THE TEETH. 



645 



tion, which did not extend above the stage of hyperplasia or hypertrophy. In 

 a few specimens of mainly fibrous structure, I have seen the bundles of 

 medullated nerve-fibers transformed into rows of fat-globules. 



Should the inflammation reach a high degree, the inflammatory corpuscles 

 will become separated from each other, torn apart, and the result is the 

 formation of pus, which, as a matter of course, is no subject of microscopical 

 research. An intense inflammatory process very soon may lead to an engorge- 

 ment of the afferent vessels and their strangulation by pressure. In this 

 instance, death and putrefaction of the inflamed pulp will ensue. 



Calcification and Waxy Degeneration. Deposition of lime-salts in the pulp- 

 tissue is very common. It presents itself in the shape of globular, elongated, 

 or irregular formations, of a more or less lobate surface and a high degree of 

 refracting power. The age of the person apparently has nothing to do with 



FIG. 281. PULPITIS. 



8, secondary dentine; B, bay-like excavations filled with medullary or inflammatory 

 corpuscles; M, multinuclear body; V, blood-vessel in transverse section. Magnified 300 

 diameters. 



the calcification of the pulp. I have numerous specimens of calcified pulps 

 from apparently sound bicuspids and first and third molars of young persons, 

 which were extracted on account of irregularity or want of room. Some 

 of the wisdom teeth were removed when only one or two of their cusps 

 had pierced the gums ; still, their pulps exhibited calcareous depositions, as 

 well as eburnifications. 



Pulps containing a larger number of calcified spiculae, as a rule, exhibit 

 more fibrous connective tissue than myxomatous. Around the calcareous 

 masses invariably a dense ensheathing layer of fibrous connective tissue has 



