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ceived that in many instances they possess a high degree of
sensibility. It is well known that in the phenomena of liv-
ing organs, their sensibility increases in a ratio inverse to their
density, and hence some structures in a state of health appear
quite insensible ; but when diseased, are the seat of most
acute pain, because disease usually increases their vasculari-
ty. These observations apply not only to the osseous sub-
stance of the teeth, but to the tendons, ligaments, and cartila-
ges. In some instances the enamel is removed from a por-
tion of the tooth, and an inflammation of the exposed bony
structure takes place. In these cases the touch of a tooth-
pick, of a tooth-brush, or even the slightest impression, will
cause the most acute pain. This state of things we often
find on the necks of the teeth, and on their lateral surfaces.
Some of those who advocate Mr. Hunters opinions, on the
extraneous nature of the bony substance of the teeth, ex-
plain this, as they say, apparent sensibility in that part, by
supposing that any substance which touches the exposed
part communicates a vibratory and painful impression to the
nervous pulp within the tooth, and in this way they suppose
that all the uneasy sensations, which are so often complained
of by persons having diseased teeth arise ; that is, by an im-
pression conveyed through the bone to the nerve and mem-
brane, lining the internal cavity, and that the osseous structure
itself is not susceptible of pain. What seems entirely to contro-
vert this opinion is, that if this diseased portion of the tooth is
entirely and carefully removed, so as to leave the bone free
from any diseased part, the tenderness and pain are entirely re-
moved ; and although the bony part is left much nearer the
nerve than before the diseased portion was excised, still no
painful sensation is experienced as before, by the impression
of a brush, tooth pick, or any thing of the kind. It follows a
matter of course, as certainly as any demonstration in the