Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine

(1) The technique of eradicating the pockets and occasionally trimming the alveolar margin is described. (2) Instruments designed for the operation are illustrated. (3) The whole mouth can be treated at one sitting. (4) The flap operation, in which the gum is reflected before scraping the alveolus and finally sutured, is not advisable. (5) Pyorrhœa can be eradicated by surgical measures in cases favourable for treatment. (6) Recurrence of the disease is due to: (a) Lack of suitable preliminary treatment. (b) Insufficient attention to detail when performing the operation. (c) Lack of suitable post-operative care by dental surgeon or patient. (d) Selection of cases not suitable for operation.

The patient before operation is trained by an experienced nurse in the art of thoracic respiration.—Deep anæsthesia during the actual enucleation of the growth of the prostate.—The scrotum and penis must be kept well up on the abdomen after the operation, and a suspensory bandage must be provided for the patient on discharge.—1 c.c. of pituitrin is injected immediately after the operation.—The first post-operative dressing is not done for twenty-four hours after the operation. No catheter is used after the operation, except very occasionally. The slightest sign of post-operative disease of the air-passages should be treated adequately, and immediately.