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140 FILLING TEETH.

circumstances ; but with such constitutions and cir-
cumstances, where the softening is not too extensive,
and the decomposition but partial, it may be per-

mitted to remain, with a strong probability of a
favorable result. This would certainly be better
than to cut it all away and expose and perhaps
wound the pulp, and then endeavor to cover it with
some wholly foreign material that would not be per-
fectly adapted to it, that would press a little too hard
at one point, and not touch at another, and that would
be quite as liable to be pressed down on the pulp as
'
the softened dentine.
In this discussion, much depends upon the point
whether partially decomposed dentine can retain its
vitality. This it is not now proposed to consider.
There are some particulars in regard to the removal
of decay, however, about which there is no diversity
of opinion : first, that all decomposed dentine should
be removed from all parts of the cavity, where the
pulp would not be exposed or injured thereby; and
that in all cases it should be entirely removed from
the lateral walls of the cavity, and especially from
the vicinity of the orifice. Even discolored dentine
should be removed from this point.
Dentine often becomes changed in color when
there is no apparent decomposition; such portion is
usually, though not always, without vitality. It is