ELECTROLYTIC ACTION IN THE MOUTH AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO PAIN

¹ University of Liverpool, Liverpool, England

1. Experiments are described in which the E.M.F. was measured when dissimilar dental filling metals were immersed in saliva, serum, and in whole blood. The E.M.F. was similar with each of the 3 electrolytes. Values between 0 and 639 millivolts were obtained.

2. Changing the distance between the electrodes, the area of cross section of the electrolyte, and the area of the electrodes in contact with the electrolyte left the E.M.F. approximately constant.

3. When the electrodes were brought into contact, the E.M.F. fell to zero. When they were separated, the E.M.F. redeveloped but was smaller.

4. Raising the temperature in the cell increased the E.M.F. and the increase was similar for saliva and serum.

5. When the current was measured by a microammeter the cell polarized rapidly. The cell recovered when the circuit was interrupted, but not completely.

6. The results are consistent with those of other workers, and a hypothesis is suggested to explain how pain occurs and why it occurs in some cases and not in others.

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