The pathology of dental caries / by C. Spence Bate.

  • Bate, C. Spence.
Date:
1864
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The pathology of dental caries / by C. Spence Bate. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    32. Areolar Dentine a Reptilian Character.— This most probably is superinduced by an un- healthy systemic condition, inasmuch as it almost invariably accompanies a defect in the enamel, and, as previously stated (Par. 6), the more prominent lines of both are found to correspond (Plate 1, Pigs. 1 and 2). It is, moreover, both instructing and interesting to observe that this abnormal condition in the dentine of the highest type of tooth structure is found to exist, as the normal character, in the teeth of some rep- tiles and the lowest class of mammalia, in all which the teeth are protected by cementum or enamel of a less perfect character. This would seem to suggest the idea, that the areolar or nodulated condition in human teeth is an im- poverished structure, being a return, on the part of Nature, to the character of the less perfect tissues existing in the teeth of the lower types of animals. 33. Imperfect Dentine co-existent with Imperfect Enamel.—To unassisted vision, this character of the human tooth, when recently cleft or sawn in twain, , exhibits on the surface a highly silky appearance, and the more important parts of the areolar struc- ture may, by a low magnifying power, be observed to be arranged in stride, corresponding generally with the circumference of the dentine, and visible as opaque white lines. It is these teeth that are the most sensitive to external impressions, and I