DENTAL AND MENTAL TROUBLE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21344, 19 November 1932, Page 7 (Supplement)

DENTAL AND MENTAL TROUBLE

Two cases of insanity caused by bad teeth and,cured by their removal are described by Dr. G. T. Graves, chief medical officer of the Birmingham City Mental Hospitals Committee, and published in part two of the report and the Board of Control for 1931, issued recently. Dc. Graves also describes the successful results obtained by the general treatment of septic foci, including teeth and tonsils, in which the affected tissues were stimulated to eliminate the persisting infection. One case refers to a married woman aged 56, in whom mental symptoms appeared during a rourse of vaccine treatment, and increased in intensity until there was complete confusion. Examination showed six teeth in a septic state. These were removed in three stages. Six weeks after the removal of the first teeth the patient was mentally as well as ever: memory, concentration and reasoning power were fully restored, and she had resumed charge of her household and accounts. . In another case, following treatment, a woman became able to do useful work, but was subject to unexplained lapses of varying severity. A radiogram examination showed septic a buried left upper canine root. . , , After the removal the confusion cleared permanently and the patient was disC Infections used in general treatment included colloidal sulphur and - typhoid -pa ra typhoid A and B vaccine, both of which are stated to be capable of producing powerful effects both general and focal, in cases of mental disoidei ansing from sepsis.