526 THK TREATMENT OF DISEASES. 



Grey powder proves useful in many forms of toothache, and is iv^arded 

 by many as one of the best remedies for this complaint. It is used for 

 toothache resulting from a decayed tooth. It proves of most value when the} 

 pain is gnawing, tearing, or boring in character, and is aggravated by eating, 

 and also at night in bed, but is temporarily relieved by cold water. It is of 

 value when the pain affects the entire side of the face extending upwards to 

 the head, and backwards to the ears. It is especially indicated when the 

 toothache is accompanied by an increased flow of saliva, and by profuse 

 perspiration in bed, which fails to afford relief. One of the "sugar and grey" 

 powders (Pr. 71) should be given every ten minutes for an hour. In many 

 cases it is a good plan to introduce a small quantity of grey powder, of course 

 not mixed with sugar, into the hollow of the decayed tooth. 



Aconite is useful in toothache arising from cold. It is especially indicated 

 when the pain is sharp and stinging, and is relieved by cold water. This form 

 of toothache is usually accompanied by heat of the face and chilliness. A 

 drop of the tincture of aconite, or a tea-spoonful of the aconite mixture (Pr. 38), 

 should be taken every ten minutes. This may be advantageously combined 

 with the local application of a few drops of the tincture on cotton wool. 



Belladonna is found to do best when there are shooting, throbbing pains 

 affecting several teeth on one side, so that it is impossible to say exactly which 

 tooth it is that is aching. This form of toothache not unfrequently shifts 

 from place to place, and it is usually increased by both hot and cold applica 

 It is often accompanied by determination of blood to the head, flushed 

 excessive sensitiveness to external impression .-, such as noise or light, and by 

 dryness of the mouth, and mental confusion. A drop of the tincture of 

 belladonna, or a tea-spoonful of the belladonna mixture (Pr. 39), should be taken 

 every ten minutes. 



Arsenic is used when the pain is grinding in character, when it is increased 

 by touching the affected tooth, or by lying on the painful side. This form of 

 toothache is usually increased by rest and by cold, but is relieved by moving 

 about, and by the application of warmth. Arsenic is also indicated when the 

 pains are jerking in character, or when they occur chiefly, or are much aggravated, 

 at night. It usually proves of benefit when the sufferer is much exhausted 

 by the pain. A small tea-spoonful of the mixture (Pr. 40) should be taken 

 every ten minutes for an hour. 



Bryony is recommended when the pain is of a screwing character, when it 

 is worse from warmth, is momentarily relieved by cold water, and more perma- 

 nently by walking in the open air. A tea-spoonful of the mixture (Pr. 49) 

 should be taken every ten minutes. 



Nux vomica is found to be useful for darting pain in the teeth, and for 

 toothache of a boring or gnawing character, especially when it comes 011 after 

 dinner. A drop of the tincture of nux vomica, or a tea-spoonful of the nux 

 "vomica mixture (Pr. 44), may be taken every ten minutes for an hour. 



Phosphorus should be given for tearing, shooting pains, worse in the open 

 air, or after taking warm food. It is especially indicated when, in addition to 



