58 DESCRIPTION OF AN INVERTED TOOTH. 



tooth, althougli it was by no means clear that it 

 was the primary cause of the mischief. On re- 

 moval, a most unusual state of things was mani- 

 fested. Instead of possessing the two compressed 

 fangs common to second molars of the lower jaw, 

 the unplanted portion of the tooth was dilated 

 into one large concavity or cup, in which was 

 placed the crown of the second tooth, perfectly 

 invested with well- developed enamel, and with the 

 masticating surface directed downwards towards 

 the lower border of the jaw. The two teeth 

 appear to be united by dentine at one point, and 

 to have one common pulp-cavity. 



The pain from the operation quickly subsided, 

 and within a fortnight all swelling and pain in the 

 soft parts had disappeared; the enlargement in the 

 bone had also sensibly diminished. 



The result of the operation leaves but little room 

 to doubt that the inverted tooth was the primary 

 source of mischief, and that the strumous diathesis 

 of the patient favoured the development of the 

 disease. But the question as to the manner in 

 which the morbid conditions were developed, re- 

 mains to be answered. That answer will, I think, 

 be found by referring to the cases alluded to at 

 the commencement of this paper. In them we 

 have an opportunity of examining the conditions 

 as they gradually arise, and can see that the fluid 

 collects between the enamel and that portion of 

 the dental sac which surrounds the enamel. Now, 



