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in its spiritual substance, which is infiltrated through the whole
extent of the tooth ; for Without this it would be lost to the
osseous part, that subsists but by this means, after the same
manner,, that we see trees, and other vegetating tilings, sub-
sisting by means of the sap. For it may be said, that the
tooth vegetates and grows, and when its root is changed, and
this spiritual substance begins to degenerate, and is no longer
communicated, it becomes dry and black ; and after having
lost its natural colour, eventually perishes."
Fauchard appears to have unequivocally considered the
osseous structure of the teeth as possessing sensibility, for he
#
says :
" Those who have treated of the teeth, have found parti-
zans on the subject of the sensibility of these parts* Some
have thought that the teeth were insensible ; others have
maintained the contrary. It is true, that considering the
teeth simply like the bones, it might be said they were insen-
sible : but if they are considered as organized parts, covered
and furnished with membranes, vessels, and nerves, they
ought not to be denied the property of being sensible, as well
as all the other parts of the body.
It is easy to perceive that this different way of considering
the teeth, conciliates with much facility these two opinions,
which appear so opposite to one another: nevertheless, I
believe it is better to think like the last, for the reason
which I have just mentioned, and which is confirmed by
daily experience, which proves that the diseases by which
the teeth are attacked, cause pain, and of course, the teeth
are endowed with feeling."
To understand better the sensibility of the teeth, it must

* Fauchard, On the Sensibility of the Teeth, pages 135, 136:
16