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P. 796
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806 DENTAL CARIES.
water at 23° C, and again filtered ; the filtrate (which must be clear
and should contain the ferment in solution) was added to a solution of
cane-sugar, which then showed in the long tube of a Mitscherlich polar-
iscope a rotation equal to 5.19°. The solution was now allowed to
stand four hours at a temperature of 38° C, after which time it pro-
duced a rotation of only 4.54°, indicating a decrease of about two-
thirds of a degree. The solution also produced a slight reduction of
an alkaline solution of sulphate of copper i e. a certain portion of the
cane-sugar had been converted into invert sugar.
In the presence of the fungi the non-fermentable sugar, by the action
of the invertine produced by the fungi, takes up oTie molecule of water
and is converted into invert sugar, a mixture of levulose and dextrose,
both of ^vhich are fermentable :
Cane sugar. Levulose. Dextrose.
We may say, therefore, that the micro-organisms require sugar to
produce fermentation, but that it is immaterial which kind of sugar is
furnished them. The fermentation is most active between the tempera-
tures 35° and 40° C. Above 50° and below 15° C, little or no pro-
duction of acid takes place.
In addition to these two species of fungi, others of minor importance
are occasionally met with in the mouth, and will receive attention
later on.
I would not have any one think that I look upon the above as a
thorough consideration of the fungi of tooth caries ; to me it a})pears
very imperfect. Nevertheless, I have thought it well to present the
matter before the profession in the hope that others might be induced
to take it up and help to complete the work thus begun. I will now
present the results of experiments relating to the action of various
antiseptics, filling materials, etc. upon the fungi under consideration.
The Influence of Antiseptics, Filling Materials, etc. upon
THE Fungi op Dental Caries.
Having established upon an experimental and scientific basis the fact
that caries of the teeth is to a certain extent the direct result of the action
of ferment acid or acids ^ upon the tissue of the tooth, followed, particu-
larly in the case of the dentine, by the action of the ferment organisms
tliemselves upon the decalcified tissue, it becomes a matter of the first
importance to determine, first, by what means we may counteract the
action of the acids or ])revent their jiroduction ; second, by what means
we may save the hi ready decalcified dentine from complete destruction.
Evidently, there are three methods by which the desired end may be
partially obtained :
1. By repeated, thorough, systematic cleansing of the oral cavity and
the teeth we may so far reduce the amount of fermentable substances in
the mouth and the number of ferment organisms as to materially dimin-
; other acids
^ The chief work in tlie production of caries is iierfornied by lactic acid
are only auxiliary factors.
806 DENTAL CARIES.
water at 23° C, and again filtered ; the filtrate (which must be clear
and should contain the ferment in solution) was added to a solution of
cane-sugar, which then showed in the long tube of a Mitscherlich polar-
iscope a rotation equal to 5.19°. The solution was now allowed to
stand four hours at a temperature of 38° C, after which time it pro-
duced a rotation of only 4.54°, indicating a decrease of about two-
thirds of a degree. The solution also produced a slight reduction of
an alkaline solution of sulphate of copper i e. a certain portion of the
cane-sugar had been converted into invert sugar.
In the presence of the fungi the non-fermentable sugar, by the action
of the invertine produced by the fungi, takes up oTie molecule of water
and is converted into invert sugar, a mixture of levulose and dextrose,
both of ^vhich are fermentable :
Cane sugar. Levulose. Dextrose.
We may say, therefore, that the micro-organisms require sugar to
produce fermentation, but that it is immaterial which kind of sugar is
furnished them. The fermentation is most active between the tempera-
tures 35° and 40° C. Above 50° and below 15° C, little or no pro-
duction of acid takes place.
In addition to these two species of fungi, others of minor importance
are occasionally met with in the mouth, and will receive attention
later on.
I would not have any one think that I look upon the above as a
thorough consideration of the fungi of tooth caries ; to me it a})pears
very imperfect. Nevertheless, I have thought it well to present the
matter before the profession in the hope that others might be induced
to take it up and help to complete the work thus begun. I will now
present the results of experiments relating to the action of various
antiseptics, filling materials, etc. upon the fungi under consideration.
The Influence of Antiseptics, Filling Materials, etc. upon
THE Fungi op Dental Caries.
Having established upon an experimental and scientific basis the fact
that caries of the teeth is to a certain extent the direct result of the action
of ferment acid or acids ^ upon the tissue of the tooth, followed, particu-
larly in the case of the dentine, by the action of the ferment organisms
tliemselves upon the decalcified tissue, it becomes a matter of the first
importance to determine, first, by what means we may counteract the
action of the acids or ])revent their jiroduction ; second, by what means
we may save the hi ready decalcified dentine from complete destruction.
Evidently, there are three methods by which the desired end may be
partially obtained :
1. By repeated, thorough, systematic cleansing of the oral cavity and
the teeth we may so far reduce the amount of fermentable substances in
the mouth and the number of ferment organisms as to materially dimin-
; other acids
^ The chief work in tlie production of caries is iierfornied by lactic acid
are only auxiliary factors.
