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332 THE MICRO-ORGANISMS OF THE HUMAN MOUTH.

of pyorrhd'a alveolaris is most easily studied in animals. Wild
animals kept in captivity, lap-dogs, especially pugs and other
lady's dogs, which have little exercise and eat all kinds of un-
healthy stuff, very often lose their teeth, exhibiting symptoms
characteristic of pyorrhoea alveolaris, while, as far as I could find
out, hunting dogs and such as live under natural conditions are
never or hut rarely aiflicted with it.
Dr. Frohner, professor at the veterinary high school of Berlin,
informed me that particularly dogs that are fed on potatoes,
farinaceous food, and sugar are often afflicted with this disease.
It also appears in connection with eru})tions on the skin, rheu-
matism, etc.
As regards the local excitation, it can be ftirnished either by
tartar, food-particles, or any other mechanical or chemical agent.
Perhaps no other part of the body is exposed to so manifold and
la>tiiig excitations (mechanical, chemical, thermal, etc.) as the
gums,—accumulations of tartar, particles of food ^^'hich are
wedged between the teeth, strongly-seasoned food and drink,
contact with food in a state of decomposition or fermentation,
sharp tooth-corners, etc.,—so that the power of resistance of the
gums must be very great to avoid being aftected.
It is still a matter of debate whether a local irritation be at all
requisite to the origination of the disease. I am not able to
form any decision regarding this matter, but so much is unc|ues-
tionably certain that the symptoms are greatly aggravated by
local irritations, and that a removal of all such irritations and
extreme cleanliness are imperatively necessary in contending
against this disease.
As regards the participation of bacteria in pyorrhoea alveolaris,
our present knowledge of suppurative inflammations compels
us to consider the former as the cause of the suppurations inci-
dent to this disease. Micro-organisms which possess pyogenic
properties temporarily or permanently inhabit every mouth.
If, therefore, the power of resistance of the peridental tissue
be impaired by any one of the above-mentioned local or con-
stitutional causes in such a manner as to furnish a suitable culture
medium for the bacteria, they will, of course, begin their ravages,
and the usual symptoms will follow.