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58 CARIES OF THE TEETH.

sidered that the teeth, in many cases, are not equally
well organized in all their parts ; that some parts are
not so well protected as others ; and that between the

teeth there is room for the retention of saliva and
foreign substances, which there combine their influ-
ence upon them. In cases in which there is a great
quantity of viscid saliva constantly flowing, the teeth
decay very rapidly. The decay is of a light color
so light, indeed, that, in many instances, it is difficult
to distinguish it, by this, from undecomposed dentine.
The gastric fluid often becomes deranged by irrita-
tion or disease of the stomach, so that the function

of the latter is very imperfectly performed, and fer-
mentation of the food occurs, evolving agents that
injuriously affect the teeth. In dyspepsia, such agents
are often brought in contact with the teeth by eructa-
tion and vomiting; and the diseased gastric fluid,
which contains a large proportion of hydrochloric acid,
is also thus brought in contact with them, acting upon
them with great violence. After food commingled
with this secretion is ejected from the stomach, the
teeth will be found eroded over all their surfaces.
Dyspeptics will appreciate this remark. In such

cases, if the teeth are not of superior organization,
they are destroyed in a short time. Their surfaces
thus roughened, afford a lodgment for foreign sub-
stances on all parts.