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50 Inaugural Dissertation.
and sensitive system, or remain in contact with the living
fibre, without exciting inflammation. Dead teeth and faDgs
invariably excite inflammatory action, by which, nature en-
deavors to rid herself of the offending substance ; and she per-
forms this process by causing an absorption of the alveoli, and
a deposite of ossific matter at the bottom of the sockets, which
gradually protrudes and removes the cause of irritation.
The vascularity of the teeth has not been so well establish-
ed. It is a subject, on which false opinions are generally
entertained by medical men ; because, it scarcely falls within
their province, and has with them, little interest or apparent
utility ; so that the opinions of Hunter, Bell, and other eminent
men, are at once embraced, without a proper examination of
their merits. Nevertheless, it is a subject of much importance,
in a country, where the diseases of the teeth are of such fre-
quent occurrence as in America; the truth of this assertion,
we hope, will appear evident, in the course of this dissertation,
for it is certain, that the pathology of these very important
organs, must depend upon their organization ; therefore, we
shall endeavor to establish the vascularity of the teeth, to the
satisfaction of the most sceptical.
We will mention the arguments, and assertions of those
writers, who advocate the non-vascular structure of the teeth
;
and consider those arguments separately, how far they are
tenable, and then adduce facts to refute them.
Mr. Hunter was of opinion that the teeth are not vascular,
and gives the following reasons :
First—He could never inject the teeth.
Second—He was not able to trace any vessels, going from
the pulp, into the substance of the newly formed tooth.
Third—A want of coincidence of phenomena between the
teeth and other bones of an animal, known to be vascular,
after having been subjected to the experiment of feeding upon
food mixed with madder; for according to his experiments,
those parts only, of the teeth formed while the animal is being
fed with madder are colored red, while those parts previously