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DYSTKOPHIES OF THE TEETH. 41
other areas. The boundaries of several of these areas were
definitely determined by the collection of data as to the place
of residence of numerous individuals during the periods of for-
mation of the various teeth. The condition was found to be
prevalent in many tribes of Indians, as well as among persons
of various nationalities and races who chanced to live in an
endemic area, all being affected alike; neither was there any
difference in the percentage affected of persons who were strong
and healthy as compared with those who were of low vitality
due to chronic wasting diseases.
Every theory advanced as to the possible cause has been
followed assiduously without definite conclusions of other than
negative character. The prevailing belief has been that the
cause would be found in the water supply of the afflicted areas.
Analyses were made of the water of many regions, with the
most contradictory results. These demonstrated the fact that
if the hidden cause of this lesion is to be found in the water, it
must be by other than the ordinary chemical analyses. In clos-
ing his series of articles, Dr. McKay says
"Strieby declares that in future chemical examinations of
waters, the 'standard' analyses should be abandoned, and the
work confined chiefly to searching for 'traces' of these rarer
elements. In view of the contradictory evidence given by these
'standard' analyses, it seems logical to assume that if the cause
of this lesion is to be found in the water, it must be in the pres-
ence and influence of some constituent or group of constituents
heretofore undetermined.
"Future work on this problem, then, must be in the more
critical examination of the endemic areas already located, and
the writer believes that with the collection and presentation
of the mass of evidence in this article the subject has passed
beyond the strictly dental realm, and must now be examined
from the standpoint of some collateral branch of science."
DYSTKOPHIES OF THE TEETH. 41
other areas. The boundaries of several of these areas were
definitely determined by the collection of data as to the place
of residence of numerous individuals during the periods of for-
mation of the various teeth. The condition was found to be
prevalent in many tribes of Indians, as well as among persons
of various nationalities and races who chanced to live in an
endemic area, all being affected alike; neither was there any
difference in the percentage affected of persons who were strong
and healthy as compared with those who were of low vitality
due to chronic wasting diseases.
Every theory advanced as to the possible cause has been
followed assiduously without definite conclusions of other than
negative character. The prevailing belief has been that the
cause would be found in the water supply of the afflicted areas.
Analyses were made of the water of many regions, with the
most contradictory results. These demonstrated the fact that
if the hidden cause of this lesion is to be found in the water, it
must be by other than the ordinary chemical analyses. In clos-
ing his series of articles, Dr. McKay says
"Strieby declares that in future chemical examinations of
waters, the 'standard' analyses should be abandoned, and the
work confined chiefly to searching for 'traces' of these rarer
elements. In view of the contradictory evidence given by these
'standard' analyses, it seems logical to assume that if the cause
of this lesion is to be found in the water, it must be in the pres-
ence and influence of some constituent or group of constituents
heretofore undetermined.
"Future work on this problem, then, must be in the more
critical examination of the endemic areas already located, and
the writer believes that with the collection and presentation
of the mass of evidence in this article the subject has passed
beyond the strictly dental realm, and must now be examined
from the standpoint of some collateral branch of science."
