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mained useful to the individual during their life time. This
local inflammation often and generally goes on to suppura-
tion, and matter is formed around the tooth, and is constantly
discharged for years, and by mixing with the saliva, is not
perceived except in its effects.
Scurvy is a disease which appears to be very common, or
occurring to nearly all classes of persons in every nation.
* Mr. Koecker says is a disease which seems to be
it
confined to no particular climate, but is more or less preva-
lent in every part of the world. I have observed, says he,
the inhabitants of most opposite countries, the Russians, the
Germans, the French, the Italians, the Spaniards, the Portu-
guese, the English, the Africans, the East and West Indians,
and the inhabitants of the United States, to be all more or
less liable to it.
Similar causes, ceteris paribus, in general, produce similar
effects, and as the organization of the human frame is the
same every where, so if exposed to similar causes of disease
similar diseases will follow, especially if those diseases have
a specific character ; and this explains to us the reason, why
inhabitants of opposite countries have similar diseases, be-
cause exposed to similar' causes of disease.

Symptoms.

This disease is usually very insidious in its first attack, and
often, says Mr. Koecker,
f it may continue for years, without
being detected by the patient or his surgical attendant. As we
have before had occasion to observe, the periosteum or mem-
brane covering the fangs of the teeth, appears to be derived

* See Koecker, page 273.
t See Koecker upon the Teeth, Part II. page 276.