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Euclid, that if the reasonings of these gentlemen are cor-
rect, the nearer we approach the nerve, the greater will be
the pain, and the greater will be the liability to it ; but the
fact is otherwise, for after the complete removal of the dis-
eased portion, the tenderness and pain are also removed ; nor
are they again perceived unless the bone becomes diseased.
I have noticed these facts in repeated instances, and on these
principles, I have often excised diseased portions of teeth, to
the uniform relief of the patient, and often entirely arresting
the disposition to disease. A reason which Mr. Hunter urges
against the idea of circulation through the osseous portion, is
because he was " never able to inject it." This argument
loses all its consequence, when we consider that the tendons,,
ligaments and cartilages, and the chrystaline lines of the eye
cannot be injected ; and yet it is seldom contended that
these parts are not vascular and possessed of vitality. If
the osseous portion of the teeth cannot be injected by art, I
am certain that in the higher grades of inflammatory fever in
some instances, no blood passes into the bony structure so as
to be perceptible to the observation of the physician, and
likewise to be so after death. I have at this time five teeth
taken from the jaws of a very plethoric woman, aged 27
years, who died of a violently inflammatory fever, which ap-
pear to be completely and beautifully injected with red blood ;
their enamel is perfectly natural, whilst the bony structure is
of a deep red, and this red colour is proved not to proceed
from the injected vessels within, for after sawing off the
fangs, and drilling out the nerve and vessels, the same ap-
pearance remains. 1 hardly need pursue this subject any
farther, after what has now been said upon it, and the ob-
servations of the eminent and learned dentists already quo-
ted ; nor should I have said as much as I have, if it was not a
practice with some persons who favour Mr. Hunter's opin-