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6G Diseases of ihe Teeth.
the internal part of the tooth goes on, until the enamel is broken
away, and a caries is discovered.
" I could mention many cases in corroboration of this state-
ment, and produce several examples of teeth with the decay
extending through the internal part, whilst the enamel re-
mained perfectly sound."- Fox's Natural History of the Teeth.
Part II, page 11.
Mr. Thomas Bell, who has written the beat work upon the
teeth observes:
" It is I believe, only by recurring to the vitality of the
teeth, modified as it certainly is by the peculiarities of their
structure, that we can arrive at the true explanation of the
nature, the cause and the progress of dental gangrene. Mr.
Fox, apparently from his well intended, but overweening
fondness for discovering in the diseases of the teeth a perfect
analogy with those of other bones, was led to form incorrect
notions on this subject, though it is to him that we are indebted
for the actual discovery of the cause of this disease. He says,
' when the membrane becomes inflamed, it separates from the
bone, and the death of the tooth is the consequence. That
this is the proximate cause of caries,' he continues, ' appears
to be highly probable, by remarking that a caries of other bones
is caused by a separation of those membranes which cover
them, and which are attached to them. Thus a separation of
the periosteum will cause a death of part of the tibia ; or that
of the pericranium* a caries of some bones of the head.' Ex-
clusive of the circumstance that caries is, in this passage con-
founded with necrosis, it contains in every respect, a false
view of the question. It is extraordinary that this author,
arriving as he did at so near an approximation to the true
cause of the disease, should have at once confounded not only
caries with gangrene, but partial gangrene with the total death
of the tooth. If inflammation go on to such an extent as to
* Pericranium, the membrane which invests the externa) Furfnce of
the skull.
6G Diseases of ihe Teeth.
the internal part of the tooth goes on, until the enamel is broken
away, and a caries is discovered.
" I could mention many cases in corroboration of this state-
ment, and produce several examples of teeth with the decay
extending through the internal part, whilst the enamel re-
mained perfectly sound."- Fox's Natural History of the Teeth.
Part II, page 11.
Mr. Thomas Bell, who has written the beat work upon the
teeth observes:
" It is I believe, only by recurring to the vitality of the
teeth, modified as it certainly is by the peculiarities of their
structure, that we can arrive at the true explanation of the
nature, the cause and the progress of dental gangrene. Mr.
Fox, apparently from his well intended, but overweening
fondness for discovering in the diseases of the teeth a perfect
analogy with those of other bones, was led to form incorrect
notions on this subject, though it is to him that we are indebted
for the actual discovery of the cause of this disease. He says,
' when the membrane becomes inflamed, it separates from the
bone, and the death of the tooth is the consequence. That
this is the proximate cause of caries,' he continues, ' appears
to be highly probable, by remarking that a caries of other bones
is caused by a separation of those membranes which cover
them, and which are attached to them. Thus a separation of
the periosteum will cause a death of part of the tibia ; or that
of the pericranium* a caries of some bones of the head.' Ex-
clusive of the circumstance that caries is, in this passage con-
founded with necrosis, it contains in every respect, a false
view of the question. It is extraordinary that this author,
arriving as he did at so near an approximation to the true
cause of the disease, should have at once confounded not only
caries with gangrene, but partial gangrene with the total death
of the tooth. If inflammation go on to such an extent as to
* Pericranium, the membrane which invests the externa) Furfnce of
the skull.
