XXXI 
IVORY 
397 
out tlie abscess cavity with 
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 
beans, are very common 
in tusks. These defects 
are known in the trade as 
“ beans.” 
Every large collection of 
tusks contains some of a s 
rm water. Subsequently 
Spiral Tusks. This abnoriual 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.) 
ral shape. This abnormal 
