Administration. – Every fifteen or twenty minutes till the pain is mitigated; afterwards every four or six hours. Plantago O may be used in the same way, and often gives relief.
The Sulphurous Acid Spray, or a plug of lint dipped in the Acid and inserted in the tooth, will often give immediate relief. (See Homoeopathic World. vol. viii. p. 277)
The local application of the galvanic current often affords speedy relief. A mild current for two or three minutes generally suffices.
The occurrence of any pain or discovery of any decay in the teeth should be a warning to consult a competent dentist at once. With the gradual perfection of the art of dentistry, it is possible to get the utmost value out of teeth originally imperfect and poor, but the sooner the expert can attack the problem the better is likely to be the solution of it. Homoeopathic remedies will generally quickly relieve pain, but the attention of the dentist should not, therefore, be neglected.
MEANS OF PRESERVATION. – The function of the teeth is so important, that their preservation is a matter of the highest moment. The first teeth determine the nature of the second set, and persons suffer lamentably from early neglect. Proximate decay might be prevented, in five cases out of ten, by simply passing a thread between an infant’s teeth, twice a week, from the time of their eruption. Professional inspection should also be sought before symptoms of decay present themselves, and while there is still hope that the dentist may fulfil what should be regarded as his mission, that of saving the teeth. Cleanliness, with respect to the teeth, is all-important for infants and children, as well as adults. The teeth should be kept clean by rinsing the mouth with pure cold water, and brushing the teeth with a moderately soft brush every morning; and, if possible, after every meal, especially when animal food or sweet and sticky food has been taken; and contact with all disorganizing agents avoided. The idea that frequent brushing the teeth is liable to lacerate the gums and separate them from the teeth is erroneous, for it is one of the best methods of restoring them to a healthy condition when they are spongy and liable to bleed. But when a tendency to decay of the teeth or inflammatory action of the gums exist, a dilute solution of Myrrh, or other dentifrice, should be regularly and continuously used. The habit of taking very hot substances into the mouth should be avoided, as the expansive power of heat may rupture the enamel, which in turn becomes the nucleus of decay. On the other hand, the habit of subjecting the teeth to the opposite extreme of temperature, as by sucking ice, etc, is also to be avoided. Chewing or smoking tobacco and the habitual use of strong drinks, tend to destroy the teeth. LAstly, as an important means of preserving the teeth, the general health should be maintained in the highest state of integrity, by the use of plain, nourishing food, cold sponging or bathing, and early and regular habits.
141. – Gum-boil.
DEFINITION. – A small Abscess commencing in the socket of a tooth, and bursting through the gums or even through the cheek.
CAUSES. – Usually, the irritation from a decayed tooth. A cold may excite Inflammation of the dental periosteum, the morbid products of which are thus discharged.
SYMPTOMS. – Pain in a tooth, spreading over a portion of the jaw, with heat, throbbing, swelling, and the formation of an Abscess. This may heal by resolution; or it may burst into the mouth, or even percolate the cheek. The sufferings are sometimes great, worse at night, and incessant till swelling has taken place, when it usually abates. There is frequently some febrile disturbance.
TREATMENT. – Mercurius. – Constant aching, much Salivation, swelling of the gum, and throbbing. Persons who are liable to Gum-boils should continue the use of this remedy as a preventive twice a day for a week or two.
Aconitum. – In alternation with Mercurius for feverishness. Prescribed early, Aconite often checks the disease at the onset.
Belladonna. – Throbbing Headache, flushed face, and sensitiveness to noise, light, etc. Two or three doses may suffice.
Phosphorus. – An excellent remedy for Decay of the teeth of the lower jaw, and when Gum-boils form therefrom.
Hepar sulph. – When the swelling softens and throbs (signs that matter is forming); Silicea when it has burst. Silicea is antagonistic to Mercury, and should not be given after it.
Sulphur. – Gum-boils only partially cured by the above remedies; also when they become chronic.
ACCESSORY TREATMENT. – The application of a roasted fig, as hot can be borne, to the inflamed gum, will speedily give relief. If the swelling be very extensive, and there are signs of the Abscess coming through the cheek, a poultice of linseed-meal should be applied till suppuration is established, and continued for a short time afterwards. Prompt relief may be obtained by lancing the swelling as soon as its existence is ascertained, and this should be done. Extraction of the decayed tooth is often necessary.
142. – Glossitis – Inflammation of the Tongue.
SYMPTOMS. – Heat and pain in the tongue, which rapidly swells, sometimes to an enormous size, so as to hang out of the mouth; profuse Salivation; the patient may even be unable to eat, swallow, or speak, and suffocation seems imminent.
CAUSES. – Infection by bacterial organisms when the body resistance is lowered by cold or weak health. Wounds of the tongue and even slight scratches, may given an opportunity for infection; or, more frequently, mercurial salivation.
TREATMENT. – Aconite and Mercurius in alternation every hour, for on- mercurial Glossitis, till relief is obtained. If the disease be due to large doses of Mercury, Belladonna should be alternated with Hep-S. Ac.-Nit. and Carbo V. are also useful. If there be much oedematous swelling, Apis should be selected.
143. – Ulcer on the Tongue.
SYMPTOMS. – Soreness, slight swelling, and redness of the tongue; small Ulcers form, and discharge pus.
FISSURES OR CRACKS sometimes appear upon the side of the tongue, generally opposite the molar teeth, from Indigestion or the irritation of stumps.
TREATMENT. – Mercurius Biniod. (2x) is generally the best remedy, except for patients who have been overdosed with Mercury. In the latter case Ac.-Nit., both internally and as a gargle, should be prescribed. Arsenicum 6 has been found effective. Hydrastis is also a valuable remedy; a low dilution may be taken and the strong tincture used as a wash for the mouth (four or five drops to a wine glass of water). As a local remedy, dilute Carbolic or Nitric Acid is alone of great service (five drops to half a tumbler of water) for rinsing the mouth several times a day.
144. – Sore Throat
DEFINITION. – Simple soreness or swelling of the throat, uncomplicated by Ulceration, Quinsy, or Syphilis.
CAUSE. – Catarrh; the Sore Throat being a simple extension of the catarrhal affection. This disease should not be neglected, as it is apt, in some persons, to degenerate into the troublesome form described in the next Section.
TREATMENT. – Belladonna. – Red throat, feeling as if scraped raw, with pain on swallowing.
Mercurius. – Sensation as of a lump in the throat, worse at night, sometimes accompanied by Salivation.
Aconitum. Dryness, roughness, and heat in the throat, with a choking sensation. Hoarseness and febrile disturbance. If given early, Aconite alone will prove rapidly curative in catarrhal Sore throat.
Baryta Carb. – If Belladonna and Mercurius are insufficient; and if the inflammation be confined to the tonsils.
Dulcamara – If from a wetting, or from damp, foggy air.
ACCESSORY MEANS. – Frequent draughts of cold water, and the application of the throat compress. Steaming the throat as directed under Inhalation (see Secale 32) is soothing and often curative, but it should be done at bedtime, when the patient has not again to be exposed to external air. (See also the two following Sections.)
145. – Relaxed Throat; Ulcerated Throat; and Pharyngitis – Clergyman’s Sore Throat.
The affections designated by the above names being of a somewhat similar nature, and requiring similar treatment, are included in this Section.
PATHOLOGY. – In the incipient state, there is irritation of the lining membrane of the fauces and pharynx; afterwards as Inflammation progress, there is more or less redness, difficulty in swallowing, very likely some huskiness of voice. In severer cases the uvula is elongated, and the tonsils are enlarged, and white patches may appear on the tonsils, which are often called ulcers, but are really the opening of the tonsillar follicles filled with a white secretions (Follicular Tonsillitis). Actual ulceration of the tonsil seldom occurs, apart from Diphtheria (q.v.), is found mainly in cases of Syphilis, Tubercle, or malignant diseases. Vincent’s Angina is a rare disease due to a distinctive organism. Ulceration accompanies it, and may effect tonsil, uvula or palate.
SYMPTOMS. – The patient first complains of an uneasy sensation in the upper part of the throat, with a frequent disposition to swallow, as if something existed there which could thus be removed. If proper treatment be not adopted, the voice soon undergoes a change; it becomes feeble and hoarse, and sometimes, especially towards the evening, there is complete loss of voice. The patient complains of pain in the larynx, and makes frequent efforts to clear the throat of phlegm by coughing and spitting. On looking into the throat the parts are found to have an unhealthy appearance, being raw and granular, and the mucous follicles filled with a yellowish substance; a viscid muco- purulent secretion may also be seen adhering to the palate and adjacent parts.
LICENTIATE OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS; MEMBER OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS; LICENTIATE IN MIDWIFERY, LONDON AND EDINBURGH, ETC. PHYSICIAN TO THE READING AND BERKSHIRE HOMOEOPATHIC DISPENSARY.
Author of "The Stepping Stone to Homeopathy and Health,"
"Manual of Homoeopathic Treatment". Editor of "The Homoeopathic World."