66 THE RE-UNION OF TEETH 



the toughest beefsteak he had ever put his teeth 

 into." 



Ten months after the accident I carefully 

 examined the tooth : beyond the fact of its edge 

 being slightly below that of the other central, 

 there was no manifest difference between them ; 

 but on a very close comparison the slightest differ- 

 ence of tint was discernible. The union of the 

 replaced tooth with the gum was so perfect, that 

 the most rigid examination with a probe betrayed 

 no evidence of what had taken place ; indeed, the 

 perfect uniformity of the two teeth was most 

 remarkable, and exhibited, in a striking manner, 

 the extraordinary reparative power of nature. 

 This proof of the tenacity of life in separated 

 parts is an illustration of how far we are justified 

 in relying on the capabilities of the system to 

 repair its injuries, beyond what has usually been 

 considered probable. 



Through the kindness of Mr. Parkinson I am 

 enabled to lay before you the particulars of a case 

 which, with the exception of a greater exercise 

 of care, has many features in common with the 

 above, especially that of the time which elapsed 

 before its replacement. 



Some thirty years since, before railways were 

 introduced, a lady, residing in the country, fell 

 down stairs and knocked out the two central 

 incisors ; they were at once picked up, placed in 

 tepid water, post-horses immediately ordered, 



