XXXI 



IVORY 



397 



out the abscess cavity with warm water, 

 an abscess formed in con- 

 nection with the stump of 

 the other tusk : this was 

 opened with a pruning 

 knife and without resist- 

 ance from the huge patient. 



It is quite common to 

 find masses of badly formed 

 dentine as big as potatoes 

 in tusks, occasionally free 

 in pulp cavity, more often 

 attached to its inner wall 

 like a stalactite. Some- 

 times a tusk consists of a 

 wall of variable thickness 

 enclosing a cavity extend- 

 ing throughout its length 

 into which the hand and 

 forearm can be easily in- 

 troduced. The cavity of 

 such a tusk usually pos- 

 sesses rough masses of 

 secondary dentine on its 

 walls. It is not uncom- 

 mon on dividing the solid 

 part of a tusk to find a 

 piece of secondary dentine 

 completely embedded in the 

 ivory. Small pieces of 

 hard tissue, resembling in 

 size and shape split peas or 

 brans, are very common 

 in tusks. These defects 

 are known in the trade as 

 "beans." 



Every large collection of 

 tusks contains some of a spiral shape. 



Subsequently 



Spiral Tusks. This abnormal curving 

 is due to disease limited to a part 

 of the pulp causing the ivory to be 

 formed more slowly (and badly) on 

 one side than the other. (Museum 

 of the Royal College of Surgeons, 

 England. ) 



This abnormal 



