Page 153 - My FlipBook

THE DECAY OF THE TEETH. 127

decay of the dentine, or so very seldom, that we could not for
a moment think of connecting them with the process of decay.
The mere detection of swelling or tumefaction of the dentinal
fibrils is no evidence that decay is the restdt of inflammatory
action. The custom of certain dental pathologists to assume
that every variation from the normal detected in the tissue is of
an inflammatory nature is about as rational as it would be for
the general histologist to ascribe the many post-mortem changes
Avhich take place in delicate tissues, while being prepared for
examination, to inflammation.
I do not say that changes of a vital nature may not take place
in the dentinal flltrils as a result of the action of the decay-pro-
ducing agents, or in connection with inflammation of the pulp.
Indeed, it would l)e strange if the acids penetrating the dentine
and bathing the fibrils did not produce some change in them.
But it remains to be shown that in either case these changes
either produce decay or accelerate the process when once estab-
lished.
Heitzmann's^^ attempt to exphiin the inability of others to see
things under the microscope just as he sees them, on the ground
that they work with inferior lenses or that their eyes have not
been properly educated, can scarcely be said to meet all the re-
quirements of a final argument. Anyone disposed to make use
of the same sort of argument might be led to inquire whether
Heitzmann and some of his followers have not sometimes seen
just a bit too well.
2. It is not possible to produce decay of the tooth, or anything
resembling decay, by means of any or all of those mechanical or ^^
chemical agents which invariably produce inflammation in other
tissues.
AVe all know very well that we may file, grind, saw, bore, and
pound the living dentine, may break away large portions with
the forceps, or subject it to the action of the most irritating sub-
stances; indeed, we may do what we please with it, we cannot
produce in this way a trace of caries.
The operation of filling teeth is of itself a continued testimo-
nial to the inconsistency of the inflammatory theory of decay;
for we know very well what would result if we should bore a