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OF REPLACING A SOUND TOOTH, ETC. 235
that it is diseased, because it gives pain, but appears after
the extraction to be perfectly sound. In such a case I would
recommend the replacing it ; that there may be no loss by
the operation; and the seat of the brain will probably be
removed to the next Tooth. A Tooth beat out by violence,
should be replaced in the same manner. This ought to be
done as soon as possible ; however, I would even recommend
the experiment twenty four hours after the accident, or as
long as the Socket will receive the Tooth which may be
for some days.
If the Tooth be replaced at any time before its life is de-
stroyed, it will re-unite with the cavity of the Socket, and be
as fast as ever.
No Tooth is excepted from this practice ; for although in
the Grinders there are more fangs than one, yet these fangs
will as readily go into their respective Sockets as one fang
would ; and most probably when the Tooth has been beat
out, the Sockets are enlarged by their giving way.
However, the Grinders are not so subject to such acci-
dents as the fore Teeth, both from their situation, and from
their firmness in the Sockets.
Where a Tooth has been only loosened, or shoved out in
part, the patient must not hesitate, but replace it immediately.
As a proof of the success to be expected from replacing
Teeth, I will relate the following case.
A gentleman had his first bicuspis knocked out, and the
second loosened. The first was driven quite into his mouth,
and he spit it out upon the ground ; but immediately picked
it up and put it into his pocket. Some hours afterwards he
called upon me, mentioned the accident, and shewed me the
Tooth. Upon examining his mouth, I found the second
bicuspis very loose, but pretty much in its place. The Tooth,
which had been knocked out, was not quite dry, but very
dirty, having dropped on the ground, and having been some
time in his pocket. 1 immediately put it into warm water,
let it stay there to soften, washed it as clean as possible, and