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pendages of the teeth, grow with them, and when they are
lost, the alveoli soon disappear. The knowledge of this
fact enables us to explain the great changes which take place
in the appearance of the features, from the loss of the teeth,
and consequent loss of the alveoli : and a knowledge of this
circumstance enables us by directing the growth and posi-
tion of the teeth and alveoli, to prevent and correct deform-
ities from a mal position of these organs.

SECTION IX.
OF THE GUMS.*

The alveolar processes are covered by a red vascular sub'
stance, called the gums, which has as many perforations as
there are teeth ; and the neck of a tooth is covered by, and
fixed to this gum. Thence there are fleshy partitions be-
tween the teeth, passing between the external and internal
gum, and as it were uniting them ; these partitions are high-
er than the other parts of the gum, and thence form an arch
between every two adjacent teeth. The thickness of that
part of the gum which projects beyond the sockets is con-
siderable ; so that when the gum is corroded by disease, by
boiling, or otherwise, the teeth appear longer, or less sunk
into the jaw. The gum adheres very firmly in a healthful
state, both to the alveolar process and to the teeth, but its
extreme border is naturally loose all around the teeth.
The gum, in substance, has something of a cartilaginous
hardness and elasticity, and is very vascular, but seems not

* Natural History of the Human Teeth, by John Hanter. tondoa,
I8Q8, yage 66—67.