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Treatment. Possible complications (chronic infection of gums, cancer, gangrene, lung abscess) make trench mouth more a medical than a dental disease. But dentists can cure most cases. Treatment requires one to several weeks. Neosalvarsan may be applied directly to the sore or by intramuscular injection. Stubborn sores may be cauterized by 10% chromic acid, 50% trichloracetic acid or strong silver nitrate solution. It is preferable that a doctor or dentist apply the foregoing treatments. Most cases, after they have been accurately diagnosed, may be treated with oxidizing agents. Both the fusiform bacillus and Vincent's spirillum (perhaps they are the same) are anaerobic (cannot live in oxygen). They die when exposed to oxygenizing chemicals. Hydrogen peroxide diluted with an equal amount of water often suffices. Diluted potassium permanganate is very useful. But it stains. Preferable is sodium perborate. Every druggist sells sodium perborate cheaply. But it has an unpleasant taste, hence every druggist also carries more expensive preparations of sodium 'perborate mixed with appetizing aromatics. Simple or savored, sodium perborate releases the oxygen which kills the germs. A 2% solution makes the proper mouth wash and gargle. The powder may be made into a thick paste with a little water and applied directly to the ulcer. The paste should be kept there about five minutes while the oxidizing froth develops. Then the mouth should be rinsed with warm water.