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THE HEBRKirS 33

"Thy teeth are like a flock of sheep that are e\ en shorn, w hich came
up from the washing; whereof every one hear twins, and none is harren
among them."
In another part of the Song (vi: 6) he repeats these same words, thus
giving it to he understood how great was his admiration for the heautiful
teeth of his beloved.
From various passages of the Bible, one perceives that integrit\ and
soundness of the teeth was considered a prime element of force and vigor.
In Psalm iii: 7 Da\id sa\s: "Arise, O Lord; save me, () m\ CJod:
for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast
broken the teeth of the ungodly." (That is, reduced them to impotence.)
And in Psalm viii: 6 we read: "Break their teeth, O God, in their
mouth."
On the other hand, in one of the Proverbs of Solomon (xxv:
19),
broken or decayed teeth are taken to symbolize weakness: "Confidence
in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a
foot out of joint." (In the Latin translation, instead of "broken tooth"
stands "dens putridus." Perhaps the corresponding expression in the
Hebrew language, signifies in a general sense a decayed or injured tooth.)
The uncomfortable sensation produced on the teeth bv acid substances
(teeth on edge) is to be found several times alluded to in the Bible. In
the Book of Proverbs (x: 26), one reads: "As vinegar to the teeth, and
as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him." And
Jeremiah says (xxxi: 29, 30): "In those days they shall say no more,
The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children's teeth are set on
edge. But everv one shall die for his own iniquity; ever\- man that
eateth the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge."
As is apparent, there is nothing in the passages quoted that can be in
anv way connected with the treatment of dental affections; neither is it
to be wondered at, when one reflects that even in the Talmud—which is
much less ancient—medicine in general is hardly at all spoken of. This
famous code as to practical life is almost silent with regard to therapeutic
medicine, and only recommends hygienic practices. An axiom of the
Rabbi Banaah is worthy of note, and ma\- be (juoted here as bearing on
the subject, and also because many Christians might be found to conform
willingly thereto:
"Wine is the best of all remedies; and it is in places where wine is
wanting that one is in need of pharmaceutic remedies."'

' Bouillet, Precis d'histoire de la Medecine, Paris, 1883, p. 24.
J.