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52 CARIES 0E THE TEETH.

CAUSES OF CARIES.

The causes of caries of the teeth may be considered
— predisposing and ex-
under two general divisions
citing. Of the former some are original, others
accidental. The original development of the consti-
tution may be defective, either from original or from

accidental defect in the parent; but more certainly
from the former. Constitutional characteristics are
transmissible, and a defect is as surely hereditary as
anything else. In the fetus, during gestation, there
may have originated germs from which perfect organs
can never be developed, and these germs may be
more or less defective according to the constitutional
condition of the mother, or according to accidental
conditions to which she may be subject, and which
may seriously affect the fetus. After birth, too, the
child is exposed to injurious impressions, which will,
to a greater or less degree, render the development

defective ; as imperfect nourishment and the diseases
and functional derangements peculiar to childhood.
A diseased condition, or functional derangement, will
interrupt the proper elimination and perfect upbuild-
ing of the materials necessary for the perfect struct-
ure; and indeed anything that will disturb the
equilibrium of action in the system, may be detri-
mental to the teeth.