The medical student's guide in extracting teeth : with numerous cases in the surgical branch of dentistry / by S.S. Hornor.

  • Hornor, S. S. (S. Stockton)
Date:
1851
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The medical student's guide in extracting teeth : with numerous cases in the surgical branch of dentistry / by S.S. Hornor. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

    19/94
    knowledge, by negligence, or by faulty construc- tion, be the cause of serious injuries; but for this it is more reasonable to condemn the operator (who, without knowledge or care, would attempt to practise upon his fellows, what mercy would prevent him from performing upon a brute), than to condemn the instru- ment which has proved itself invaluable, by extract- ing teeth which any other agent fails to effect. And, since its power is universally admitted, it should be skilfully directed, and therefore becomes dangerous in the hands of the unskilful, as steam becomes dan- gerous when left to the management of those who do not properly understand its government. But if the operator will get a well-constructed key, and employ it as directed in this work, I venture to pre- dict that, before using it two years, he would sooner dispense with any other instrument. By using a short, round fulcrum, and short claw, teeth or roots may be removed without danger, always placing several thicknesses of paper or lint to prevent lace- ration of the gum (not towels or handkerchiefs, as I have had the mortification to witness). Let it be fully understood, that while advocating the use of the key, I do not underrate the forceps. In all cases where they are used with the desired effect, there is no doubt that they cause less pain