamed. In the first place a hole is discovered in the tooth, which may have 

 resulted from decay or from some mechanical injury. Food and other matters 

 collect in the aperture, and are from time to time removed. Their presence at first 

 gives rise to no trouble, but after a while certain irritants, such as sugar, or salt, or 

 acid matters, when lodged in the tooth occasion considerable inconvenience, which 

 ultimately amounts to positive pain. The removal of the irritating matter is soon 

 followed by the restoration of comfort. This state of things may go on for some 

 time, but sooner or later the pain, instead of passing off, steadily increases, assumes 

 a throbbing character, becomes still more acute, and extends to the neighbouring 

 teeth and the side of the face, the faulty tooth forming the centre of its intensity. 

 After the lapse of some hours the pain usually subsides, to return again on the 

 -slightest provocation. This is a story we fear is only too familiar to many of 

 our readers. 



Like all other pain, toothache is more or less intermittent ; it is seldom that it 

 is perfectly continuous, or if it be so it will vary greatly in intensity at different 

 times. The character of the pain, as well as its severity, is greatly affected by the 

 general condition of the patient. A low condition of bodily vigour, whether 

 produced by over-fatigue, prolonged abstinence from food, or other cause, will tend 

 to produce pain of a diffused rather than of a localised character, and will markedly 

 increase its severity. Many kinds of toothache temporarily take their departure 

 when the system is thoroughly supported, as after breakfast or dinner. 



Very frequently, in addition to the pain, the tooth is exquisitely tender, and 

 sometimes it feels as if it were longer than it ought to be. 



It is, however, not every case of toothache which is dependent on, or accom- 

 panied by, decay. Mere malposition of a tooth will often give rise to the most 

 intense suffering. The wisdom teeth, when they are making their way through the 

 gum, often cause severe pain, even when there is ample room for them to take their 

 place. Pain which is in reality due to the wisdom teeth is not unfrequently 

 felt at a spot further forward in the mouth, the patient referring to some other tooth 

 as the seat of his suffering. 



