COGSWELL — ON THE HUMAN TEETH. 163 



while onlv the skeleton or orofanic remains of the teeth are left. 

 No. 6 of the lowest structure is deprived of its enamel ; 1st, owing 

 to its deficiency, proving that the loss of these organs vary from two 

 reasons, viz : from the action of the chemical agents upon low form- 

 ed teeth. 2nd, the deficiency of earthy constituents in the early for- 

 mation of these organs. While the teeth of animals are made to 

 subserve their purpose during life, by the peculiar process of shedding 

 and replacement, well may we ask why it is that those of the high- 

 est class of organization in man should be so early lost ; that 

 premature decay causes so many edentulous males and females 

 before the age of 20, and often as early as 12 and 18, the j^eriod of 

 full bloom and vigor, when all the physical powers require to be in 

 the fullest enjoyment of health, and activity? But it is a fact that 

 among the people of British North America, and especially in the 

 United States, where scrofulous diseases are transmissable, the 

 offspring of such parents inv-ariably suffer from their injurious influ- 

 ences, and if this taint passes through the blood it is not to be 

 wondered that thousands fill up the bills of mortality of that fatal dis- 

 ease, " scrofulous consumption ;" and if while those who live are only 

 improperly fed, have little outdoor exercise, excessive excitement, 

 irregular rest, and are at best almost walking skeletons^ what can 

 be expected otherwise than an imperfect organization of every part 

 of the human body ; while not only among the higher classes and 

 wealthier, but among the lowliest, many partake of the dele- 

 terious domestic compounds and luxuries, which contain at best 

 slight nourishment, which, if suitable for invalids, are entirely 

 imfit for those who are already possessed of weak and delicate con- 

 stitutions. Under these circumstances what can we expect, with 

 our hothouse, modern-improved mode of living, breathing the in- 

 door carbonized and sulphuretted atmosphere, in place of the 

 oxygenated atmosphere, the one only gift God has given to stimu- 

 late and purify our blood ? It is not at all strange then that the 

 constant abuse and violation of nature's laws should so rapidly fix 

 upon us ''all the ills that flesh is heir to." Therefore the loss of 

 the human teeth, like the worn out videttes of a beaten army, give 

 early tokens of functional or organic disease. It is the immutable 

 principle of nature to proceed in every step of her operations by 



