Note (7) — CANTO SECOND.

“As far as my experience has taught me,” says Dr. John Hunter, “to cut the gum down to the tooth, appears to be the only method of cure. It acts either by taking off the tension upon the gum, arising from the growth of the tooth, or by preventing the ulceration which must otherwise take place. It often happens that the gum will re-unite over the tooth; in which case the same symptoms will be produced, and they must be removed by the same method. I have performed the operation above ten times upon the same teeth, when the disease had recurred so often, and every time with the absolute removal of the symptoms. The gums may bleed a little, which may be of service in taking off the inflammation. I never saw a case where the bleeding either proved inconvenient or dangerous.”—(Hunter on the Human Teeth, pp. 240, 243.)