Notes on materia medica : pharmacology and therapeutics for dental students and practitioners / by Douglas Gabell and Harold Austen.

  • Gabell, Douglas (Douglas Phillimore)
Date:
1914
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Notes on materia medica : pharmacology and therapeutics for dental students and practitioners / by Douglas Gabell and Harold Austen. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    Caustics. i«> For the destruction of new gi'owths and polypi of the gum, caustics are very inferior to the knife, because :— 1. It is difficult to accimitely control the amount of tissue acted upon. 2. A mass of dead tissue is left behind which is very likely to become septic and set up inflammation and secondary haemorrhage. Caustics should therefore never be employed to remove epulides, but for the removal of polypi of the gum they have the advantage that they can more readily reach the part, and cause less immediate haemorrhage. Caustics, by destroying the vitality of dentinal fibrils, can prevent the transmission of sensation, and thus act as obtundents. Their employment in this capacity is not, however, free from risk of irrita- tion or death of the pulp. In the selection of a caustic the following points, should be considered :— 1. The method of its action. 2. The depth to which it will penetrate. 8. The amount of pain it will cause. 4. The prol)a])ility of keeping the slough aseptic. ij. Any staining action that may occur. For the destruction of the dental pulp, without an antesthetic, clieniical caustics are usually the least, painful metliod. The degree of penetration of a caustic will depend upon :— 1. Its volatility and solubility. 2. Its power of absorbing water from the tissues.