Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1867-08-15
For the Gallipolis Journal.
Aneaesthetics in General and
Special Surgery.

fine myself mostly to the specialit,
of Dental Surgery.
At present the extraction of teetl
is more frequently required than ar,
all other surgical operations com
bined. In the present condition o
the race, the amount of suffering di
rectly resulting from morbid denti
ton and diseased dental organs, i:
so great and its character so severe
that simply to think of it is appall
, ing. The woeful countenance, the
piteous wall, the convulsive shudder
the stupor, and death of the little
babe, are sad comments on the con,
dition of fallen man. "Who did
sin-this man or his parents, that he
was born blind?" is melancholy
query propounded by Him who spake
as man never spoke.
The light of science corroborates
the teaching of inspiration that the
iniquities of the father be visited up
on the child.
1t is then to be expected that for
several generations yet to come, de-
fective teeth will be found, and some
so defective that restoration to health
will not be practicable. And as
teeth diseased beyond a slight NOR
bidity are absolutely intolerable, at
least occasional extraction will be
indicated and will even be necessary,
and if necessary-pain or no pain
''that's the question"
And however lightly some may re-
gard it, the extraction Of tooth IS
a severe operation. 1t is painful,
and produces a decided shock. The
teeth are, mechanically considered,
very firmly attached to the organisa-
tior. The vital connection is also
very decided. | have known men
who neither moaned nor murmured
at being mangled by bullets, who,
nevertheless, shriehed and trembled
from the pain of ordinary tooth
extraction. In most cases, the ex-
traction of a dozen teeth is as severe
as the amputation of an arm, and the
consequences are less serious, only
on account of the difference In the
structure and vitality of the parts
mutilated. The surgeon who would,
under ordinary circumstances, ampu-
tate an arm without resorting to
aneaesthesia, would be guilty of NAL
practice. Is the dental surgeon then,
to be criticised and condemned for
a similar resort in an operation equal
ly severe? or because his operation
is divisible, must he reduce the vi
tallty of his patient by series of
dozen painful operations with as many
nervous shocks, to say nothing of
the mental anguish protracted
through the several intervals? Such
surgery is but little if at all better
than that of the boy who cut off the
dogs tail an inch at time, regard
ing the removal Of the entire organ
at once, as quite too severe. Teeth
extracted without pain," is regarded
by some as baneful announcement
to afflicted humanity. Even with
pain, far too many teeth are extract
ed, say they; and no honest we'll
informed man will dispute this. But
II this is meant as an argument |
against painless extraction, then it
proves too much. The improved |
forceps must be thrown aside and the
barbarous turnkey resumed, men of
science and skill must cease to ope
rate and leave it to a merciless pack
of pretending jackals that may be
found in nearly every community,
pluming themselves on their handi-
craft and their success in deceiving
the public; avering that they can
"pull teeth, DC, just as good as any
one" But l will not digress to give
such their just dues. Suffice it to
say, that by their management, the
operation might be made far more
terrible than ever, and even then, it
is probable that teeth would be ex-
tracted that ought to be saved. If
sound, here the argument is equally
valid in general, aneaesthesia must
be abandoned, for too much cutting
is done. Patients will insist on hav-
ing organs removed that might be
saved. AS an admirer of human Or
ganism III all its integrity, l yield to
no one. l never remove an organ or
mutilate the system in any way with
put feeling of sadness. If any
one is more conscious than l, that
thousands of teeth are daily sacri-
iced on the affairs of ayarice and ig-
norance, 1 Will sit at his feet and
listen to his recitals, as child lis ,
,ens to the tale of midnight murder /
But as long as any mfutilation is nee !
sssary, let it be painless, whenever /
practicable. know it is urged by :
some that pain is blessing, certain {
y not a blessing per Sc III its es- !
'ence. Though ignorant of what t
'reedom from pain is, my faith takes '
lold of the promise-"there remain. +
,th rest for the people of God," 5
lot a pain; that is not reserved for {
hem, as 1t would be if a blessing.
The removal of Adams rib took
,lace while he was in an aneaesthetic I
tate, and it is wonder that surgery {
las been SO slow to take the hint, {
egitimately deduciable from this 6
act. 1t is to be hoped the day is
lot far distant when all surgical ope- J
ations will be painless. W. Il
Pretty SMARr-A little girl was