The diseases of children : a short introduction to their study / by James Frederic Goodhart.

  • Goodhart, James Frederic, 1845-1916.
Date:
1888
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The diseases of children : a short introduction to their study / by James Frederic Goodhart. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

    44/752 (page 20)
    If the pyi’exia be severe, and there be any threaten- ing of convulsions, and a tootli seem to be worrying the gum close l)eneath the surface, there can be no harm in using the gum lancet to relieve the upward pressure; at the same time, bromide of potassium or sodium, and some saline, such as citrate of potash, should be given internally eitlier as a nocturnal draught or twice or three times a day, and llilliet and Sanne | speak highly of valerianate of ammonia. The subject of | dental decay, although one of interest and concern to j all who see much of the diseases of children, is hardly j within the province of this book. Moreover, beyond | confirming the general observation that decay takes 'f place much more rapidly in some families than in | othei-s, I have not anything positive to contribute to , the subject. But I may make this practical note from j the storehouse of the experience of my colleague, Mr. Moon, that young children are often inveterate food ^ bolters, on account of toothache; and this much from | my own knowledge, that stopping is now practised by ; dental sui’geons from four years of age upwards, thus 1 allowing of the more healthy development of the per- i manent teeth, and in no small measure preventing ! some of the many dietetic ailments of early life. The second dentition commences about the seventh | year with the eruption of the first molars; next in ;i order come the central and lateral incisors, the hast I bicusjnd, the .second bicuspid, the canines and second molars, at intervals of a year or so. Some have thought that this also is a time of hazard to the child, but it will be admitted by all that, whatever may be the precise value of the eruption of the milk teeth as a factor in the production of disease, the appearance of the permanent teeth is only chargeable, if at all, in the most indirect manner. The more obvious rea.sons that are present in the j former case are absent now : there is no change of diet, ; no special development commencing now, at all com- i parable with that which takes place during the fii-st i