EARLY DESTRUCTION OF THE TEETH. 117 



same object and- principle as that of filling them. 

 When decay takes place on the lateral edge of an 

 upper incisor, the carious part, owing to the thin- 

 ness of the edge, or the shallowness of the decay^ 

 its position or formation, may not admit of filling, 

 therefore //eV/ty is resorted to. And why? In order 

 that the carious part may be removed, and a sepa- 

 ration from the adjoining tooth efiected, whereby 

 the parts are made plain and smooth, and the necks 

 and points of union, which had become a resting- 

 place for the remains of food, are done away with. 

 Hence, the exciting cause being removed, the evil is 

 remedied, and decay proceeds no further. Of course 

 it is to be understood that these operations have 

 been performed in the earlier stages of decay, and 

 before it has penetrated to the internal cavity, 

 otherwise preventive measures will not be available. 

 We often hear of the success of the operation in 

 removing the nerves of a tooth after they have 

 been exposed, and then filling up the ducts with 

 gold to the extreme points of the fangs. But, after 

 many years' experience, I cannot say that /have 

 met with much success from filling when the mem- 

 brane had becoine exposed and inflamed. The 

 inflammation is not always confined to the internal 

 membrane ; it often extends to the periosteum, and 

 he must indeed be an expert operator who can get 

 rid of this membrane and save the tooth. Doubtless, 

 every means should be employed to reduce the 

 inflammation, and if possible save the tooth by 



