The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1827-08-29

ExcIsIoS OF TEETH. The following re-
marks are copied from Mr. Fay's COM
munication on this subject to the Society OF
Arts" In the centre of every tooth is
little cavity, in which is expanded nervous
pulp, forming the principal seat of sensa-
ton in that organ; the nervous twigs pass
through the roots of the teeth by very minute
passages into this cavity where they are
spread out. The base of this cavity is
situated little above the level of the neck
of the tooth, and it struck me that when
carries had extended so far as to expose
this uerVUuo matter to tla rarinilS agencies
from which in the healthy state OF the parts,
it is protected, it would be easy to remove
that part of the tooth containing the cavity,
the seat of the pain, and thus allow the
sound roots to remain In their sockets I'M
disturbed, to support the adjoining teeth;
as it is notorious fact that the entire re-
noval of one tooth, however easily per
formed, causes the adjoining ones to be-
come prematurely loose, and ultimately to
fall out, in consequence Principally OF the
absorption of the alveolor process. Mi
nutely to describe how this happens would
occupy too much space, and L mention 1t
merely as a well known fact, to show the
value of allowing the root or tangs OF a
tooth to remain. This operation | have
called the operation Of ercision, and re-
commend it as most valuable substitute
for the extraction of the teeth in the ma
iority of cases of carries; but by no means
to supersede it altogether, as there are
and must ever be cases requiring the
entire extraction of the teeth, whenld disease
has proceeded beyond certain point, as
pr hn Ifu
which have cursorily described; or when
the jaw itself is diseased.
'The instruments employed by me in
this operation are forceps accurately fitted,
like those for extraction, to the necks of
the teeth, but having fine well-tempered
cutting edges; these edges must be care
fully applied on the necks of the teeth as
CLOSE to the gums as possible, taking care
to keep the edges parallel to the edges of
the gums, which are to be depressed
little with the inferior suface of the blades
of the forceps, so as to bring the cutting
edges fairly beneath the enamel, which in
the adult is the criterion of being below the
common cavity of the tooth. Then, with
gradual application of pressure on the ham
dies of the forceps, the tooth is in an
instant snapped off at the neck, and the
common cavity, the seat of pain is thus re-
moved, leaving the patient painless bony
surface for mastication, firm prop for the |
support of the adjoining teeth and basis
for an artificial tooth if it should be requir-
ed. may mention here fact never be-
fore hoticed, namely, that the openings by |
which the minute canals terminate in the |
common cavity, become, soon after the ex-
cision of the. crown, plugged up nth bony
matter, which thus affords a permanent |
protection to the interior of the stump, and
presents continuous and firm surface
Tor after-life. In addition to these advanta-
ges, the operation is performed even on the
largest teeth in moment, and consequent
ly, al great saving of suffering, which
should be the grand object of all sound
surgery" -1rGns. Soc. .Arts, xiv. 20.
Coop MaSNERs While the late Mr.. Gif.
ford, editor of the Quarterly Review was at
Ashburton, he contracted an acquaintance with
n family of that place consisting Of females
somewhat advanced in age. On one occasion.
he ventured on the perilous exploit of drinking
tea with these elderly ladies'. After having
demolished his usual allowance Of tea he
found in spite Of his remonstrance to the con-
trary, that his hostess would by no means suf.
Ter him to give up, but persisted in making
INN drink most incredible quantity. "At
last, said Clifford in telling the story, " being
really overiiowed with tea, l put down nv
fourteenth cup, and exclaimed with an air Of
resolution, {" neither can nor will drink anv
more" The hostess then, seeing she had
forced more down my throat than liked. he.
gan toapologise, and added, " but dear MIR. cir.
ford, as. you didn't pat your spoon across qi0ur
ran, | supposed your retusals were nothing but