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Inaugural Dissertation. 61
temperature, manner of living, and diseases of the general
system, have a great effect in inducing the diseases of the
teeth, as we have an abundance of facts to prove : these
certainly can have no such effect, every medical philosopher
will assert, unless the teeth are susceptible of inflammation,
which cannot be unless they are vascular.
So much for arguments and facts combined. We appre-
hend that the following facts will satisfy any man that the
bony structure of the teeth is vascular.
In the spasmodic cholera theteeth are said to be frequently
injected with the red particles of the blood, particularly by the
French physicians : our own observations will not permit us
to bear testimony in favor of this assertion, though we do not
doubt but that it does happen.
"I have at this time five teeth taken from the jaws of a very
plethoric woman, who died of a violent inflammatory fever,
which appear completely and beautifully injected with red
blood." Fitch' on the Teeth. Page 135.
" I have frequently examined the teeth of persons, whose
death had been caused by hanging or drowning, and have in-
variably found the teeth of a dull deep red, which could not
possibly be the case if these structures were devoid of a vascu-
lar system." Thomas Bell on the Teeth. Page 12.
Dr. J. It. Spooner of Montreal, has had several opportuni-
ties of examining the teeth of persons who have died on the
gallows, and has invariably found the phenomena mentioned
by Mr. Bell.
We have in our possession several teeth taken from the jaws
of a man who was hanged, the whole bony structure of
which is red with blood.
^lany more arguments and facts might be adduced in proof
of the vascular structure of the teeth ; but we trust enough have
been advanced to establish it fully. We have even dwelt
longer on this subject than may be thought necessary ; if so,
a desire to establish our position beyond a doubt, is some apo-
logy ; for if our views be incorrect our practice must also be
Inaugural Dissertation. 61
temperature, manner of living, and diseases of the general
system, have a great effect in inducing the diseases of the
teeth, as we have an abundance of facts to prove : these
certainly can have no such effect, every medical philosopher
will assert, unless the teeth are susceptible of inflammation,
which cannot be unless they are vascular.
So much for arguments and facts combined. We appre-
hend that the following facts will satisfy any man that the
bony structure of the teeth is vascular.
In the spasmodic cholera theteeth are said to be frequently
injected with the red particles of the blood, particularly by the
French physicians : our own observations will not permit us
to bear testimony in favor of this assertion, though we do not
doubt but that it does happen.
"I have at this time five teeth taken from the jaws of a very
plethoric woman, who died of a violent inflammatory fever,
which appear completely and beautifully injected with red
blood." Fitch' on the Teeth. Page 135.
" I have frequently examined the teeth of persons, whose
death had been caused by hanging or drowning, and have in-
variably found the teeth of a dull deep red, which could not
possibly be the case if these structures were devoid of a vascu-
lar system." Thomas Bell on the Teeth. Page 12.
Dr. J. It. Spooner of Montreal, has had several opportuni-
ties of examining the teeth of persons who have died on the
gallows, and has invariably found the phenomena mentioned
by Mr. Bell.
We have in our possession several teeth taken from the jaws
of a man who was hanged, the whole bony structure of
which is red with blood.
^lany more arguments and facts might be adduced in proof
of the vascular structure of the teeth ; but we trust enough have
been advanced to establish it fully. We have even dwelt
longer on this subject than may be thought necessary ; if so,
a desire to establish our position beyond a doubt, is some apo-
logy ; for if our views be incorrect our practice must also be
