Page 171 - My FlipBook

OF CLEANING THE TEETH. 155
therefore all acids, gritty powders, and injudicious methods of
scaling the Tcoth are prejudicial : but simply scaling the Teeth,
that is clearing them of the stony concretions which frequently
collect about their necks, while nothing is scraped off but that ad-
ventitious substance, is proper and useful, (r) If not removed by
art, the quantity of the stony matter is apt to increase, and to aifect
the gum. This matter first begins to form on the Tooth near
to the Gum ; but not in the very angle, because the motion of
the Gum commonly prevents the accumulation of it at this part.
I have seen it cover not only the whole Tooth, but a great part
of the Gum : in this case there is always an accumulation of a
very putrid matter, frequently considerable tenderness and
ulceration of the Gum, and scaling becomes absolutely neces-

* The animal fluids, when out oi' the course of the general circulation,
especially when they stagnate in cavities, are apt to deposit an absorbent
earth, and form concretions. This earth is sometimes contained in the
fluids ; and is only deposited ; as in the formation of the stone in the uri-
nary passages : in some cases, perhaps, the fluids undergo a change, by
which the earth is first formed, and afterwards deposited. This deposi-
tion takes place particularly in weakened parts, or where the circulation
is languid, or where there are few arteries, such as about joints and ten-
dons ; as if it were intended to strengthen these parts, if they should at
any time give way ; for if an artery, for instance, is overcome by the
action of the heart, and unnaturally dilated, its coats have commonly
these concretions formed everywhere in their interstices. The same

(r) [Tartar consists of matters precipitated from the saliva, and oral
and pulmonary mucus. Epithelial scales, and occasionally infusorial
animalcules, contribute to its formation. Simon says : " Tartar on the
human teeth consists of earthy phosphates, epithelium scales, a little
ptyalin, and fat, and when examined under the microscope, there are
seen abundance of pavement epithelium and mucus corpuscles. And in
addition to these, numerous long acicular bodies and infusoria of the
genera vibrio and monas.] (1)

(1) Vide Tomes op. cit. , p. 536. Simon's Annual Chemistry, translated by
Day.