Celsus directs us, when the pains of toothache cannot be got otherwise alleviated, to separate the gums from the tooth by free scarifications, and then to shake it until it is loosened, and forbids us to proceed rashly to perform extraction, for fear of occasioning dislocation of the jaw-bone, or, if the tooth belong to the upper jaw, of hurting the temples or eyes. If loose, it is to be taken out with the hand, but otherwise with a forceps, and, if eaten, the hole is to be filled with a tent, or with lead, to prevent it from breaking during extraction. The instrument is to be pulled direct, lest the spongy bone to which the tooth is fixed should be broken. Of this accident occurring there is, he adds, considerable danger; and not unfrequently when the tooth is short and its roots long, the instrument takes hold of a piece of bone and breaks it; in which case he directs us to extract the broken piece with a pincers. When the teeth are carious he directs us to scrape them, and apply to them a mixture of the flowers of roses, galls, and myrrh, and to hold undiluted wine in the mouth. When the teeth are slackened by any accident, he directs us to fasten them to the surrounding ones with a golden thread, and then to hold some stringent decoction in the mouth. When in young persons a second tooth appears before the first has fallen out, he recommends us to scarify around the latter and pull it out, and to endeavour to force the other gradually into its proper place. Stumps of teeth are to be taken out with a stump-extractor. (vii, 12.) Scribonius Largus makes some ingenious observations on the extraction of teeth, but disapproves of the operation, except in extreme cases. (De Comp. Med. i, 10.) Galen, and the medical authorities subsequent to him, direct us to file down teeth when they are diseased and project, but disapprove in general of extraction. Albucasis is particularly full in treating of the operations on the teeth. Like our author, he recommends us to perform extraction by first making free scarifications, and then pulling the tooth direct with a forceps, the patient’s head being held between the knees of the operator. When the tooth is hollow he directs us to stuff it beforehand with a tent of cloth. When a piece of the alveolar process has been broken, he properly recommends that it be taken out. He gives suitable directions for filing down the teeth, and for fastening them with gold threads. He gives drawings of instruments for extracting roots. (Chir. ii, 30.) The other Arabians describe the operation, but less precisely than Albucasis. Haly’s directions are judicious. He recommends the operator to use a forceps, and to stuff the tooth when it is hollow. (Pract. ix, 31.) SECT. XXIX.—ON CONSTRICTION OF THE TONGUE, OR TONGUE-TIED PERSONS.