116 EARLY DESTRUCTION OF THE TEETH. 



forty years before chemical action has proceeded so 

 far as to lay open the internal membrane, and pro- 

 duce toothache. 



If we inquire into the nature of the successful 

 operations, constantly being performed for the pur- 

 pose of retarding or effectually arresting the evil to 

 which the teeth are so liable, we shall find them to 

 be in strict accordance with the view now taken of 

 the exciting cause of their destruction. For example, 

 we find a pit upon the surface of one of the molar 

 teeth, and we know from experience what will be 

 the result if this be neglected. Before, then, the 

 membrane has become exposed and inflamed, we 

 proceed effectually to remove the decomposed 

 matter, to wipe the cavity dry, and firmly and 

 securely to fill it up with gold ; and if this opera- 

 tion be judiciously performed, the destructive agent 

 is for the future deprived of its resting-place, and 

 the tooth is saved. 



Now, we know, from our study of the laws of the 

 animal economy, that the presence of a foreign sub- 

 stance in other parts of the body will certainly be 

 attended with inflammation of such parts ; but does 

 this occur in the bone of a tooth ? Why, the 

 gold introduced into the cavity of the bone not 

 only excites no inflammation there, but actually 

 arrests the very process of decay itself, and has 

 been known to remain in such situations for forty 

 years without producing the slightest irritation. 



Again, the operation of filing the teeth has the 



