A dictionary of dental science, biography, bibliography, and medical terminology / by Chapin A. Harris.

  • Harris, Chapin A. (Chapin Aaron), 1806-1860.
Date:
1849
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A dictionary of dental science, biography, bibliography, and medical terminology / by Chapin A. Harris. 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.)

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    to the mouth. It produces little or no constitutional disorder, though it may be associated with fever and gastric irri- tation as an effect. It attacks equally children and adults; but it is said not to be very commoh in early infancy. In adults it is frequently occasioned by the irritation of decayed teeth. The con- fluent variety is much more severe and obstinate. This frequently extends to the fauces and pharynx, and is even said to reach the intestinal canal, though it may be doubted whether the affection of the stomach and bowels is identical with that of the mouth. When it oc- cupies the fauces, it renders deglutition painful. It is, sometimes, attended with gastric uneasiness, vomiting, and intes- tinal pains, and diarrhoea. Fever occa- sionally precedes it, and moderates without entirely ceasing upon the ap- pearance of the eruption. The fever sometimes assumes a typhoid charac- ter. The cause of the disease is ob- scure, though it is, probably, dependent upon a vitiated state of the humors of the body and acidity of the gastric juices. In the treatment of the disease, pro- fessor Wood says, Magnesia may be given to correct acidity, and the diet regulated by the state of the stomach. In the severer cases, fever should be ob- viated by refrigerent cathartics and dia- phoretics, and by a Uquid farinaceous or demulcent diet. When the disease attacks the fauces or pharynx, occa- sions painful swallowing, and is at- tended with much fever and a strong pulse, general bleeding may become ne- cessary, and, subsequently, the applica- tion of leeches to the throat. Diarrhoea must be counteracted by the usual reme- dies calculated to reheve intestinal irri- tation, among which may be mentioned as especially useful, emollient applica- tions to the abdomen, and the warm bath. When the fever assumes the ty- phoid fonn, a tonic and supporting treatment may be required. In the early stages, the local treat- ment should consist of demulcent ap- phcations, as flaxseed tea, mucilage of gum arabic, or almond emulsion, with or without a Httle laudanum, or some preparation of morphia. But after the inflaimnation has somewhat subsided, and ulcers are left indisposed to heal, as- tringent washes may be resorted to. So- lutions of acetate of lead, sulphate of zinc, and alum; water acidulated with sulphuric or muriatic acid, and sweet- ened with the honey of roses; and various vegetable astringent and tonic infusions have been recommended. The author usuaUy employs a strong solu- tion of sulphate of zinc, in the propor- tion of fifteen or twenty grains to the ounce of water; which he appUes by means of a camePs-hair pencil, exclu- sively to the ulcers, with the almost uniform effect of disposing them to heal; and, even in the eruptive stage, this ap- phcation will often be found to effect an almost immediate cure. Professor Dungleson recommends touching the ulcers with the nitrate of silver. He has found it the most effectual remedy. The sulphate of copper might also be used in the same way with advantage. When it occurs in females during lactation, weaning the child will often be found necessary. In obstinate cases, the author last mentioned recommends a change of the physical influences to which the patient is subjected, by trav- elUng, exercise, &c. APHTHOUS. Relating to aphtha. APHYL'LUS. From a, priv. and ^vVkov, a leaf. Leafless. A plant with- out leaves. APIS. The name of a genus of in- sects. The bee. Apis Mellif'ica. The honey-bee. A'PIUM GRAV'EOLENS. The pharmacopoBial name of the herb snial- lage. Apium Petroseli'num. The phar- macopoeial name of the common pars- ley. APIUS. The name of an author of a Latin Dissertation upon Difficult