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G4 Diseases of the Teeth.
fore, we prefer the division into internal and external caries,
as more useful, and founded on the anatomy of the teeth, and
as we believe, on the true pathology of this disease.
Various opinions have been entertained, as to the origin and
causes of caries, from the time of Mr. Hnnter down to the
present day ; and we beg leave to present some of the opinions
in their own
of the most, celebrated writers upon the teeth,
words. Mr. Hunter says
" The most common disease to which the teeth arc exposed,
is such a decay as would appear to deserve the name of morti-
But there is something more; for the simple death
fication.
of the part would produce but little effect, as we find the teeth
are not subject to putrefaction after death ; and therefore I am
apt to suspect that, during life there is some operation going on
which produces a change in the diseased parts.
<• It does not arise from external injury, or from menstrua,
that have the power of decomposing part of the teeth ; for any
thing of that kind could not act so partially. We may reasona-
bly suppose that it is a disease arising originally in the tooth
it&eW."- Hunter's Natural History of the Teeth. Pages
135, 141.
Mr. Fox thus gives us his opinion :
" The causes of caries have not been satisfactorily explain-
ed, from the structure of the teeth not having been duly con-
Mr. Hunter says :— 4 It does not arise from external
sidered.
injury, or from menstrua, which hare a power of dissolving
part of a tooth ; but we may reasonably suppose that it is a
disease arising originally in the tooth itself.' It is surprising
that, although Mr. Hunter went thus far, he gave no correct
idea of the manner in which the disease can alone originate.
" The proximate cause of caries appears to be an inflam-
mation in the bone of the crown of the tooth, which, on
account of its peculiar structure, terminates in mortifica-
tion.
"The membrane which is contained within the cavity of
a tooth is very vascular, and possesses a high degree of nerv-
ous sensibility; an inflammation of this membrane is liable to
G4 Diseases of the Teeth.
fore, we prefer the division into internal and external caries,
as more useful, and founded on the anatomy of the teeth, and
as we believe, on the true pathology of this disease.
Various opinions have been entertained, as to the origin and
causes of caries, from the time of Mr. Hnnter down to the
present day ; and we beg leave to present some of the opinions
in their own
of the most, celebrated writers upon the teeth,
words. Mr. Hunter says
" The most common disease to which the teeth arc exposed,
is such a decay as would appear to deserve the name of morti-
But there is something more; for the simple death
fication.
of the part would produce but little effect, as we find the teeth
are not subject to putrefaction after death ; and therefore I am
apt to suspect that, during life there is some operation going on
which produces a change in the diseased parts.
<• It does not arise from external injury, or from menstrua,
that have the power of decomposing part of the teeth ; for any
thing of that kind could not act so partially. We may reasona-
bly suppose that it is a disease arising originally in the tooth
it&eW."- Hunter's Natural History of the Teeth. Pages
135, 141.
Mr. Fox thus gives us his opinion :
" The causes of caries have not been satisfactorily explain-
ed, from the structure of the teeth not having been duly con-
Mr. Hunter says :— 4 It does not arise from external
sidered.
injury, or from menstrua, which hare a power of dissolving
part of a tooth ; but we may reasonably suppose that it is a
disease arising originally in the tooth itself.' It is surprising
that, although Mr. Hunter went thus far, he gave no correct
idea of the manner in which the disease can alone originate.
" The proximate cause of caries appears to be an inflam-
mation in the bone of the crown of the tooth, which, on
account of its peculiar structure, terminates in mortifica-
tion.
"The membrane which is contained within the cavity of
a tooth is very vascular, and possesses a high degree of nerv-
ous sensibility; an inflammation of this membrane is liable to
