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Diseases of the Teeth. 89
decomposition, and aided by other agents, "have a very perni-
cious influence. Tartar and putrefactive agents are the grand
causes of caries, and of all the diseases of the gums and sock-
ets. The tartar gradually separates the gum from the necks
of the teeth, by insinuating itself deeply between them, and
aided by other causes, produces inflammation of the gums,
which gradually become of a livid color, sore and spongy, and
bleed on the slightest touch
; the disease extends to the sock-
ets, constituting what is vulgarly called, scurvy in the gum.
A puriform discharge takes place around the necks of the
teeth—the periosteum and the alveoli are gradually absorbed
—the teeth become loose, and deposition of bony matter at the
bottom of the sockets, gradually protrudes the teeth, and gives
them a hideous appearance, and soon they drop out, one after
another, perfectly sound, wholly the effect of neglect! This
is usually the work of some years: the incisore's of the lower
jaw, are generally lost by scurvy in the gum; for these teeth
very seldom decay, for reasons before mentioned. That tartar
and putrefactive agents are the general causes of external
caiies, and frequently of the diseases of the gums and sockets,
is proved by the fact, that the teeth of those persons who have
always kept them free of these, agents, are seldom attacked by
external caries, if they have been well formed and developed i
and that diseases of the gum and sockets are unknown to such
persons, unless brought on by disease of the general system,
or the administration of mercurial medicines.
A VITIATED STATE OF THE SALIVA .*
That the saliva may, and does become vitiated, we think is
proved by the circumstance, that artificial teeth decompose

* ACIDS IN THE SALIVA.
In persons of a weakly constitution, or in those having a febrile state
of the system, or derangement of the digestive organs, the secretions of
the mouth, often become deteriorated as well as those of the body. The
saliva often becomes remarkably 'active under such circumstances, as is