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OF THE DISEASES OF THE TEETH. 153
more easy digestion : and they, as well as his other organs of
digestion, are fitted for the conversion of both animal and vege-
table substances into blood ; and thence he is able to live in a
much greater variety of circumstances than any other animal,
and has more opportunities of exercising the faculties of his
mind. He ought, therefore, to be considered as a compound,
fitted equally to live upon flesh and upon vegetables, (p)
OF THE DISEASES OF THE TEETH.
The Teeth are subject to diseases as well as other parts of
the body. Whatever the disorder is that affects them, it is
generally attended with pain ; and from this indeed we com-
monly first know that they are affected.
Pain in the Teeth proceeds, I believe, in a great measure, from
the air coming into contact with the nerve in the cavity of the
Tooth ; for we seldom see people affected with the Tooth-ach,
but when the cavity is exposed to the air.
It is not easy to say by what means the cavity comes to be
exposed.
The most common disease to which the Teeth are subject,
begins with a small, dark coloured speck, generally on
the side of the Tooth where it is not exposed to pressure
from what cause this arises is hitherto unknown. The sub-
stance of the Tooth thus discoloured, gradually decays, and an
opening is made into the cavity. As soon as the air is thereby
admitted, a considerable' degree of pain arises, which is probably
owing to the admission of the air, as it may be prevented by
filling the cavity with lead, wax, &c. This pain is not always
present ; the food, and other substances, perhaps fill up the
hole occasionally, and prevent the access of the air, and of con-
sequence the pain, during the time they remain in it. When
(p) [Professor Owen has observed that man's teeth seem originally
formed to " eat of the fruit of the garden."]
OF THE DISEASES OF THE TEETH. 153
more easy digestion : and they, as well as his other organs of
digestion, are fitted for the conversion of both animal and vege-
table substances into blood ; and thence he is able to live in a
much greater variety of circumstances than any other animal,
and has more opportunities of exercising the faculties of his
mind. He ought, therefore, to be considered as a compound,
fitted equally to live upon flesh and upon vegetables, (p)
OF THE DISEASES OF THE TEETH.
The Teeth are subject to diseases as well as other parts of
the body. Whatever the disorder is that affects them, it is
generally attended with pain ; and from this indeed we com-
monly first know that they are affected.
Pain in the Teeth proceeds, I believe, in a great measure, from
the air coming into contact with the nerve in the cavity of the
Tooth ; for we seldom see people affected with the Tooth-ach,
but when the cavity is exposed to the air.
It is not easy to say by what means the cavity comes to be
exposed.
The most common disease to which the Teeth are subject,
begins with a small, dark coloured speck, generally on
the side of the Tooth where it is not exposed to pressure
from what cause this arises is hitherto unknown. The sub-
stance of the Tooth thus discoloured, gradually decays, and an
opening is made into the cavity. As soon as the air is thereby
admitted, a considerable' degree of pain arises, which is probably
owing to the admission of the air, as it may be prevented by
filling the cavity with lead, wax, &c. This pain is not always
present ; the food, and other substances, perhaps fill up the
hole occasionally, and prevent the access of the air, and of con-
sequence the pain, during the time they remain in it. When
(p) [Professor Owen has observed that man's teeth seem originally
formed to " eat of the fruit of the garden."]
