SYPHILIS ON THE TEETH. 97 



now and then exfoliated by the acuteness of the 

 inflammation. This is a rare occurrence, but it' is 

 important when it does happen, as a proof that 

 the stomatitis does really involve the alveolar 

 structures. 



Another instance on this point to which I will 

 ask your attention, is that of an infant seven 

 weeks old. In this case four teeth came away. 

 This infant was at the time under my care at the 

 Ophthalmic Hospital for inflammation of the eyes, 

 attended with the usual symptoms of syphilis. 



A rapid, too early, and very irregular evolution 

 of the first set of teeth, must also be enumerated 

 as one of the results of syphilitic periostitis during 

 the first few months of life. I have already re- 

 marked, that as the periostitis referred to, occurs 

 subsequently to the complete calcification of the 

 temporary teeth, the only effect it can have upon 

 them is to impair their nutrition. On the per- 

 manent set its influence is altogether different. 

 Existing as yet as mere soft pulps, they receive 

 fi'om it an inflammation, which affects the very 

 capsules in which they are moulded, and 

 which contributes to their development an in- 

 delible stamp. Becoming subsequently hard and 

 changeless, they bear throughout the patient' s^ 

 whole subsequent life the footprints of his in- 

 herited disease. (It is in proof of this assertion 

 I beg to adduce the portraits and casts now 

 before you.) In regard to the diagnosis of the 



H 



