W. A. JONES, M. D., Editor ASSOCIATE EDITORS: R. D. Alway, M. D. Aberdeen, S. D. H. J. Rowe, M. D. Casselton, N. D. PUBLICATION COMMITTEE: THOS. McDAVITT, M. D. St. Paul J. L. ROTHROCK, M. D. St. Paul F. A. KNIGHTS, M. D. Minneapolis W. L. KLEIN, Publisher Subscription $2.00 a year PUBLICATION OFFICE 839-840 Lumber Exchange Minneapolis, Minn. March 1, 1915 A NEW REMEDY FOR PYORRHEA ALVEOLARIS Diseased teeth and gums have an undoubted and pernicious effect upon the general health of the individual. This condition as a cause of disease has been the subject of many papers written by physicians and dentists. Now a new remedy has been proposed by Bass and Johns which promises relief in the majority of cases. Emetin is the drug that destroys the ameba of pyorrhea just as ipecac destroys the ameba of dysentery. The lesion should be attacked persistently until healed and the use of emetin continued to prevent reinfection. Emetin may be used hypodermically in one-half grain doses for at least three days and as often as is necessary to destroy the ameba. The presence of the ameba can be determined only by proper microscopic examinations. The healing process may require considerable time, according to the extent and character of the necrosis. Deep pockets require careful cleansing to clear the pus-forming cavities. After this has been accomplished and pus ceases to form Bass and Johns recommend the use of fluid extract of ipecac as a local application to prevent reinfection. Ipecac will actually destroy the ameba if used persistently and is preferable to the many commercial preparations now in use. The teeth should be brushed in the ordinary way, after which one drop of fluid extract of ipecac should be applied to the wet brush, forcing some of the solution between the teeth and spitting out the excess without further washing of the mouth. The investigators have found that this simple procedure will keep the mouth free from pyorrhea. It stands to reason, however, that the teeth must be thoroughly cleaned in the usual manner by the dentist, otherwise it will be impossible for the emetin or ipecac to penetrate the deep crusts which are found about old and uncared for mouths. It is remarkable how many people neglect the care of their teeth and it is equally strange that so little constitutional disorder is found in those who neglect an ordinary and simple sanitary toilet requisite. One of the first rules for hospital patients when they come under the supervision of the nurse is the provision of a tooth brush and a suitable mouth wash. Many patients from the country, a lesser number from the cities, never employ a tooth brush. Some even resent a suggestion of clean teeth. Nature gave them teeth and nature is supposed to keep them in order, but unclean teeth are the rule rather than the exception in hospital practice.