IN THE LOWEU ANIMALS, ETC. 357 



reared racehorse, the pampered lapdog, and the 

 domesticated hog are all subjected to caries. 



We know, on reliable authority, that disease of 

 the teeth frequently occurred among the ancient 

 Egyptians, the Greeks, and the Romans ; and we 

 are but too well convinced of its accelerated pro- 

 gress in the highly artificial state of civilized 

 nations in the present day. 



On the other hand, if we examine the teeth 

 found in the ancient tumuli scattered over our 

 hills, which form almost the sole remaining link 

 between the present generation and the aboriginal 

 races of this island, we find the teeth sound, 

 although, as in the examples before you (taken 

 from a barrow on the Kentish Downs), the whole 

 of the tubercles are worn down, and in some of 

 the teeth the entire covering of enamel has been 

 abraded from the grinding surface of the molars ; 

 and we may find abundant parallels amongst the 

 savage races of our own day ; as, for example, in 

 the Papuan and Caffre skulls on the table. It 

 therefore appears reasonable to conclude that 

 dental caries is the result of the artificial condi- 

 tions of life, by deteriorating the race in succes- 

 sive generations, rather than in a prejudicial in- 

 fluence on the teeth of the individual. 



A point of so much practical importance de- 

 mands more particular investigation ; and I hope, 

 ere long, to present to your notice some detailed 

 results of my inquiries relative to the existence 



