Copy 1, Volume 1

The study of medicine. Improved from the author's manuscripts, and by reference to the latest advances in physiology, pathology, and practice / [John Mason Good].

  • John Mason Good
Date:
1834
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The study of medicine. Improved from the author's manuscripts, and by reference to the latest advances in physiology, pathology, and practice / [John Mason Good]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    | pressure of the teeth in the gums; and the degree of irritation Gew. T. depends upon the peculiar temperament of the child. [But, in Sexe. I. addition to this circumstance, it may be stated as a general fact, phate that, the greater the number of teeth coming forward simultaneously, yout, the greater the risk of indisposition; and every man of experience Milk teeth- knows that those children which cut their teeth late, usually ing. suffer least.] As the teeth push forward, the superincumbent gum wastes in consequence of absorption, and is at last cut through, and the tooth makes it appearance. This pressure is not, however, uniformly exerted through the whole course of teething, but is divided into distinct periods or stages; as though the vital or instinctive pfinciple, which is what we mean by nature, becomes exhausted bya certain extent of action, and then requires rest and a state of intermission. The first active stage of teething is First stage; usually about the third or fourth month of infancy ; and constitutes °F breeding what is called breeding the teeth, or the production of their bone “¢ teetb- from the pulpy rudiment, buried in the gum, and formed during foetal life, which at the same time shoots downwards, and gives to every tooth a neck and fang. The first and most usual symptom of this change, is the looseness with which the infant grasps the nipple, and the frequency with which it lets go its* hold, accom- panied with fretfulness and crying, and succeeded by a copious discharge of saliva, the salivary glands partaking of the irritation of the gums. Next, the uneasiness of the gums is found to be relieved by the pressure of any hard substance upon them which benumbs their excited sensibility ; and hence the child is pleased with having its gums rubbed with the fingers, a coral, ora gold ring. This last is perhaps the oldest method, and it may be the best : for the experiments of Dr. Chrestien, of Montpellier, who has of late endeavoured to revive the old preparations of gold as a part of the materia medica, show sufficiently that this metal, in very slight quantities of some of its simplest forms, is peculiarly active, and a powerful exciter of those secretions which have a tendency to diminish irritation and subdue inflammatory action. He _ has proved before a committee of the Royal Academy of Sciences at Paris, that friction of the tongue and gums with not more than four grains of powder of gold produces sometimes a copious ptyalism, sometimes abundant alvine evacuations, and sometimes profuse perspiration.* Friction by the finger or any other means is sometimes condemned, as likely to render the gum callous, and con- sequently more difficult to be cut through; but, so far as I have observed, this idea is not supported by facts. In many respects, M. Lallemand has since confirmed Dr. Chrestien’s observations.+ * Recherches et Obs. sur les Effets des Préparations d’Or. 8vo. Paris. + Journ. Générale des Sciences Médicales, Aotit, 1822. Rousseau,. in his Emilius, objects to rubbing the gums with hard substances, and refers to the instinct of other animals, which leads them to exercise their budding teeth, not on bones or stones, but softer substances. In accordance with this view, a stick of marsh mallows, or of liquorice root, a piece of wax candle, or a crust of bread has been recommended, instead of coral; and in France, they often dip the substance in honey, or a-sweet decoction of barley. In some parts of Germany, children are frequently seen sucking a small bag, containing a mixture of sugar and spices, which is given to them whenever they are fretful. By keeping them quiet, the nurse is saved trouble ; but the derangement of the stomach, likely to Dg
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