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].

  • Good, John Mason, 1764-1827
Date:
1834
Catalogue details

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.

    91/784 (page 37)
    mouth of the child, as well as great inconvenience to the mother * : and he recommends, accordingly, that they may be immediately extracted. Speaking generally, this account may be correct; but, as there are instances in which teeth of this premature growth possess fangs, and are perfect, it is better to wait before we extract them till some inconvenience arises which may call for their removal. It is somewhat singular, that the natural growth of the first set of teeth does not seem to be varied, at least according to any general rule, by the degree of strength of the infant ; for weakly children often cut their teeth even more rapidly than those in robust health, though the reverse is perhaps more generally the case; and hence the stimulus of irritation in the process of denti- tion very nearly keeps pace with that of healthy vigour. At this time the gum is often extremely sensible, and, instead of being eased by the pressure of a hard substance, cannot endure the slightest touch. At the base, it is florid and distended, but paler and whiter at the edge or upper part, and when the tooth is on the point of protrusion, seems covered with a flat and whitish blister. The other symptoms are a repetition of those just described, with a scabby eruption about the lips or head, erythematic in- flammation behind the ears, and occasionally spasmodic movements of the mouth and jaws, convulsions, or epilepsy. The grand ‘point is here to moderate the local irritation. A diarrhoea, or full discharge of saliva, does this naturally, and hence these are favourable symptoms. And, if the former be too violent, or accompanied with griping, it should be merely corrected by magnesia or prepared chalk, [or rhubarb combined with ipecacuanha, or hydrargyrum cum creta. If the evacuations are fetid, blackish, or very pale, an occasional dose of calomel, to improve the intes- tinal secretion, should be given. In particularly obstinate cases, the cautious use of the compound powder of ipecacuanha, with - minute doses of calomel, is sometimes adopted. If the milk seem to disagree, the nurse must be changed, and beef-tea, rice-milk, and arrow-root given. In many cases, small doses of quinine are useful auxiliaries; but since a moderately lax state of the bowels lessens the risk of worse consequences from dentition, the prac- titioner should not be in too much haste to check the evacuations ; and probably, as Dr. Joy has observed, it should never be done, so long as the appetite, sleep, and strength continue unaffected.] If the bowels be confined, we must employ cooling laxatives; and the discharge of a small quantity of blood from the gums in the first stage, by lancing them, will often afford effectual relief. If the symptoms of oppression or spasmodic action be severe or incumbent, as drowsiness, difficulty of breathing, stertor, or irregular motion of the jaws, antimonial emetics and leeches should be had recourse to, and occasionally repeated ; after which, blistering will be found useful behind the ears, or on the back. And when the bowels have been thoroughly emptied, the use of anodynes may be al- lowed, and will generally prove highly serviceable ; though they should be employed with great judgment, and never intrusted to nurses. Hyoscyamus, in most of its forms, has often succeeded - * Hist. of the, Teeth, p- 6. pd 3 Gen. I. Sprc. I a O. Denti- tionis Lac- tentium. Milk teethe ing. Symptoms of irrita- tion. General | treatment.