990 General Notes. [November, 
The fact of decalcification has long been recognized in the pro- 
verb concerning mothers: “ For every child a tooth,” not, how- 
ever, that the material of the mother’s tooth is absolutely taken 
away to build up those of the child, as was once taught, but that 
the increased demand for building material not being met with 
increased supplies sufficient to meet the demands of both mother 
and child, the teeth of the former suffer the consequences of lack 
of supplies. 
The rapid decalcification thus occurring, is not a breaking 
down of the organiç structure, and, if the material necessary 
to recalcify, is provided in a form which nature can appropriate, 
this softening may be prevented, or teeth which are already soft- 
ened may be rendered hard and durable. - 
Observing these phenomena—this softening of teeth in persons 
coming from regions where good teeth are the rule, and the re- 
calcification following their return to their old homes—led me to 
investigate the relations between environment and the develop- 
ment of teeth. 
A careful observation of these phenomena not only showed the 
utter fallacy of the old dictum, that the teeth were subject to no 
changes after maturity, but also showed that there must be a sys- 
tem of circulation throughout the entire substance of the tooth, 
making this action of the nutrient function possible during the 
whole life of the tooth. ; 
The fact of decalcification and recalcification, and continued 
nutrient action during life, being established by long observation, 
suggested the study of the best modes or methods of aiding 
nature in the work of recalcification. 
Any possible change from ordinary diet, was found, as 4 
rule, entirely inadequate ; the natural suggestion of the direct ad- 
ministration of the phosphates—the chief inorganic elements 1? 
tooth substance—also proved entirely unsatisfactory, and led to 
the recognition of the truth that “nature will not take the ele- 
ments from any ready-made source, but must elaborate her own 
pabulum.” 
E Icification observed in the teeth of those visit- 
ing favorable regions was zot due to the use of lime in the shape 0 
phosphates, and that the difference between the nutrient elements 
of these same people, whether in the mountains or in the low- 
lands, lay more largely in the water they drank than in the foo 
they ate, suggested the administration of aqua calcis ; and on 
= was followed by results as eminently gratifying as the use of the 
phosphates had proved unsatisfactory. ee 
_ A new preparation of lime, in the form of a syrup of Cleef 
much greater strength than the aqua calcis, and proportionate E 
_ More prompt in its action and effects, has proved still more st 
_ fying in its results. i 
7 An extended experience of many years has proved that by ti® 
