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20 PYORRHCEA ALVEOLAR18. its proper physiological relations with cementum that it once has abandoned, unless there be first induced a return of the cementum itself to normal conditions—at least as to the per- iphera. Dr. Clement has demonstrated that in at least some cases the canaliculi and lacunae of cementum involved in these pus " pockets " become filled by obstructive calcification, necessar- ily confined to the outer laminae, thus effectually shutting off vital connection with the imposed pericementum, which disap- pears or possibly in some cases remains a useless covering to the solidified tract—a discarded mistress. Taking into consideration the conditions described, and ac- cepting them as facts, it is possibly true that, as Dr. Clement concludes, there can be no cure for such cases except by asser- tion of at least one stratum by excementosis over the solidified tract ; this may be realized only under the activity of a new pericementum ; hence the necessity for surgical removal of the loosened, hypertrophied and torpid pericementum, as well as the solidified superficial cementum in " pockets " of chronic pyorrhoea alveolaris.