If the ear was filled, give Mercurius once a day until there appears a natural secretion. If dry, use Belladonna.
Toothache.
It is difficult to determine the cause of toothache, and more difficult to select the remedy. It often depends upon decay of the tooth, and exposure of the nerve to air, and contact with food or drinks, or even saliva, which irritate and produce pain.
Pulsatilla will as often relieve such cases as any other remedy, yet if it has been aggravated by a recent cold, Bell. and Nux V. may be better. If the nerve is not exposed, and there is a disposition to a return of the pain on exposure to cold air, or a change of weather, the pain being of a rheumatic character, give Rhus and Macrotin in alternation. These will relieve many cases. For decayed teeth, the pain being dull aching, with soreness, use Chamomilla. The body of the tooth, that is the dentine, sometimes becomes very sensitive when there is no decay or cavity, the pain being experienced when some hard substance hits, or the air or water, either cold or hot, comes in contact with the tooth. The temporary pain will generally yield to Arnica, and in most instances, the daily use of Arnica at the first decimal dilution, applied to the surface, and upon the jaws, will effect a cure.
The chloride of Zinc applied to the surface of such teeth for a few moments will destroy the sensitiveness of the dentine.
Teeth that are ulcerated at the roots, or have ulcerated gums around them, the teeth being decayed, should be extracted at once, for, besides the pain and inconvenience they cause, they are a very prolific source of disturbance to the digestive organs, from the positive poison generated by the decaying process.
If people will use soft brushes upon the teeth with soap and water, followed by rinsing with simple water only, after each meal, brushing both inside and out and crossways, so as to clean between them, they will be saved much pain and decay, and disease of other parts, arising from foul and diseased teeth.
Teething of Children.
Affections arising from teething of children, are often of a serious character. The most prominent of which is Diarrhœa. Fever frequently accompanies the diarrhœa, and convulsions occasionally occur. Aconite and Chamomilla should be used in alternation, every one or two hours, according to the violence of the fever, and if convulsions occur, or are threatened, as will be known by twitching, starting, and screaming, use Nux and Bell. These may be given in rotation with the others, following the remedies, one after the other, every hour. I have relieved the most alarming cases in a day by this method of procedure, that had not yielded to either of the single remedies for several days, given as directed in the books; the patient growing worse continually. If the gums over the teeth look white and the teeth, (one or more,) are near the surface, the gums should, by all means, be cut. Press the point of a lancet or penknife down upon the top of the gum, until the tooth is plainly felt, and be sure to make the cut as wide as the tooth. Rub the gums with Arnicated water once or twice a day. Pulsatilla should be given at night and Chamomilla in the morning, during the whole summer while the child is teething, as a prophylactic against the fever and diarrhœa that is likely to occur. It will generally save all trouble.
If the diarrhœa is profuse, watery and light colored or brown, give Phos. acid and Veratrum alternately, as often as the discharges occur. For the restlessness of infants at night, Coffea is the specific.