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156 HUNTER ON THE TEETH.
OF TRANSPLANTING THE TEETH.
From considering the almost constant variety of the size and
shape of the same class of Teeth in different people, it would
appear almost impossible to find the Tooth of one person that
should fit, with any degree of exactness, the socket of another
and this observation is supported, and indeed would seem to be
proved by observing the Teeth in skeletons. Yet we can
actually transplant a Tooth from one person to another, without
great difficulty, nature assisting the operation, if it is done in
such a way that she can assist ; and the only way in which
nature can assist, with respect either to size or shape, is by
having the fang of the transplanted Tooth rather smaller than
the socket. The socket, in this case grows to the Tooth. If
the fang is too large, it is impossible indeed to insert it at all
in that state ; however, if the fang should be originally too
large, it may be made less ; and this seems to answer the
purpose as well.
The success of this operation is founded on a disposition in
all living substances, to unite when brought into contact with
one another ; although they are of a different structure ; and even
although the circulation is only carried on in one of them.
thing happens also in the coats of incysted tumours, which are constantly-
distended ; in cases of distentions of the Tunica Vaginalis Testis, &c. It is
also apt to take place in parts which have lost their natural functions
;
as in the coats of the eye in cases of blindness, and in diseased lymphatic
glands, &c, and where the living power is diminished in the system, as
in the arteries, membranes, &c, of old people ; and in some particular
habits, as in those who are affected by the gout.
The same sort of deposition takes place likewise where there is any
substance with such properties as render it a fit Basis for crystallization
;
as when extraneous bodies are lodged in the bladder : whence such
bodies are so often found to form the Nucleus of a stone. The same
thing happens in the bowels of many animals ; whence the Nucleus of
intestinal concretions, or bezoars, is commonly a nail, or some indigestible
substance which had been swallowed. The crust, which collects upon the
Teeth, seems to be a crystallization of the same nature.
156 HUNTER ON THE TEETH.
OF TRANSPLANTING THE TEETH.
From considering the almost constant variety of the size and
shape of the same class of Teeth in different people, it would
appear almost impossible to find the Tooth of one person that
should fit, with any degree of exactness, the socket of another
and this observation is supported, and indeed would seem to be
proved by observing the Teeth in skeletons. Yet we can
actually transplant a Tooth from one person to another, without
great difficulty, nature assisting the operation, if it is done in
such a way that she can assist ; and the only way in which
nature can assist, with respect either to size or shape, is by
having the fang of the transplanted Tooth rather smaller than
the socket. The socket, in this case grows to the Tooth. If
the fang is too large, it is impossible indeed to insert it at all
in that state ; however, if the fang should be originally too
large, it may be made less ; and this seems to answer the
purpose as well.
The success of this operation is founded on a disposition in
all living substances, to unite when brought into contact with
one another ; although they are of a different structure ; and even
although the circulation is only carried on in one of them.
thing happens also in the coats of incysted tumours, which are constantly-
distended ; in cases of distentions of the Tunica Vaginalis Testis, &c. It is
also apt to take place in parts which have lost their natural functions
;
as in the coats of the eye in cases of blindness, and in diseased lymphatic
glands, &c, and where the living power is diminished in the system, as
in the arteries, membranes, &c, of old people ; and in some particular
habits, as in those who are affected by the gout.
The same sort of deposition takes place likewise where there is any
substance with such properties as render it a fit Basis for crystallization
;
as when extraneous bodies are lodged in the bladder : whence such
bodies are so often found to form the Nucleus of a stone. The same
thing happens in the bowels of many animals ; whence the Nucleus of
intestinal concretions, or bezoars, is commonly a nail, or some indigestible
substance which had been swallowed. The crust, which collects upon the
Teeth, seems to be a crystallization of the same nature.
