University of the Pacific School of Dentistry - Chips Yearbook (San Francisco, CA)

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Toothache and the loosening of the teeth during gestation is an every day observation and has given rise to a popular adage - For every child a tooth. In the affections of the teeth and gingivae at this stage, various forms have to be distinguished, i. e., notable sensitiveness of teeth, odontalgia, without apparent causesg loosening of teeth with hyperemia and hypertrophy of the gingivae, brittleness of teeth, and caries of the teeth which is usually of progressive character. These symptoms appear generally in the third and fourth months. The causation of these symptoms seems to be more from a topic reflex from the geni- talia than from disturbances of the circulatory system. Vomit- ing during gestation is commonly caused by an acid saliva which is contaminated by putrifactive bacteria. Postponement of treat- ment until after delivery is to be strongly condemned. During the third, eighth and ninth months dental operations should be avoided if possible as abortion is most likely to take place at that time. There is no possible danger otherwise, providing the oper- ation is performed without undue pain. Novocain may be used as a local and ether Cor nitrous oxide with oxygenj as a general anaesthetic in those conditions. Uric acid ailments are next in order. Gouty diathesis, rheu- matism and pyorrhea alveolaris, all caused by an excessive de- posit of uric acid in the body. Local conditions as unsanitary and ill-adjusted bridges and crowns, old roots, etc., all tend to aggravate pyorrhea. The treatment for pyorrhea should be both constitutional and local. The last subject to be taken up is children's mortality. The Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce and Labor at Wasliington, D. C., has recently presented some interesting in- formation on the mortality of children which should receive the consideration not only of sanitarians in general, but especially those concerned with the hygiene of the mouth. The death rate of tuberculosis decreased from 173.9 in 1908 to 167.5 per one thousand in 1909, it being the lowest rate on record. Mortality of pneumonia and influenza has also decreased. In the estimated population of the United States it showed that 26.8 per cent were children under five years of age and that 19.1 per cent were infants under one. The above decrease is no doubt a result of the recent hygi- enic movements. The human mouth is a habitat and breeding ground of many bacteria which are the causes of definite pathol- ogical conditions. Mortality will still further decrease when those in charge of the little patients are made to clearly under- estand the relationship between infantile disorders and difficult dentition, and relieve the distress by the skillful use of the life- saving lance. It is in the foregoing aspects of the question that both mem- bers of the medical profession should fully awake and co-operate in reducing the rate of mortality in our country. ' 35

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THE CO-OPERATION OF PHYSICIAN AND DENTIST IN THE TREATMENT OF DISEASES. S. B. Fontaine, D. D. S. CAsst. Oral Surgeon to College of Physicians and Surgeons of San Francisco, Dental Surgeon to French Hospital of S. FQ When we consider the close relationship between certain diseases of the human mechanism and that of the beginning of the alimentary tract, it is hard to realize that we are only now awakening to the fact that the physician and dentist are depen- dent upon each other for the thorough and scientific treatment of various diseases. To consider all the diseases which are analogous to one another would take up more space than is at my disposal, so I will content myself with mentioning the most important only. In the vicinity of the oral cavity we have the diseases of the faucial tonsils, and of the circle of Waldeyer, which includes the adenoids. We also have the influence of the thyroid body upon the eruption of the teeth. It is only of. recent years that the significance of the thyroid body in the human system and its therapy has been discovered. Dr. Dunogier of Paris, who has made a special study of that body, cites several cases, one of which I will mention. The pa- tient,'an infant, who was greatly retarded in general development, and exhibited myxedema, had erupted but seven teeth by the age of three. After thyroid treatment had been given for three months nine additional teeth had erupted. Other cases in the oro-pharynx are the sequelae of genital diseases, i. e., secondary syphilis in the form of mucous patches and the third state or gumma. VVe also have the initial stage of syphilis in the form of chancre, and last, but not least, on account of rarity, gonor- rheal stomatitis. Thorough knowledge of these cases should be had by both members of the medical profession, not only for the rational treatment of the unfortunate victim, but for the danger of inoculating other innocent people. As we leave the oro-pharynx we come to skin diseases which are attributed to pyorrhea alveolaris, among the most common we find acne rosacea areola, eczema, edema, etc. The two explana- tions of this phenomena are: the irritation of one branch of the fifth nerve inside the mouth, producing by refiex action, a lesion of the integument by an associate branch of the same nerveg the other, the more complex condition or septic absorption from diseased gums. I r Next we have infiammation of the eyes, infection of the brain, and insanity. In cases of neurasthenia and insomnia, not due to obvious physical cause, i. e., disorders of the digestive organs and eye strain, possibly one-half of them are due to den- tal diseases, the remainder maybe caused by genital diseases. In mentioning genital disorders it is not amiss for me to men- tion a few facts on dentistry and gynecology. 34

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THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A PIECE OF GOLD. By Mary Reynolds. CAge 11 Yearsj I was once happy and free, away down in the black earth. One day I was taken away from my companions and placed in a pan with dirt and rocks. Soon I was covered with water, and then shook to and fro till my poor head ached. I was then taken out of the pan with some dirty fingers and turned over and over, and then placed carefully in the pan again. The pan was carried up to a house and I heard a little voice cry, Oh! Oh! Look what papa has. Then I heard a clatter of tiny feet and I was jostled a little, because one of the youngsters had pulled on the person's arm whom they called papa. I was then put into a little glass vial and placed in papa's pocket. Then I was taken on a long journey to the goldsmith. How lonely I was, so far from my comrades, way down in the earth. True, I had often been lonely there, for I had never appreciated home hospitality. Now, however, I would have given anything to have been back in my old home. At the end of the journey I felt myself taken out of the dark, deep pocket and placed in the goldsmith's hand. After a while I found myself in a large iron kettle full of other gold. I soon began to feel exceedingly hot, and then I melted away. After a while the goldsmith took me out of the pot and made me in the shape of a ring. He placed a glittering diamond on my head and then put me in the window for people to look at. At last I was taken out of the window and an old man with a white beard bought me, saying he wanted to give me to his granddaughter for a birthday present. I was placed in a pretty box filled with soft totton. One morning the old man gave me to his granddaughter. I heard her say, Oh, grandpa, it's so pretty, thank you, ever and ever so much ! This made me feel proud because she said I was pretty. One day I dropped from her finger under some boards. There I lay day after day. VVould no one pick me up? Yes, in- deed. One day while I was dreaming of bygone days the boards were taken up and I was picked up hastily. I heard a little scream, Oh! Oh! Effie, come hereg look what I found! I was regarded curiously for two or three minutes. Oh, Long it's a ring! An' Effie, see the pretty diamond ! Oh, but Lou, we can't let father see it or he would pawn it so he could buy beer. Hu, huh, weill have to hide it. I was 'then tucked lovingly away in Lou's bosom. I next found myself in a dark, cold dreary attic. The little girls were looking at me in one of the dark corners. From there I could see all around. Near me were some old clothes. On 36