Page 144 - My FlipBook

118 THE MICRO-OROANISMS OF THE HUMAN MOUTH.

evidence. The question now arises whether, in the hght of the
facts recorded ahove, such a process can occur in the mouth l)y
the agency of a " ferment nitrique" ? This question can be solved
by experiment only. The fact that nitric acid does not occur in
the mouth in appreciable quantities speaks against it. Further-
more, the process of nitritication demands an abundant supply
of air, Avhile the centers of fermentation in the mouth are but
sparingly supplied. The assumption that not oxidations l)ut re-
ductions may take place in the human mouth to some extent is
much more in accordance with our knowledge of the conditions
under which oxidizing or reducing processes may be etfected by
bacteria.
The nitrous acid compound found with tolerable constancy in
mixed saliva we may presume to be formed l)y the reduction
(denitrilication) of nitrates contained in water and in vegetable
nutrients.
It is, to say the least, very doubtful whether the fermentations
mentioned on page 27, in which lactic, acetic, butyric, and pro-
pionic acids, etc., are formed, take place in the oral cavity to any
considerable extent. No experiments have been made relating
to this matter.