when worms torment the infant, the means suggested under that article, should be speedily adopted.—On this occasion, we deem it our duty, in the strongest terms to caution parents against the use of laudanum, and other composing medicines, especially when the bowels are obstructed.
With respect to the diseases of the teeth, we shall, in this place, mention only such as occur more frequently, and which are, by proper attention, or by external applications, easily removed.—From a view of the nature and formation of the teeth, it must be evident, that whatever may tend to remove the enamel, for instance, acrid dentifrices and tinctures, hard metallic tooth-picks, sudden changes from heat to cold (especially in taking food), by exposing the nerve, cannot fail to produce the tooth-ach; and, in the course of time, a decay of the bone itself. There are even instances, where such corruption, unless timely checked, has extended its influence to the jaw-bone. Nothing, however, contributes to injure them more certainly than uncleanliness; by which a kind of tartar is generated, that settles on the teeth, and separates them from the gums: thus, the air and the food coming into immediate contact with the bony substance, will prove a never-failing source of pain and distress.
Cure:—As it would be a vain attempt to point out any specific, by which the tooth-ach can be removed, we shall recommend only such remedies as are adapted to the several causes, from which it may originate.—If the patient be of a plethoric habit, or the gums be considerably inflamed, recourse should be had to bleeding, particularly by leeches and cupping-glasses, applied contiguously to the part affected: next, blisters behind the ears, or on the nape of the neck, will be found of service.—Dr. Cullen recommends vitriolic æther to be dropped on the cheek, and to hold the hand on the part, till that volatile liquor be evaporated. Should, however, the pain still continue, without intermission, a few drops of laudanum on cotton, laid on the tooth, will sometimes afford relief. Where the bone is hollow, and decayed, it will be advisable either to have it drawn by an able dentist, or to resort to such substances as destroy the nerve: the latter object may be effected by a careful application of the strong mineral acids, juniper-oil, or by a red-hot wire; but this operation, which has frequently produced the desired effect, ought never to be entrusted to an unskilful person.—As the tooth-ach is frequently induced by cold, and attended with symptoms of Catarrh, it will in such cases be requisite to follow the directions given in that article.—This complaint, likewise, often proceeds from affections or debility of the stomach; a source which may be ascertained by the symptoms of indigestion, such as loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and head-ach, with this peculiar circumstance, that the pain generally returns at regular periods. In such case, relief can only be expected from a proper use of emetics, and mild aperients, succeeded by a judicious course of the Peruvian bark, and similar tonics.
Another source of these affections, is an irregular disposition, or arrangement, especially of the front-teeth, and mostly in the
