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 will confirm them. From one jaw will be felt a 

 molar projecting far above the level of the rest, and 

 in a like degree will the opposing tooth in the other 

 jaw be found depressed — worn down actually to the 

 gum. All is now clear; and the question is, what 

 shall be done ? In the first place the condition of 

 the mouth has certainly deranged the digestive 

 organs, and, where there is room for choice, no 

 operation, however simple or apparently safe, should 

 be undertaken while the stomach is out of order. 

 The seat of the disease is known, but the general 

 health is first attended to ; and when that has been 

 in some measure re-established, the great object of 

 the surgeon is fit to be accomplished. The question 

 is, which of the teeth are to be interfered with ? 

 One is diseased or dead, and there can be no doubt 

 that the diseased tooth should be removed. That 

 which is unnaturally long, obviously indicates that 

 its power of growth is retained ; and though hyper- 

 trophy is an abnormal action, teeth are not parts 

 liable to that species of affection. The one which 

 by its growth indicates vitality, therefore displays 

 no symptom of disease ; but the tooth that is reduced 

 to the level of the gums, tells us that its power of 



