THE BOON OF SCIENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3101, 20 August 1913, Page 82

THE BOON OF SCIENCE.

PAINLESS DENTISTRY. (From Our Own Correspondent.) INVERCARGILL, August 8. This afternoon, in Mr F. R. Grceham’a surgery, a group of medical men and a pressman were interested observers at a demonstration of the new use of oxygen in connection with dentistry. With nitrous oxide as an anaesthetic everytJody is familiar. It is the laughing gas that is inhaled daily by scores of dental patients. Thanks to its aid the extraction of teeth became a much loss severe ordeal than formerly, but the latest evidence from the United States shows that nitrous oxide is not now used alone for the purpose of an anaesthetic. It is used with a slight mixture of oxygen, and after extraction a whiff or two of pure oxygen cleans the patient’s brain, counteracts any ill effects that the laughing gas may have had, and enables the patient to leave the chair feeling clear-headed and fit. Two cases of extraction were carried out by Mr Gresham before the medical men yesterday, Mr R. W. C. Steele administering the mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen. It was observed that the subjects kept their natural colour, and were able to leave the chair immediately with extraordinarily little discomfort, considering the number of teeth removed. The oxygen acted with astonishing effect as a reviver, and the patients spoke at once and showed a freshness and vigour unusual in such oases. But the most remarkable use of the mixture was demonstrated at the next operation. In this case a change in the proportion of oxide and oxygon brought about the condition known as analgesia—that is, the condition in which the patient retains consciousness and possession of his senses, but becomes insensible to pain. Those who have had a nerve in a tooth killed know that tho operation is exceedingly unpleasant and generally extremely painful. The experience, indeed* is one that men and women shun. To most people the drill and the probe are instruments of torture, but with nitrous oxide and oxygen as an analgetic the filling of teeth, goldcrowning, and other work become painless. Tho patient was put under the influence of the gas mixture, and when in a condition in which he could not feel a severe pinch or tho thrust of a pin ho spoke to those about him, answered questions, and described what was being done. The dentist got to work rapidly with a vigorous application of the drill. The nerve cavity was opened, the probe was thrust well home, and the pulp of tho nerve was removed, tho cavity was well cleaned, dried, and filled, and the patient stepped ouT of tho chair and entered into conversation with the medical men. In a few minutes his sense of feeling returned, but ho was not in any J»ay affected. It was a striking demonstration, and quite satisfied the observers that a new boon has been conferred upon humanity. Not only does a dental operation become painless without any unpleasantness to the patient, but the operator can work with greater rapidity and confidence, and as the condition of analgesia can be maintained for hours without injurious results, the dent et can finish three,or four teeth in an afternoon, and a case can be disposed of quickly. Both the anaesthetio and the analgetic arc now in common us© in tho United States and Europe, and New Zealand dentists know something of the treatment from articles in their technical magazines. To Mr Gresham, however, the honour of introducing th« treatment into New Zealand belongs. Convinced by reading of American experience that dentistry was on tho eve of a new and importau) development, he sent Mr Steele to the United States to study tho analgetic at headquarters. Mr Steele was fortunate enough to enlist the assistance of Dr N. C. Johnson, an American dental surgeon, whoso name is known throughout tho profession. With an introduction from Dr Johnson, Mr Steele approached Dr Barker, tho specialist engaged by the manufacturers of the apparatus through which the nitrous oxide and oxvgen are administered. At headquarters' lie learned everything. By Mr Gresham’s instruction Mr Steele purchased tho latest electrical tools and fittings for a dental surgery, and they are a miracle of beauty and efficiency. Now Mr Steele has the analgetic in daily use, and already Mr Gresham has had applications from dentists in other parts of tho dominion inquiring whether they can como to Ins surgery to learn the secret of the mixture. That it will become part of tho modern dentist’s course cannot be doubted, and Mr Gresham is to bo congratulated on his enterprise and on its successful outcome.