Page 184 - My FlipBook

182

SECTION II.

OF EXOSTOSIS OP THE FANGS.*

One of the species of exostosis in bones is an enlargement
arising from a deposit of bony matter, so compact in its
structure, as very much to resemble ivory. This is that kind
of enlargement to which the fangs of the teeth of some per-
sons are liable.
The cause of this disease is obscure, and the slow in-
crease in the size of the fang, is the reason why pain does
not occur until a considerable augmentation of its bulk has
taken place.
It is sometimes found to exist where the crowns of the
teeth remain perfectly sound ; in other cases, it appears to
be the effect of indolent inflammation, arising from caries in
the body of the tooth, and extending to the fang. This kind
of disease does not produce suppuration ; the gum continues
quite healthy ; but whenever pain occurs, as no permanent
relief can be obtained without the extraction of the tooth,
it becomes necessary, when the teeth are sound, to be very
attentive to distinguish this disease from mere rheumatic affec-
tions of the jaw bones.
I extracted two teeth, the first molaris of each side of
the lower jaw, from a lady, who had complained for a
considerable length of time, of pain on both sides of the
face, arising from each of these teeth. She described
her symptoms to be a constant uneasiness, like the gnaw-
ing sensation of rheumatism, which continuing almost with-
out intermission, exhausted her health and spirits. The

" Fox, Part II. pages 42 to 50.