The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-01-13
DAILY PRESS,
PORTLAND.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 1911.
Red Rubber.

Is red rubber Injurious to be worn as base
for artificial teeth?
This is question of very great interest,"
After carefully reading the various articles
that have of late appeared in the Daily PRESS
relating to this subject, and comparing them
with the unbiased opinions of the Oldest and
most experienced dentists throughout the
country, in connection with my own use of
this composition, fear that would fail in
my duty if l did not speak.
/ have purchased no "axe;" neither am
contendDg Tor one; therefore the nameess
Portland dentist need have no fears of being
called upon to turn.
;, truth is what l am seeking for. Let us
then look at this subject calmly, manfully,
and carefully weigh all the evidence in favor
OF this composition with all that can be said
against IT'S use as base upon which to set ar
tificial teeth, and then look well to ii that by
It's use we do not produce worse diseases than
we are expected to cure and prevent bv re-
moving badly decayed teeth and supplying
our patients with artificial sets on this ma.
terial.
In discussing the merits and demerits of
this composition it may be well in the onset
to look at the following very important facts,
viz: ,.--.- al. ..
1st, That mercury is capable of finding its
way into the human system by any channel
which one may feel disposed to introduce it.
Inhaled in fumes it passes readily into the
blood by the pulmonic circuit. introduced in.
to the stomach it is quickly taken up by the
absorbent vessels. Rubbed into the skin it
makes its way into the soft tissues, ard then
either by the lynphatic vessels or veins enters,
though more slowly perhaps than by either of
the other ways, the bloods highway.
20, All the soluble preparations of mercu-
ry invariably excite mercurial action when
long kept in contact with any part OF the hu-
man system.
Some years ago man was in the habit of
wearing little leathern bag hanging upon his
breast, containing few drachms of mercury
as protection against vermIn and the itch,
He became affected with violent salvation,
which his attending physician could not ac-
count for. He finally died, when this bag of
mercury was found attached to his neck.
Sd, There is great difference between dif-
ferent constitutions as regards the susceptible
ity to the action OF mercurial preparations.
Very small doses produce marked effects upon
person whose nervous system is much af-
fected. Such persons have been salivated by
one or two doses OF the mildest preparation.
No larger amount than fifteen grains of blue
pill given three successive nights, have excit
ed salvation, extensive liberation of the
throat, extoliation of the lower jaw and
death. On the other hand it is equally true
that some constitutions resist its action so as
hardly to appear capable of salvation at all.
4th, The condition OF the system during
the time when it is affected by mercurial
poison has not yet been sufficiently studied be-
yond the symptoms which are excited. 1t Is
however known that the blood looses its pow
er OF healthy coasulation. takes on a fetid
smell, and new compounds are usually formed
in it. The tissues often become softeDed and
hemOrrhage from them is no uncommon occur
renee. liberation on the surface of the mu-
cous membrane IS also an accompaniment
The partially disintecrated and poisoned
blood, as it bathes the tissues of the body, in
jects the vascular structures and refuses nu-
triton to those of fibrous or vascular build;
hence the spoDgy parts, as the gums, swell
and the action OF the salivary glands become
greatly excited; the bones are affected with
pain and all the fibrous structures are subject
ed to low and spurious infammatory pro-
cess, thus showing that it is an active poison
to the human organization after it has once
entered the great highway of life.
find by referring to Deans Medical Juris-
prudence, that mention is therein made of
globuIes of mercury being found lying on the
oshyoides, laryngeal cartilages sternum and
tibia of a person who had undergone mer.
curial course recently before death. l remem.
Der OF he ring the late Professor Cleaveland
mention the fact, when was attending med.
ical lectures at Bowdoin College, that metallic
mercury had been detected after death in the
blood and bile, and also that it had been Oh.
tanned by boiling the bones of persons, who
when in life had been subjects of mercuria
treatment. Thus proving that after it has
been introduced into the system, it does moi
pass out OF it, like other poisons, but there re-
mains ever ready when aroused into action tC
send forth its poisonous stings.
In view of all these facts may we not cal
the equestion before us, one of deep inter
est TO the dnrtal profession, and also one O
vast Importance to the tens Of thousands O
persons who are now we airing teeth fitted up
on this composition which we call red rubber
in every pound of which is one and one quar-
ter pounds OF vermiion.
The question before us, then is, can any o
the mercury which is combined with sulphur
to make the vermillion be set free by ths ac
tion of the ingesta and the secretion of tn,
mouth Sc as to effect the health of the per
sons wearing it3as base for artificial teeth.
The Portland dentist thought to forever set
| tie this question, by introducing into his frs
| article, the statement made by DIR. Kelp, VIII
claims to have examined eleven hundre
mouths. But he very grandly missed hi
mark, from the fact that he did not deem
advisable to tell US that DR.. Kelp was employ
ed by the Dental Vulcanite Company, an
was therefore bound to make out as pausibl
report as possible in favor of the use of rub
Der.
In his communication of the 18th ult. b
has introduced the statement found in one @
| onr Dental Journals, that a person with
| gold set OF teeth aud a sore mouth exchanged
| them for rubber set, and the mouth at ono
got well. But an equal failu:e was made il
this statement, forlthe reason that he failed +
tell us that there was very important differ
ence between sore in the mouth caused b
the mechanical irritation OF :an old nearl
worn out set of teeth on gold, and ano,he
caused by mercurial poisoning.
In the same article-forssreaso known n
doubt to himself he nses the term ''inert We
million" 200 parts of mercury added to 81,
teen parts OF sulphur forms. compositio
| that would be inert if it should be introduce
into the human stomach, does it! Who wol
| ders that such a dentist bushes at the ign,
renee OF his profession,
That other dentist in this city, who told
man the other day, that DR.. Clark aud til
dentist to whom he referred in his artic
were both old foges, and did not know an
| thing about the red rubber, for there was n,
one particle of mercury in it, on beir
| questioned what it was colored wit
replied, "why it is nothing but pure We
million" He.does not exactly blush but tall
a great deal about what he calls the ignorant
of many of the older dentists in Portland.
This nameless dentist says Prof. Harr
failed by mechanical force to press mercul
from rubber plates.
He would meet with a similar failur
should he try by like mechanical process
separate the metallic mercury from the chi
rine gas with which it is combined to for
corrosive sublimate. Nevertheless, introdu
this virulent poison. into the stomach and
short time it will undergo a chemic
change which very readily liberates the chi
rine from the mercury.
What does all this prove? just what evel
chemist knows, viz: That alter two or mo
substances have once entered into chemic
combination, it requires not mechanic
force, but chemical action to separate thei
Taking into consideration all that has no
been said about mercury and its combin
tions; who is to solve the question as
whether red rubber is injurious to be worn
the mouth as base for artificial teeth?
| Last Spring fitted a fell set of teeth {
red rubber for physician OF this city. Aft
wearing them few weeks, he says,-snd
will give his own statement OF his case as !
related it to mel was conscious of great 10
of muscular power, was very easily fatigue
was soon confined to my chamber, and for u
most of my time to the bed; suffering seve
pain in the head and spine; loss of appetit
occasional attacks of vomiting and dlarrhe
alternating with constipation, severe pain
the liver and heart, worse every night; W
tigo; together with many other symptor
which gradually increased until was reduc
in strength and flesh to the last degree.
Remedies failing TO give permanent rel
l instituted careful inquiry in regard to Il
cause Of my sufferings, and, by careful an;
ysis of the symptoms reached the conclu'ii
that was poisoned by mercury-,but cou
not conceive how mercury could have pee
introduced into my system. Failing In