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»4 ally deftroyed, and the cavity filled as before mention ed, or the tooth extracled ; otherwife acid and faline particles will enter the hole or cavity of the tooth ori ginally filled with the nerve or chord ; wound its mem branes, and probably produce an abcefs in the focket and gum. This operation of removing the caries of a tooth, and filling up the cavity, is neceffary in another point of view, viz. the cavity of a decayed tooth if left open, is a receptacle for the collection of particles of food, which putrify and occafion a very foetid breath, and the contamination of the adjoining teeth. It is an eftabufhed principle in Chemiftry, that where there is a collection of putrefcent matter, and " free accefs of air, heat and moifture, a putrefactive pro- cefs goes on, eventually producing the Septic Acidt pofleffing qualities nearly refembling Aqua Fortis, and which is eminently calculated to complete the work of deftruclion ;" no fnuation whatever can be more convenient to receive and retain putrefcent mat ter ; and more liable to produce confequently none contaminating deftru6tive confequences than a decay ed Tooth. Of the Alveoli, or Sockets. The Alveoli or Sockets, are cavities or holes, formed by nature in the jaw bones, for the reception and firm fecurity of the teeth ; the under jaw in in fancy confifts of two bones, which become firmly united at the Symphyfis of the chin in adults. Dif eafes fometimes arife in the fockets when the teeth are perfectly found : thefe proceed either from a conftitutional caufe, or a natural effect taking place prematurely. The former may be removed by pro per corrective prefcriptions, frequent fcarifying, or bleeding the gums, and externally applying anti- fcorbutic and aftringent medicines. The latter is feldom, perhaps never cured. It generally occafions a total lofs of the teeth contiguous to the difeafed