Oral pathology and practice : a text-book for the use of students in dental colleges and a hand-book for dental practitioners / by W.C. Barrett.

  • Barrett, W. C. (William Cary), 1834-1903.
Date:
1901
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Oral pathology and practice : a text-book for the use of students in dental colleges and a hand-book for dental practitioners / by W.C. Barrett. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University Libraries/Information Services, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University.

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    A red line, or red blotches, along the gums at a little distance from the margin is a diagnostic sign of pericemental or periosteal irritation. A still deeper red color, with excessive Hoiv of saliva, is found in ptyalism, or merciirialisation. A blue line along the gums at the margin is indicative of lead poisoning. Great sponginess, sloughing of the gums, with fetor, indicate scurvy. Dark red gums, piiffiness, everted edges, with oozing of pus, are found in pyorrheal conditions. Purple gums, zvith a purulent discharge at more than one point, are indicative of caries or necrosis of bone. Gums hot and swollen, z'cry tense, with a determination toward one point, mean suppuration, alveolar abscess, phlegmon. Gums inflamed and soft, with fluctuation, indicate the pressure of pus, which should be evacuated. SzvoUen gums, fetid discharge, mucous patches, shallow ulcers under the tongue, eruptions about the mouth, skin, and scalp, gums everted, zvith fetid matter about the necks of the teeth, the tongue per- haps swollen and flabby, zvith the edges scalloped by the pressure of the teeth, may be found in syphilitic conditions. It should be comprehended that not all these symptoms or appearances will be observed in one mouth, but any one of them should stimulate the dentist to further examination and inquiry. The indications of imminent danger as presented by the tongue are a tremulous action, dryness, blueness, very red, shining, or glazed aspect, heavy furring, dark or black hue—the so-called black tongue. In considering the tongue and the oral tissues as diagnostic organs, the indications are not to be taken alone. The appearance should always be studied in connection with other symptoms, which may be the dominant ones, and may reverse the usual signi- fications. The oral tissues are to be considered as auxiliary, and not in every case pathognomonic. The diagnosis is to be reached by grouping all together, and reading one sign by the aid of the others.