Treating Stomatitis With Hydrochloric Acid (Acidum Hydrochloricum)

In inflammation, with patches of ulceration about the mucous membrane of the mouth and gums, hydrochloric acid, diluted with an equal part of glycerin, and applied to the sloughing spots will induce healthy action. In mercurial stomatitis, and in the aphthous conditions that occur in children, or during advanced disease, lotions containing 1 part of acid in 10 of rose-water, either alone or with chlorate of potash and glycerin, are very serviceable. The acid is also valuable given internally in such cases. To avoid possible injury to the teeth, plain or alkalized water should be used immediately afterward.

Treating Stomatitis With Aluminium

When small ulcerations occur in the buccal mucous membrane, and when there is gingivitis or sponginess and inflammation of the gums, dried alum, applied in the form of powder, or a lotion containing it with myrrh and spirits of wine, is very useful. Salivation is also restrained by its moderate use, and injurious effects on the gums during a mercurial course may be prevented by keeping a piece of alum in the mouth for a few minutes occasionally. At Aix-la-Chapelle, patients are ordered to use alum gargles and washes frequently during the mercurial treatment.

Toothache dependent on caries may often be cured by the local use of a paste made with alum, ether, and mucilage, which should be applied until the sensitive nerve is destroyed (Legaulon).

In Catarrhal Angina and "relaxed throat," especially for relaxed uvula, the gargle of Riviere (1 dr. of alum to 6 oz. of water) is still a frequent prescription. It is said, however, to be injurious to the teeth, and plain water should be used after it.

In Hoarseness, a gargle containing 2 dr. of alum in 6 oz. of barley water has been found useful for professional singers (Bennati): the remedy is still better applied in the form of spray (10 gr. to 1 oz.).