124 EARLY DESTRUCTION OF THE TEETH. 



wealthy portion of the community for the preserva- 

 tion of the teeth. 



I was informed by Dr. Fraser that a similar idea 

 had been suggested by the Director-General of 

 the Medical Department of the Army, Andrew 

 Smith, M.D., and that circulars had been issued to 

 all medical officers in her Majesty's service, directing 

 their best attention to the subject, and pointing out 

 the important advantages that must accrue to the 

 men under their care from the introduction of the 

 improved modes of treatment in dental surgery ; by 

 obviating the necessity of having so frequent recourse 

 to the forceps ; by adding to the comfort and health 

 of the soldier ; and by securing a greater degree of 

 efficiency for military service. 



Unlike the internal organs of the body, the teeth 

 are easily inspected by the practised eye of the 

 experienced dentist ; and with the aid of the mouth 

 glass and the bent probe, the defects are readily 

 ■discerned. There is no difficulty in discovering 

 decay in its first stages. Nay, from the first ap- 

 pearance of the teeth through the gums, it may be 

 foreseen from their construction which of them, 

 and what parts of them, are predisposed to decay. 

 The only situations where caries may commence 

 and proceed without detection till it becomes 

 irremediable, are the interstices of the double 

 teeth. 



I am not aware that much light has been thrown 

 upon the cause of the teeth's destruction, or that 



