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38 PATHOLOGY OF THE HABD TISSUES OF THE TEETH.
lead to further knowledge of the formation of this tissue. Cer-
tainly the facts developed show that either the functioning tissue
or the functioning of the tissue that forms the enamel rods is
so different from that which forms the cementing substance
between the rods that the rods may be formed and the cementing
substance fail. Also, we have seen in the illustrations many
faihues of the enamel rods with the space filled in part with
something else apparently without histological form. This some-
thing may be the cementing substance that should be only
between the enamel rods. According to this view, atrophy of
the teeth presents three distinct phases
(1.) An atrophy due to a period of malnutrition, affecting
those parts of several teeth at the time in process of formation.
This may cause the failure of formation of all parts of the enamel
and dentin in the zone involved, as seen generally in atrophied
teeth.
(2.) An atrophy of the enamel rods occurring in spots,
as seen in pits.
(3.) An atrophy of the cementing substance between the
enamel rods, as seen in the white spots often seen in the enamel,
and in the enamel of the whole denture in rare cases, as in the
two I have described.
The first is clearly due to a general malnutrition and is seen
only on the parts of teeth contemporaneously in formation at
a period of illness. The second is in part seen to occur in process
of general malnutrition, but often occurs independently of this,
so far as can now be discovered. The third, so far as can now
be seen, depends upon some condition of malnutrition as yet
unknown.
I think Dr. Callow's case should be regarded as a deformity,
not an atrophy.
38 PATHOLOGY OF THE HABD TISSUES OF THE TEETH.
lead to further knowledge of the formation of this tissue. Cer-
tainly the facts developed show that either the functioning tissue
or the functioning of the tissue that forms the enamel rods is
so different from that which forms the cementing substance
between the rods that the rods may be formed and the cementing
substance fail. Also, we have seen in the illustrations many
faihues of the enamel rods with the space filled in part with
something else apparently without histological form. This some-
thing may be the cementing substance that should be only
between the enamel rods. According to this view, atrophy of
the teeth presents three distinct phases
(1.) An atrophy due to a period of malnutrition, affecting
those parts of several teeth at the time in process of formation.
This may cause the failure of formation of all parts of the enamel
and dentin in the zone involved, as seen generally in atrophied
teeth.
(2.) An atrophy of the enamel rods occurring in spots,
as seen in pits.
(3.) An atrophy of the cementing substance between the
enamel rods, as seen in the white spots often seen in the enamel,
and in the enamel of the whole denture in rare cases, as in the
two I have described.
The first is clearly due to a general malnutrition and is seen
only on the parts of teeth contemporaneously in formation at
a period of illness. The second is in part seen to occur in process
of general malnutrition, but often occurs independently of this,
so far as can now be discovered. The third, so far as can now
be seen, depends upon some condition of malnutrition as yet
unknown.
I think Dr. Callow's case should be regarded as a deformity,
not an atrophy.
