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ions, to drill out and destroy the nerves of some of the teeth
when diseased, and fill the cavity with a metallic stopping,
When in a vast majority of cases, a more judicious practice
would have perfectly restored the teeth to health, and pre-
served their vitality. The difference in the appearance of
those teeth in which the nerve, blood-vessels, and membrane
of the internal cavity are destroyed, and those in which they
are healthy, is great and as striking as between the appear-
ance of a dead and living tree in the vernal season ; and al-
though like the dead tree, it may, from the density of its
structure, for a time preserve its form, and from the vigour
and firmness of its roots maintain its position, yet sooner or
later it will crumble to pieces. A great deal more might be
said upon this subject, but the limits of this work will not
allow me to extend the discussion any farther, save only, in
conclusion, I would ask the candid enquirer after truth, to
peruse the observations, arguments, and opinions of Martin,
Fauchard, Blake, Fox, Duval and Koecker, and what I have
advanced upon this subject, consider that they were practical
dentists, and some of them very learned men ; then com-
pare these observations, &c. with the hesitating manner in
which Mr. Hunter, who was not a practical dentist, speaks
of the subject, and reflect upon the analogy which is observ-
ed between the dental organs and other dense structures, and
I think all will conclude with me, that in proportion to its
density, the osseous substance of the teeth is endowed with
as much vitality, as any other organ in the animal system.