528 THE TREATMENT OF DISEASES. 



toothache unaffected. This, of course, is an advantage by no means to be despised, 

 for neuralgia is usually a much more obstinate complaint than toothache. Ten-drop 

 doses of the tincture may be taken every hour for three or four hours, or Pr. 4 1 

 may be employed. 



Another excellent remedy for neuralgia arising from a decayed tooth is croton 

 chloral. It should be given dissolved in water in five-grain doses every four hours. 



When toothache resists every other means of treatment we may have to resort 

 to a hypodermic injection of morphia, but this is seldom necessary. 



Galvanism is occasionally employed in toothache. One pole is applied to the 

 neck and the other is placed in contact with the painful tooth, a gentle continuous 

 current being passed for two or three minutes. It does not always prove successful. 



In the majority of cases in which a tooth is decayed a dentist should be con- 

 sulted respecting the advisability of having it stopped. When the patient is so 

 situated that he cannot obtain professional aid he may himself clean out the cavity 

 and then fill it with white wax or prepared gutta percha. Of course, in many cases, 

 where the decay is extensive, the only remedy will be extraction. 



The importance of paying proper attention to the teeth cannot be over-estimated. 

 One great cause of the decay of the teeth is the presence of bits of food, which stick 

 between the teeth and then soften and ferment in the heat and moisture of the mouth, 

 and become acrid and injure the enamel. The enamel is at first slightly discoloured 

 at one point, then it gets soft, and eventually a little hole forms in it, which goes on 

 enlarging and increasing until the deeper structures are involved and the pulp is 

 exposed. Very often the secretions of the mouth mixed with the food dry 011 the 

 teeth and between them, and form the so-called tartar, which is a powerful agent in 

 the production of decay. The only way to guard against these dangers is to keep 

 the teeth perfectly clean. They should never on any account be brushed less than 

 twice a day. Brushing the teeth in the morning, and in the morning only, is not 

 enough. When possible they should be brushed after every meal, especially when 

 animal food has been taken. The avocations of many people, which take them from 

 their homes, may not allow tKem to brush their teeth after every meal, but they 

 can at all events thoroughly wash out the mouth with cold water, and thus remove 

 most of the food which would otherwise adhere. The idea that frequently brushing 

 the teeth tends to lacerate the gums and separates them from the teeth is erroneous. 

 The oftener they are brushed the better, provided always that a moderately soft 

 brush be used. The teeth should, of course, be cleaned inside and out; many 

 people seem to think that as long as they clean those teeth or those parts of the 

 teeth which are seen, they have done all that is necessary. The use of some simple 

 tooth-powder is to be commended. When there is a tendency to decay tincture of 

 myrrh often proves of much value. 



The habit of taking very hot substances into the mouth should be avoided, as the 

 heat may crack the enamel. On the other hand, the practice of sucking ice and 

 subjecting them to the other extreme of temperature is equally to be deprecated. 

 No one who has the slightest respect for his teeth would use them as nut-crackers. 

 Smoking, but more especially chewing, tobacco is bad for the teeth. It should be 

 remembered that the preservation of the teeth is in a great measure dependent on 



