1024 CHARACTERISTICS OF DIFFERENT AGES. 



foundation of them is laid at an earlier period ; for the papilla of the first is 

 distinguishable at the 16th week after conception, that of the second at the 

 7th month after birth, and that of the third at the 6th year. In the suc- 

 cessive replacement of the "milk" teeth by the "permanent" set, a very 

 regular order is usually followed. The middle Incisors are first shed and 

 renewed, and then the lateral Incisors. The anterior " milk " Molars next 

 follow ; and these are replaced by the anterior Bicuspid teeth. About a 

 year afterwards, the posterior " milk " Molars are shed, and are replaced in 

 like manner by Bicuspid teeth. The Canines are the last of the " milk " 

 teeth to be exchanged ; in the succeeding year, the second pair of the true 

 Molars appear ; but the third pair, or denies sapient-ice, are seldom developed 

 until three or four years subsequently, and often much later. 



871. It has been proposed 1 (and from the evidence adduced in its favor, 

 the proposition would seem entitled to considerable attention) to adopt the 

 successive stages in the Second Dentition, as standards for estimating the 

 physical capabilities of Children, especially in regard to those two periods 

 which the Factory Laws render it of the greatest importance to determine: 

 namely, the ages of nine and thirteen years. Previously to the former, a 

 Child is not permitted to work at all ; and up to the latter, it may be only 

 employed during nine hours a day. The necessities or the cupidity of 

 Parents are continually inducing them to misrepresent the ages of their chil- 

 dren ; and it has been found desirable, therefore to seek for some test, by 

 which the capability of the Child may be determined, without a knowledge 

 of its age. A standard of Height has been adopted by the Legislature for 

 this purpose; but upon grounds which, physiologically considered, are very 

 erroneous ; since, as is well known, the tallest children are frequently the 

 weakliest ( 868). According to Mr. Saunders, the degree of advance of 

 the Second Dentition may be regarded as a much more correct standard of 

 the degree of general development of the organic frame and of its physical 

 powers; and it appears from his inquiries, that it may be relied on as a 

 guide to the real age in a large proportion of cases ; whilst no serious or in- 

 jurious mistake can ever arise from its use. It may happen that local or 

 constitutional causes may have slightly retarded the development of the 

 Teeth ; in which case the age of the individual would rather be underesti- 

 mated, and no harm could ensue ; on the other hand, instances of premature 

 development of the Teeth very rarely, if ever, occur ; so that there is little 

 danger of imputing to a Child a capability for exertion which he does not 

 possess, as the test of height is continually doing. Moreover, if such an ad- 

 vance in Dentition should occur, it might probably be regarded as indicative 

 of a corresponding advance in the development of the whole organism ; so 

 that the real capability would be such as the teeth represent it. The fol- 

 lowing is Mr. Saunders's statement of the Ages at which the " permanent" 

 Teeth respectively appear : The first true Molars usually present themselves 

 towards the end of the seventh year. Occasionally one of them protrudes 

 from the gum at 6, or more frequently at 6^ years of age ; but the evolution 

 of the whole of them may be regarded as an almost infallible sign of the 

 Child being 7 years old. In other instances, where the tooth on one side of 

 the mouth is freely developed, it is fair to reckon the two as having emerged 

 from their capsules ; since the development of the other must be considered 

 as retarded. This rule only holds good, however, in regard to teeth in the 

 same row ; for the development of the teeth in either jaw must not be inferred 



1 The Teeth a Test of Age, considered with reference to the Factory Children. 

 By Edwin Saunders. 



