Important: Safety Warning
This page contains a formula or preparation using substances now known to be dangerously toxic, such as arsenic, mercury, lead, or cyanide compounds. Exposure to these substances can cause severe poisoning, permanent injury, or death.
In addition, this page describes trade processes that use dangerously toxic materials such as cyanide solutions, mercury amalgams, or strong acids. These processes require training, equipment, and precautions far beyond what the text describes.
In addition, this page presents medical treatment from an era before modern medicine. The remedies described are ineffective against the conditions named, and some of the ingredients or doses are harmful. Do not use them to treat any illness; consult a qualified medical professional.
This information has been left in for historical purposes but should not be acted upon.
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White Gutta-Percha
The Journal of Applied Chemistry gives the following method of preparing this, for dentists' use and for other purposes. 4 ounces of pure gutta-percha are digested with 5 pounds of methyl-chloroform until the solution is thin enough to pa pass through filtering paper. It is then filtered (an additional pound of chloroform will facilitate this), and should then be clear and nearly colorless. Alcohol is now added in sufficient quantity to precipitate the gutta-percha in a voluminous white mass, which is washed with alcohol, pressed in a cloth, and dried in the air. It must finally be boiled in water in a porcelain vessel for half an hour, and, while still hot, rolled into sticks.
The chloroform can be separated from the alcohol by adding water, and the alcohol 5876. Cottereau's Odontalgic Essence. A nearly saturated ethereal solu- recovered by distillation. (See No. 1725.) tion of camphor, mixed with To to its vol- 5882. How to Fill or Plug Teeth. ume of liquor of ammonia (specific gravity One of the most important points to attend .880 to 882). A very useful preparation. to in filling or stopping teeth, is that each 5877. To Kill the Nerve of a Hollow Tooth. Take 1/2 drachm white oxide of arsenic; 1 drachm sulphate of morphia; mix with a little creosote, and apply to the cavity of the tooth, previously cleansed.