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:
MS
that it was comparatively of rare occurrence, we now pro-
ceed to speak of
Superficial Caries.
This is defined to be a decay of the tooth, commencing
on the outside, and thence proceeding inwardly, until it
reaches the cavity of the tooth. Mr. Koecker* distinguishes
two states of this caries, the one before the decay has ex-
tended to the nerve of the tooth, and the other after the de-
cay has exposed the nerve. There is a material difference
in the practice for the relief and cure of these two states of
disease in the teeth.
The causes of superficial caries may be reduced to the
following general ones
First, A vitiated state of the saliva.
Secondly, Foreign or extraneous matter lodged upon the
teeth ; and
Thirdly, Any thing, which, either chemically or mechanic-
ally, injures or destroys the enamel of the teeth.
It cannot be denied, that in common with all the other
organs of the system, the teeth suffer by general and consti-
tutional diseases, and yet I must believe, that caries will sel-
dom directly take place from constitutional causes, but only
indirectly, by the teeth being weakened in their vital pow-
ers, by which they are rendered less able to resist some one
of the above classes of causes of decay.
We will now take a separate view of each of the forego-
ing classes of causes which produce decay of the teeth ; and
here I feel myself at home : for I can easily conceive of
causes acting upon the teeth externally, to produce their de-
See his article, Caries, Part II,
MS
that it was comparatively of rare occurrence, we now pro-
ceed to speak of
Superficial Caries.
This is defined to be a decay of the tooth, commencing
on the outside, and thence proceeding inwardly, until it
reaches the cavity of the tooth. Mr. Koecker* distinguishes
two states of this caries, the one before the decay has ex-
tended to the nerve of the tooth, and the other after the de-
cay has exposed the nerve. There is a material difference
in the practice for the relief and cure of these two states of
disease in the teeth.
The causes of superficial caries may be reduced to the
following general ones
First, A vitiated state of the saliva.
Secondly, Foreign or extraneous matter lodged upon the
teeth ; and
Thirdly, Any thing, which, either chemically or mechanic-
ally, injures or destroys the enamel of the teeth.
It cannot be denied, that in common with all the other
organs of the system, the teeth suffer by general and consti-
tutional diseases, and yet I must believe, that caries will sel-
dom directly take place from constitutional causes, but only
indirectly, by the teeth being weakened in their vital pow-
ers, by which they are rendered less able to resist some one
of the above classes of causes of decay.
We will now take a separate view of each of the forego-
ing classes of causes which produce decay of the teeth ; and
here I feel myself at home : for I can easily conceive of
causes acting upon the teeth externally, to produce their de-
See his article, Caries, Part II,
