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 173 DM7 
 
THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 PRESENTED BY 
 
 PROF. CHARLES A. KOFOID AND 
 MRS. PRUDENCE W. KOFOID 
 
TEETH, 
 
 THEIR NATUKAL HISTOEY, 
 
TEETH, 
 
 THEIR NATURAL HISTORY: 
 
 WITH THE 
 
 PHYSIOLOGY OF THE HUMAN MOUTH, 
 
 IN REGARD TO 
 
 ARTIFICIAL TEETH, 
 
 UY 
 
 EPHRAIM MSJELY, 
 
 SURGEON DENTIST, 
 
 9, GROSVENOR STREET, GROSVENOR SQUARE 
 
 LONDON: 
 ROBERT HARDWICKE, 192, PICCADILLY. 
 
 1862. 
 [ENTERED AT STATIONERS* HALL ] 
 
Lit* 
 PREFACE. 
 
 ITo part of the human machine, comes so 
 home to the regard and attention of all, as 
 does the condition of the teeth. Our comfort, 
 our health depend mainly, upon their correct 
 and sound state. The loss or decay of teeth 
 implies loss of health, consequent loss of 
 appetite and good digestion. Indigestion must 
 accompany any deterioration of their function. 
 The performance of this function of diges- 
 tion properly can only be effected, and is a 
 secondary process to a sufficient division of 
 the particles of food, by effective trituration, 
 and mastication in the mouth. Thus the food 
 having already become reduced to a pulpy 
 condition by admixture with the saliva during 
 the process of mastication, is received into the 
 stomach fit for digestion. 
 
 The food in this state of division, is in a 
 condition to be acted upon by the juices 
 secreted in the stomach, becoming forthwith 
 converted into what is called chyme, the first 
 state arrived at in the process of digestion. 
 This process commences the series of functions 
 of assimilation, and nutrition ; without a correct 
 performance of which, severe and painful ail- 
 ments supervene. 
 
 The authority which long experience, and 
 
 ivi358670 
 
VI PREFACE. 
 
 great success in the improvement of the 
 mechanical department of the dental art, have 
 afforded us, will be our apology for offering on 
 this occasion, a few practical observations. 
 We shall aim in simple language to communi- 
 cate familiar and useful information to our 
 readers, divested of technical, or professional 
 phrases. 
 
 This we hope will prove acceptable, since 
 the subject of the defects of teeth, is of that 
 constant occurrence, and common place charac- 
 ter, that all sympathize in it, and few will 
 refuse the advice we willingly afford. 
 
 The dislike which every one entertains, 
 to expose dental deficiencies is so great, that 
 we feel confident, our humble endeavour to 
 advance a few simple maxims, and to give 
 advice and confidence will be acceptable. 
 
 The good faith with which we offer this 
 advice, we have no doubt, will gain that con- 
 fidence, and, with it the suffrages of our readers. 
 Inducing them to regard rules, which we shall 
 freely explain, thus securing with timely and 
 proper assistance, the enjoyment of a good set 
 of teeth. 
 
 On submitting the following practical 
 observations, with these objects and motives* 
 we solicit the candid perusal of our indulgent 
 friends the public. 
 
 / 
 
 9, Grosvenor Street, 
 
 Grosvenor Square, W. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER. PAGE 
 
 I. THE VIETUES AND VICES OP TEETH... 1 
 
 II. MECHANISM OF THE MOT7TH 13 
 
 III. PHYSIOLOGY OP TEETH : THEIE STEUC- 
 
 TUEE AND DEVELOPMENT 19 
 
 IT. VIEWS OP THE ANCIENTS IN EELATION 
 
 TO TEETH 29 
 
 V. PATENTED INVENTION OP CAOUTCHOUC 
 PIXATUEES, POE AETIPICIAL TEETH, 
 SUSTAINED BY ATMOSPHEEIC PEES- 
 
 SUEE , 39 
 
 CONCLUSION 50 
 
CHAPTER I. 
 
 THE YIETUES, AND VICES OF TEETH. 
 
 ALL know more or less what tooth-ache 
 is, we will therefore say but little upon this 
 unpleasant subject. In this condition of 
 suffering from tooth- ache, the unfortunate 
 victim seeks relief and help, frequently in a 
 reckless, and off hand manner. In haste to get 
 rid of his urgent grievance, to the first 
 druggist's shop he wends his way, having seen 
 written up in his window, "Teeth Extracted," 
 forthwith to part with a valuable member. 
 This mutilation perhaps, being attended with 
 other bad consequences. To the facts in the 
 following anecdote we can bear personal testi- 
 mony. 
 
 A baroness in her own right, being at 
 her residence in a remote part of the country 
 at a time when dentists were scarce, and medical 
 men. often disliked operating upon the teeth, 
 was suddenly troubled with punishment from 
 a molar in the upper jaw. She being a woman 
 of strong character and determination, having 
 been told that her blacksmith, residing in an 
 adjoining village, was celebrated for fortune- 
 telling, and tooth drawing, without hesitation 
 
sent for this country artist in horse shoes, and 
 unravelling the mysteries of fate, to extract her 
 tooth. This unkempt Mephistophilus, being 
 ushered into the baroness's presence, pulled 
 out a dirty handkerchief, with which to lap 
 round the key topth instrument, of his own 
 forging. To this proceeding her ladyship 
 demurred, and as a condition of submission to 
 her tormentor, offered her own cambric hand- 
 kerchief, which, from its fragrance and white- 
 ness, sadly discomfitted this farrier artist. 
 The man, nevertheless, with some difficulty and 
 force, managed to extract the vicious molar. 
 
 This unfortunately, was the commence- 
 ment of mischief. Pain being only a tem- 
 porary grievance, is easily and quickly remov- 
 able ; but fracture from force, leaves permanent, 
 and often irremediable mischief. The black- 
 smith's fc stithy ' could forge horse shoes, and 
 garden hoes, but turned out clumsily made key 
 instruments for teeth. Thus his key was formed 
 better to remove a granite boulder than a human 
 tooth. This instrument having a heavy, power- 
 ful fulcrum, and equally clumsy lever to corres- 
 pond, he necessarily fractured the baroness's 
 alveolary process, and a portion of the jaw bone. 
 
 Her ladyship for the rest of her days, 
 concealed in her mouth, the reminiscence of a 
 blacksmith's skill in tooth drawing. 
 
 Let us above all things warn our readers 
 against rash tooth drawing. Pain of the 
 teeth, or of a tooth, we freely confess is a 
 warning always to be regarded with suspicion, 
 if not with fear, and apprehension. If under 
 such circumstances, immediate application be 
 made to a skilful and respectable dentist, relief 
 will be prompt, and the source of mischief 
 is easily removable. 
 
This confirms universal experience, that 
 preservation is a triumph, whereas mutilation 
 is more or less a disgrace to art, either proving 
 deficiency of skill in the artist, or want of re- 
 sources and feebleness of art itself. Of the 
 latter, we are always inclined to be sceptical. 
 
 In most instances the timely and judicious 
 stopping of a tooth, which may be effected with 
 gold, india rubber, as well as other materials, 
 does all that is required, and preserves to the 
 patient a valuable member. Stopping is a 
 simple process, when practised by those who 
 well understand its value, and can accomplish 
 cleverly all its intentions. 
 
 Let it be remembered how essential is 
 a full mouth of teeth to the beauty of the 
 human face. A white even set of teeth 
 enhances the attraction, and completes the 
 pleasing expression of the countenance. 
 
 With these advantages, the human face 
 possesses a charm we cannot resist, and is a 
 passport to our confidence, that we all acknow- 
 ledge. The mouth opened, we are delighted 
 with the laughing expression surrounding the 
 lips. But our fascination becomes complete, 
 when a perfect mouth gives utterance to speech. 
 
 Without teeth Demosthenes would not have 
 been an orator, nor would his substituting sea 
 pebbles have helped him, since without teeth 
 they would have dropped from his month. 
 
 Thus endowed with perfect teeth, the mouth 
 is a source of innumerable pleasures, and enjoy- 
 ments ; seat of smiling beauty, fountain of per- 
 suasive eloquence. The converse of this picture 
 is lamentable ; by loss of teeth the gums recede, 
 the face becomes shortened, and disfigured with 
 premature wrinkles; thus, old age is carica- 
 
tared by chin and nose approaching each 
 other. Pronunciation becomes laboured, vocal 
 harmony ceases, the voice also becomes inarti- 
 culate, lisping and broken. 
 
 The beautiful metaphorical language in 
 which the teeth are apostrophized in holy writ, 
 ought to plead on their behalf. In the 4k Canti- 
 cles," the inspired writer, speaking of his love, 
 says, " Thou art all fair, my love, there is no 
 spot in thee. Thy teeth are like a flock of 
 sheep that are even shorn, which came up from 
 the washing; whereof, every one bears twins, 
 and none is barren among them," 
 
 This eloquent description of teeth shows 
 in what estimation they were held by the 
 ancient, and sacred writers. 
 
 The science of physiognomy prefers some claim 
 to speak on this occasion. To read the character, 
 disposition, and temper in the features of the 
 face, Lucian has said, is to carry the key, 
 that unlocks Momus's little door in the breast. 
 
 To show up the man as a walking adver- 
 tisement of himself, are pretensions not easily 
 confuted. They are, moreover, accepted by the 
 moralist, artist, and dramatist. Indeed creations 
 established upon this basis, in imitation of 
 nature, are exemplified in high art, being 
 adopted by painters, and sculptors, and carica- 
 tured on the stage. Hogarth displayed a wonder- 
 ful genius in this department of art, in depicting 
 the familiar traits of human nature. Shakespeare, 
 than whom no higher authority can be found, 
 in his readings of the human character, says, 
 
 " There's no art to find the mind's construction in the 
 f ace. ' ' Macbeth. 
 
 But again, as though conscious of error, he 
 qualifies this, in the following line, 
 
 " Your face, my Thane, is as a book where men may see 
 strange matters." Ibid. 
 
Again 
 
 " For, by his face, straight shall you know his heart." 
 Richard III, 
 
 The influence of the human face is beautifully 
 expressed in the following words - 
 
 "Vouchsafe to shew the sunshine of your face, that we, 
 like savages, may worship it," Love's Labour Lost, 
 
 But a word is to be said on the other 
 side. Coleridge relates a ludicrous denouement 
 of the fallacy of face. At table one day, watch- 
 ing a silent thoughtful looking intelligent face, 
 from which he promised himself a treat, Coler- 
 idge was somewhat surprised to hear, when a 
 dish of dumplings was served up, the excla- 
 mation, " Them's, the jockies for me !" 
 
 The face of the man who had made a vow, 
 that at the child's play of " cup and ball," 
 he would catch the ball on the small end, 
 100,000 times, had acquired the severity, and 
 fixedness of Newton's. 
 
 Teeth ! without which " the human face 
 divine" is a moping, melancholy mask the 
 speech, a mumbling mockery the living manly 
 form a monumental mummy, meagre morti- 
 fied moribund . 
 
 " So coldly sweet, so deadly fair, 
 
 "We start! for soul is wanting there.'* Byron. 
 
 " Our yirtues would be proud, if our faults whipp'd 
 them not." All's well, that ends well. 
 
 The correlation between virtue, and vice, we 
 view in the abstract as an unfortunate, although 
 inevitable condition of human nature. Where 
 this kindred begins, or where ends, it is not 
 our task to say, or to give their traditional 
 genealogy, which is as ancient as man. The ear 
 
reluctantly acknowledges this discordant anti- 
 thesis, as reason repels the moral paradox : but, 
 
 " The Gods of our pleasant vices, make instruments to 
 scourge us." Cymbehne. 
 
 Teeth, the armed a3gis of life ! Like the 
 shield given to Pallas, which, when Medusa's 
 head was placed on it, turned all who viewed 
 it, into stones: so teeth, before the breath of 
 life has passed over the soft velvet birth-place, 
 ' where they lie nascent in serried ranks, spring 
 from their embryonic beds, to be converted into 
 crystal stones. 
 
 Of what are teeth formed of such mar- 
 vellous structure of such uniform symmetry 
 shape, and design? This marshalled armoury 
 consists of three materials, technically called 
 dentine, cementum, and enamel; added to which 
 is the pulp, or nerve bulb. The first of these 
 materials, dentine, constitutes the substance of 
 the tooth; the second, cementum, the substance 
 of the bone ; and the third enamel, a pris- 
 matic deposit, imitated only if successful by 
 that glaze, which at Sevres is given to the 
 primest lisquet porcelain. 
 
 The numerous inconveniences sustained by 
 victims of the decay, and vices of teeth, 
 would be an ungracious catalogue to relate, 
 or reveal. The sufferer would rather avoid a 
 repetition of his griefs. The possessor of 
 virtuous teeth, would turn away with aversion 
 and disgust from the miserable history. 
 
 Teeth! the simplest organized structure in 
 the whole animal machine the lowest form of 
 growth and development. Nevertheless have not 
 the philosophic discoveries of Cuvier, Blumenbach, 
 and Owen, found in the simple tooth, a guide 
 post in natural history, and a key-note in 
 
science? Have they not discovered in it, the 
 type of species ? In this simple osseous 
 structure, these eminent naturalists have laid 
 the foundation of a new science much regarded 
 at the present time, namely the science of 
 Paleontology. 
 
 Mouth! domicile of teeth: too apt to be 
 associated with gross sensual ideas. Mouth ! 
 the source of innumerable enjoyments and 
 delights to man seat of smiling beauty of 
 intellect of comeliness fountain of God-like 
 eloquence from whence in curling lines flow 
 expression of sentiments of love, of delight 
 of maternity, of infantine ecstacy, and of 
 affection ! 
 
 Baron Yon Humboldt says, "Man is man 
 only by means of speech, but in order to 
 invent speech, he must be already man." 
 " Language also, like amber, embalms and 
 preserves the relics of ancient wisdom." 
 
 Homer, through his hero warrior, replied, 
 two thousand years ago to Talleyrand's 
 Machiavellian proverb, which says, that 
 "language was given to man, to conceal his 
 thoughts." 
 
 Pope has rendered the justly earned cas- 
 tigation thus 
 
 " Who dares think one thing, and another tell, 
 My soul detests him as the gates of hell." 
 
 Words rule the world. "Without their teeth 
 what would D'Israeli, or Gladstone be in the 
 House of Commons; Lyndhurst, and Derby in 
 the Peers. Shakespeare makes Henry YIth 
 exclaim 
 
 " !My mouth, shall he the Parliament of England." 
 
 "Words and language, are the public orators 
 
8 
 
 of thought. Thoughts lie nascent in the brain 
 to be awoke by words, revealing the precepts 
 of reason, religion, and morality. 
 
 A blind man can tell a cultivated intellec- 
 tual person by the flexibility, cadence, and inton- 
 ation of his voice. The blind man's attention 
 becomes fixed overwhelmed with emotions of 
 pleasure, he listens to the harmonious ringing 
 vocal music, wrapped in admiration and delight. 
 This vocal music is produced by teeth. 
 
 Language, is a miracle, but utterance of 
 words is a still greater one. It is the prero- 
 gative of man only, to inherit the gifts of 
 language and speech, demonstrating this miracle. 
 
 Mouth! through which is sustained life. 
 Without taste the provocative of appetite, the 
 high arched palate would become a deserted 
 highway ; if teeth did not cater to taste, whose 
 function is thus seated in the mouth life would 
 cease. What is life? question ever asked 
 never answered mystery from all time, as 
 far, as ever from solution. Yet without mouth 
 and teeth, this problem would arrive at a nega- 
 tive solution, since life would become extinct, 
 and in this way the mystery becomes negatively 
 solved. 
 
 Art, has succeeded in imitating by artificial 
 teeth the mechanism necessary to mastication, 
 so as to fulfil the function of deglutition 
 thus, preparing food for the nourishment of 
 man, to continue and prepetuate this mystery 
 of life. 
 
 " Virtute vicit incommodum naturae." 
 
 Cicero de Fin. 
 
 Nevertheless art cannot imitate the mechanism 
 of voice, or accomplish the function of speech. 
 
9 
 
 Sound governed by vibrations, reverbera- 
 tions, and modulations, has a mechanism of 
 infinite beauty, and perfection in the human 
 instrument. This mechanism consists of the 
 functions of the pharynx, larynx, trachea, with 
 their appendages, namely, the epiglottis, and 
 vocal chords; contributing together a most 
 elaborate musical instrument an instrument 
 soon put out of tune; so delicately con- 
 structed, as to be easily spoiled. Let the 
 tongue, the teeth, palate, or nose become 
 altered, or diseased, the uvula elongated, or 
 tonsils enlarged, and hypertrophied, the harmoni- 
 ous music of voice thenceforth becomes destroyed. 
 
 Art, steps in to effectually alleviate the 
 mischief staphyloraphy, or tonsillotomy , and 
 sometimes tracheotomy, save voice, and life, 
 and give to the artist, the ardent, well earned 
 gratitude of his patient. 
 
 Freedom of judgment, the load star of 
 human intellect the high prerogative of reason, 
 proclaims the triumphs of art, on all occasions, 
 to be most excellent, to subdue and convert 
 nature. 
 
 " Nih.il est arte, quod non prius in naturiL" 
 
 Cultivated art, approaches nearest to nature in 
 its endeavours to satisfy human wants. Art 
 is the reflection of nature in exactness, and 
 precision. 
 
 " Ars dux eertior quam natur." 
 
 Ac. de Fin. 
 
 Objects in nature and art, which observe 
 periodicity, and order, forcibly appeal to the 
 imagination. Thus the sun, the moon, the 
 seasons, day and night, equally with a clock, 
 a watch, or a steam engine, inspire the 
 
 B 
 
10 
 
 wonder, and almost adoration of the savage. 
 Herein is established the ascendancy of nature, 
 and art. Let us hold faith in nature, science, 
 and art, to sustain, and foster the undying 
 hope, which throws its forward shadow into 
 eternity. 
 
 We may, in the words of Quintilian, say 
 
 " Ars est, quce discipline, percepi potest." 
 
 All the senses centre in the mouth. The 
 mouth is a well defended garrison; the forces 
 of speech, of taste, of hearing, and of smell 
 are contained in its store rooms, and maga- 
 zines. Sight, holding watch, and ward over 
 its sacred stores, is seated above, with eaglet 
 gaze from its battlements. 
 
 It is in search of the useful, in the 
 struggles for material supremacy, we wear out 
 our energies in the present day. We have no 
 time allowed to indulge, or recreate in fanciful 
 speculation ; stern realities possess our thoughts, 
 and inspire resolution to accomplish our en- 
 deavours. Sincere in our search of truth, we 
 acknowledge her severe but benign influence, 
 and worship her with implicit veneration. 
 Thus, in our speculations and schemes, study, 
 thought, and reflection, flow in a healthful 
 stream, Error, when its existence is practically 
 demonstrated, and publicly announced, although 
 tardily, and sometimes reluctantly confessed, 
 is manfully atoned for. 
 
 This reality governing our actions has 
 taught us to conquer inert, dull, opposing matter, 
 to annihilate space, and time ; has enabled us 
 to say, 4< the lightning bears my messages, and 
 the air is my courier." Thus, amid such in- 
 fluences the progeny of our intellect is vigorous, 
 
11 
 
 hale, and robust, we have no ricketty, weedy, 
 sentimental creations appealing for sympathy, 
 Our subjugation of material matter, of the 
 external world, has substantially realized the 
 Golden age, and by humanizing tendencies, 
 given a poetry, to our practice. 
 
 We are essentially a practical age, even 
 our poetry and fiction deal in familiar realities, 
 for " truth is greater than fiction." Laborious 
 triflers cannot be heard. He who has a word 
 to deliver, must speak out, or give way. The 
 genius of the age, like Minerva, springs out 
 armed, for action. Nevertheless it is a just age. 
 "We have no " Martyrs of Science." Perse- 
 cution of opinion, has passed away. The 
 summum lonum, is the "greatest happiness, 
 of the greatest number." 
 
 The present age aims at every thing which 
 human invention can accomplish. While creat- 
 ing mighty inventions to influence the destinies 
 of nations, its genius stoops gently to gather 
 up a nail, or a feather. Like one of its mighty 
 engines, it will crush a rock, as also it will head 
 a pin. Thus, the age in which we live, is great, 
 because it is just, and considers nothing mean 
 that is useful. 
 
 Invention is one of the great marks is 
 the symbol of genius, or may we not say that 
 genius is invention expressed by "a sharpen- 
 ing of the spiritual sight to discern hidden 
 aptitudes." He who has the greatest store of 
 intellectual material, has the greatest means of 
 invention. " Divine honours," remarks Bacon, 
 "were rightly by antiquity, attributed to in- 
 ventors, but upon such as had deserved well 
 of their country, only heroical honours were 
 conferred. Without any blind or servile reve- 
 
12 
 
 rence of antiquity, yet while vaunting the 
 triumphs of modern science, and art, we must 
 remember the difference between invention, and 
 improvement, the cultivation of acquired know- 
 ledge, and the labour and difficulty of emerging 
 from ignorance, and inexperience. 
 
 In our day, not to travel back a century 
 earlier, to the discoveries of Newton, and Harvey, 
 and the invention of the Stocking Frame, we 
 claim our men of science in Hunter, Watt, Davy, 
 Dal ton, Faraday, and Owen. Our men of 
 machinery, and successful enterprise resulting 
 from machinery, record amongst their ranks, 
 the names of Bridgewater, inventor of Canals ; 
 Watt, of the steam engine ; Arkwright, of 
 spinning Jennies ; Heathcote of lace machines, 
 and Stevenson of railroads. 
 
 On naming these, we must not pass by the 
 first Sir Robert Peel, distinguished, not only in 
 successful enterprise, but by founding a noble 
 house, and an original stock of statesmen. The 
 first Sir Robert was himself also a legislator of 
 no mean capacity. It has been the lot of few, 
 from being the sire of so great a son, to achieve 
 a fame more lasting, or of a nature more genial. 
 
 If, for a moment we pause to consider 
 the physiological incidents depending upon 
 teeth, we shall be convinced how nearly allied 
 is our personal comfort, health, and enjoy- 
 ment to their healthful condition. The orator 
 would become worse than dumb, by the loss 
 of teeth, since if he used his mouth to give 
 utterance even to beautiful ideas, clothed in 
 vigorous, and glowing language he would 
 assuredly lose his fame. 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 MECHANISM OF THE MOUTH. 
 
 "We have already scanned the " virtues and 
 vices " of teeth. Let us therefore take a peep 
 into the human mouth, curiously review its 
 mechanism, much as we would the machinery of 
 a watermill, or windmill, or any other useful 
 mechanical invention. 
 
 It is on such occasions, and by such 
 comparisons, we have to acknowledge the supe- 
 riority of nature, over art. We find in all 
 mechanical contrivances, whether natural, or 
 artificial, harmony in the economy, with fitness, 
 and propriety, in adaptation of means, to an 
 end ; especially observed in imitations of nature, 
 by achievements in art. This is discovered in 
 the human mouth. The same rule, applies to 
 all inventions, however consummate, may be 
 their manifestation of skill, and ingenuity, so 
 that we can trace the original type, to some 
 mechanical development in nature. 
 
 Thus we find the mouth, supplied with a 
 singularly simple, yet beautiful apparatus, for the 
 performance of its functions, of preparing food, for 
 the human stomach, for preservation of human 
 life. The teeth are divided to perform the office 
 of mastication into two sets. The molars, or as 
 
14 
 
 they are significantly called, the grinders, (for by 
 that name they sufficiently bespeak their func- 
 tion,) and insisors, which name will also explain 
 the office they perform in the month. The 
 incisors occupy the front of the mouth; these 
 constituting the two sets of teeth we have 
 named. The molars, and bicuspids, fill up the 
 lateral and posterior parts of both sides of the 
 mouth. Thus, we find the human mouth repre- 
 sents the type of a watermill in miniature. 
 
 The cornmill simply grinds between 
 the faces of two millstones, prepared for the 
 purpose, the grains of corn, into flour. The 
 mouth through the agency of the teeth, operates 
 upon materials of various degrees of hardness 
 compactness, and density. These materials are 
 converted into a pulp, by the moisture of the 
 salivary secretion, during the trituration of the 
 teeth. 
 
 Thus water propels the wheels, by which 
 the stones grind grains of corn ; and moisture in 
 the salival liquid, is necessary to the proper divi- 
 sion, of particles of food, in this natural water- 
 mill, the mouth. 
 
 But the mouth is a more complicated 
 machine, than a watermill. Corn, is submitted 
 in its natural whole state, of distinct grains, to 
 be triturated, until ground into flour. The 
 food, before being admitted into the portico of 
 the mouth, undergoes scrutiny, being presented 
 to it in various forms, sizes, and conditions. If 
 it be too large, the front incisors, divide it into a 
 suitable size, for its easy trituration, or mastication, 
 by the proper millstones of the mouth, namely, 
 the molar teeth. In biting, or separating a large 
 morsel of food, for its easy admission into the 
 mouth, the bicuspids are found extremely service- 
 
15 
 
 able. They with the incisors, make a clean 
 division of the morsel to be received, for the 
 grinders to manducate. 
 
 It is a mistaken notion entertained, that teeth 
 are only serviceable, for the division and mastica- 
 tion of food, for the stomach. In the human 
 mouth, teeth subserve also, to the important func- 
 tion of reverberators, or vocal keys, for conveying, 
 and modulating sound. 
 
 The human teeth are, moreover great or- 
 naments to the human face. We are sorry to 
 say, that they are far too often appreciated, 
 only as ornaments, a mistake nevertheless 
 prolific of profit to the dentist. We can safely 
 affirm, that where a patient consults his dentist, 
 upon the economy of his mouth, with regard to 
 the serviceableness, and utility of his teeth, he 
 is much more often prompted to do so, by 
 influence of vanity, and regard for appearance. 
 It is a great mistake, to consider artificial teeth, 
 as merely ornamental, which many of the best 
 clients of the dentist, certainly do. On the con- 
 trary, when artificial teeth, are skilfully and 
 properly made, and fitted, they are invaluable 
 to the wearer, for comfort, and utility, as well as 
 ornament. 
 
 Mastication can be as well completed, by 
 artificial, as by natural teeth; speech, moreover, 
 depending upon their valuable assistance. "With 
 this erroneous impression, that the principal 
 advantage of artificial teeth, is ornament, many 
 persons, so long as they retain their front teeth, 
 unfortunately disregard the loss, of their more 
 useful molars, or back teeth. 
 
 The maxillary mechanism, is constituted of 
 many muscles, and large bones. The muscles, 
 according to their economy, as in all other 
 
16 
 
 instances, act by antagonism, being consequently, 
 often much at rest. 
 
 The two large maxillary bones, like the 
 famed, and classical " pillars of Hercules," 
 guard the faucial isthmus. When the muscles 
 are passive, at rest, the teeth support the immense 
 superior maxillary wall, thus preserving the 
 contour, and symmetry of the face. This can only 
 be properly effected, by the integrity of the molar 
 teeth, situated behind the incisors. The incisors, 
 in front of the mouth, being thus preserved 
 from injurious pressure, and contact. 
 
 The molars, at the back part of the mouth, 
 during the process of manducation, prevent the 
 front teeth, from coming in contact, and by so 
 doing, prevent also the front incisors, from being 
 damaged, by attrition, or friction, which would 
 have a tendency to loosen them. It should be 
 always remembered, that the incisors, are only 
 subservient to cutting food in parts, having 
 nothing whatever to do, with the function 
 of mastication; this function of mastication, being 
 performed exclusively by the molar teeth, or 
 grinders. 
 
 Hence, is found the imperative necessity, 
 of supplying lost molars, directly the dismem- 
 berment occurs, to save the front teeth, from 
 the inevitable collision, with each other, to which 
 we have referred, such collision having the effect, 
 of wearing them away, or loosening them. 
 
 Moreover we must consider the incisors, as 
 wedges; they are wedge-shaped, the top incisors 
 also overlapping, the bottom front teeth. By the 
 loss of a molar, or molars, these wedges, assume 
 a different line of direction, from the natural per- 
 pendicular, thus, having a tendency, to force 
 each other from their sockets. 
 
17 
 
 "We must again observe, since it cannot 
 be too much regarded, that the molars, only 
 are essential to mastication. The machinery of 
 mastication, in the human mouth, is exclusively 
 performed by the molar teeth ; the incisors, or 
 front teeth, being useless, and improper for that 
 purpose. The incisors, are the cutting, as the 
 molars,, are the grinding, parts of the mill machine, 
 of the human mouth. 
 
 Thus, the maxillary wall of the mouth, is 
 weakened by loss of even a single molar tooth, 
 the security of the remainder being thereby 
 disturbed, and endangered. As with a file of 
 soldiers, each supports his next comrade, so with 
 the file of molar teeth, one removed, leaves a 
 breach, which weakens the whole rank. 
 
 Again, the teeth in the opposing jaw, being 
 deprived of the healthful support, during mas- 
 tication, to which they have been accustomed, 
 and which nature requires, in the absence of 
 this support, become loose in their sockets, 
 speedily falling away. Moreover, loss of the 
 molars in one jaw, deprives the function of the 
 opposite molars in the other jaw; consequently 
 to avoid further mischief, they should be imme- 
 diately supplied, by artificial teeth. 
 
 The mischief results in this way, loss of 
 the antagonistic support, of the opposite teeth, 
 to which we have just referred, gives a relax- 
 ing tendency to their opponents, which con- 
 sequently induces disease in the floor of the 
 socket, which is termed exostosis, or a deposi- 
 tion of bony matter, forcing the teeth, gradually 
 to emerge from the sockets. Thus the bony 
 portion of the teeth, not enveloped with enamel, 
 becomes exposed to external influences, for which 
 nature did not intend it, namely, the influence 
 
18 
 
 of atmospherical changes, the action of condi- 
 ments, and other stimulants or excitants, admitted 
 into the mouth ; and ultimately the teeth drop 
 away from the sockets without any sign of decay. 
 By regard to the rules, and practical cau- 
 tions, we have offered, mastication is perfectly 
 carried on. The front teeth are also preserved, 
 conferring, .the enjoyment of health, and fre- 
 quently the extension of life, to individuals. 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 PHYSIOLOGY OF TEETH, THEIR STETJCTUEE AND 
 DEVELOPMENT. 
 
 The teeth are the simplest organized 
 structure, the lowest form of growth, and 
 development, in the whole animal machine. 
 They have heen typified by Dr. PALEY, as 
 a manifestation of design, showing provision 
 for future wants. The incomplete development 
 of the teeth at birth, shows a provident 
 contrivance for a future state of development 
 in the animal economy, and of design in 
 creation. Paley says " That intelligence, 
 which was employed in creation, looked 
 beyond the first year of the infant life, yet 
 while she was providing for functions which 
 were after that time to become necessary, she 
 was careful not to incommode those which 
 
 preceded them." "What renders it more 
 
 probable that this is the effect of design, is 
 that the teeth are imperfect whilst all the 
 other parts of the mouth are perfect. The lips 
 are perfect, the tongue is perfect; the cheeks, 
 the jaws, the palate, the pharynx, the larynx 
 are all perfect: the teeth alone are not so. 
 This is the fact with respect to the human 
 mouth. The fact is also, that the parts above 
 enumerated, are called in to use from the beginning 
 
20 
 
 of existence, whereas the teeth would be only so 
 many obstacles and annoyances, if they were 
 there. 
 
 Again, speaking of the creation, "When a 
 contrary order is necessary, a contrary order 
 prevails ; thus, in the worm, the teeth are the 
 first things which arrive at perfection. As the 
 worm is hatched from the egg, the insect begins 
 to gnaw as soon as it escapes from the shell, 
 though all other parts be only gradually advancing 
 
 to maturity." But, " teeth are formed 
 
 in the gums, there they stop ; the fact being that 
 this further advance to maturity would not only 
 be useless to the new born infant, but extremely 
 in its way ; for the act of sucking by which it is 
 for some time to be nourished, will be performed 
 with more ease, both to the nurse and the infant 
 whilst the inside of the mouth, and edges of the 
 gums are smooth and soft, than if set with hard 
 and pointed bones. By the time they are wanted 
 they are ready. " 
 
 Again, "In respect of the human 
 
 teeth, prospective contrivance looks still further. 
 A succession of crops are provided, and provided 
 from the beginning. A second tier of teeth being 
 originally formed beneath the first, which do not 
 come into use for several years afterwards. This 
 double or supplementary provision, meets with a 
 difficulty in the mechanism of the mouth, which 
 would appear almost insurmountable. The ex- 
 pansion of the jaw, in consequence of the growth 
 of the animal, and of its skull, necessarily sepa- 
 rates the first set of teeth from one another, 
 however compactly composed they may be." 
 
 This would be very inconvenient. In due 
 time therefore, when the jaw has attained a 
 great part of its dimensions, a new set of 
 
21 
 
 teeth, loosening and pushing aside the old 
 ones, springs up. These are more exactly 
 adapted to the space which they are to 
 occupy. Rising also in such close ranks, they 
 allow for any extension of line, which the 
 subsequent enlargement of the head, may 
 occasion." (*) 
 
 A tooth is anatomically divided into four 
 parts, namely : the crown, which is seen above 
 the gum, invested with enamel; the neck, is 
 that part surrounded by the gum, between the 
 crown, and the alveolus, it is next the root, or 
 fang of the tooth, hidden from view, being seated 
 in the alveolus: lastly, a cavity containing the 
 pulp, which is a soft, vascular, very sensitive 
 substance. 
 
 The teeth are fixed in their sockets in the 
 alveolar ridge, by an articulation peculiar to 
 the alveolus, no other such articulation exist- 
 ing in the human body. It resembles the 
 fixture of a nail driven into a board ; the 
 teeth being kept firm, equally by the closeness 
 of their fit, as by the adhesion of the periosteum 
 lining the sockets of the teeth, and investing 
 the fangs, as also by the gums. This singular 
 articulation of the teeth in the alveolus, is 
 called gomphosis. 
 
 The adult teeth are 32 in number ; viz., 
 incisors, canines, licuspides ; (these are peculiar 
 to second dentition, or permanent teeth) 
 and molars ; the first and second of which 
 are the largest of all the teeth. The dens 
 sapientia, or last molar, is the last tooth in 
 the mouth. This tooth is not so large as the 
 others, the roots being united into one. The 
 
 (*) Natural Theol. chap. X!Y. 
 
22 
 
 dental arch thus formed by the line of teeth 
 is a parabola. The crowns of the canine, 
 slightly deviate from the parabolic line. "When 
 the mouth is shut, it is worthy of remark, 
 that the teeth do not close on each other in 
 exact junction, tooth for tooth, since the upper 
 slightly overlap the under. 
 
 The structures of a tooth are four in 
 number. These may be seen with the assist- 
 ance of the microscope. They consist of, 1st, 
 The dentine; this forms the great mass or 
 mould of the tooth. 2nd. The enamel; con- 
 stituting the exterior coat of the crown. 3rd. 
 The cementum, or crusta petrosa ; this forms 
 a thin layer around the root, not including 
 the foramen, where vessels and nerves enter, 
 and is traced over the enamel. 4th. The 
 pulp, which is found in the central cavity of 
 the dentine. These tissues have each distinct, 
 and peculiar characters. Dentine, composing the 
 great bulk of the tooth, assimilates in its 
 character to the elephant tusk, or ivory of 
 commerce. Cementum, corresponds with the 
 osseous tissue of the body generally, is 
 the most highly organized, and vascular of 
 the dental tissues, and is the last formed. 
 Enamel, is a semi- vitreous looking substance, 
 of the colour of pearl, with glossy smooth 
 surface, being also composed of solid prisms, 
 set side by side, on the dentine of the .crown, 
 in a direct perpendicular line. The prisms 
 have a wavy course, their curves being parallel. 
 The enamel becomes thinner at the neck of 
 the tooth, around which it terminates. 
 
 According to Liebig, enamel contains no 
 animal matter. Berzelius gave only 1 per 
 cent, it is the hardest of all animal substances. 
 
23 
 
 Mr. Goodsir's researches, establish that the 
 development of the tooth, its nisus-formcetivus, 
 is referrible to the same kind of germ, as is 
 that of a hair, or feather, namely, a lull. 
 The first appearance of the pulp of a tooth, 
 occurs about the seventh week of foetal 
 life ; it is the germ of the upper anterior 
 molar, the first tooth that appears. Thus in 
 its progress dentition commencing in the upper 
 jaw, fine tubes radiate horizontally from the 
 pulp cavity, into which they open, to the sur- 
 face of the tooth, in an undulating course. 
 
 The first appearance of the pulp of the tooth, 
 is in the form of a minute egg-shaped papilla, 
 arising from the bottom of a groove behind the 
 edge of the jaw, in the mucous membrane of the 
 mouth. The substance of the tooth when it 
 commences formation, is produced in the fol- 
 lowing order: 1. Dentine, is developed from 
 the pulp. 2. Enamel, from a granular sub- 
 stance deposited between the capsule and the 
 pulp. 3. With respect to the cementum, 
 nothing positive is known, but it is most 
 probably produced from the periosteum. 
 
 Nasmyth has shown that the papilla, or 
 pulp, is cellular. By its cells the dentine 
 tubules are produced ; the pulp becoming hard- 
 ened by earthy matter, gradually deposited 
 between these cells, layer after layer, from 
 without inwards ; thus, all becomes solid, except 
 the foramen of the pulp. 
 
 The formation of the permanent teeth, 
 originates from the mucous membrane, in the 
 same manner as the milk, or deciduous teeth 
 originate, but they are independent, and have 
 no connection with them. 
 
24 
 
 The periods of the eruption, or develop- 
 ment of the 20 deciduous, or milk teeth, are 
 variable. The central incisors appear from 5, to 
 8 months, after birth ; the lateral incisor from 
 7, to 10 ; the anterior molars, from 12, to 16 
 months; the canines, from 14, to 20; and the 
 second molars, from 20, to 36 months. The 
 teeth of the upper, and lower jaws appearing 
 nearly contemporaneously. The advent of second 
 dentition, or of the permanent teeth, begins 
 usually about 6, or 7 years after birth, but is 
 variable as to precise time ; the previous crop 
 of deciduous or temporary teeth, being shed in 
 consequence of absorption of their roots, in the 
 same order in which they first appeared. 
 
 These deciduous milk teeth, are smaller than 
 the permanent, and not of such firm texture, 
 although the milk molars, are larger than their 
 successors, the permanent, bicuspides. 
 
 The Periosteum, which teeth possess in 
 common with the bones of the body, serves to 
 display, situated around the teeth, an instance 
 of what Paley has spoken of as "interrupted 
 analogies,' ' frequently manifestedin the mechanism 
 of the anatomy of animals. An instance of deviation 
 from the usual course of organization, is manifested 
 for obvious uses in the epidermis at the finger 
 ends, giving way to nails, to assist with the faculty 
 of tentation, the important tactile function. 
 Had so exquisitely sensitive a membrane as the 
 periosteum invested the teeth, as it does every 
 bone of the body, their necessary action, exposure 
 and irritation, would in consequence have sub- 
 jected the animal to continual pain. General 
 as is the periosteum over all the bones of the 
 body, it is not the sort of covering, or integu- 
 ment which suited the teeth; what the teeth 
 
25 
 
 stood in need of, was a strong, hard, insensible 
 defensive coat : exactly such a covering is given 
 to them, in the ivory enamel, which adheres to 
 their surface. 
 
 Differences in the formation, and character of 
 teeth exist in man, from those found amongst 
 other animals, 
 
 The human teeth present in their perfect, 
 and adult growth a close, compact, uninterrupted 
 series. Thus they differ in man from all other 
 animals, of which we will give a few examples. 
 The Chimpanze, or Orang, which approaches near- 
 est to man, has pairs of crescentic alveolar ridges 
 the convexity of which is outwards in the lower, 
 and inwards in the upper jaw. The molars of 
 the Indian and African elephants, differ also from 
 the molars of man. Those of the elephant are 
 complex ; thus each tooth of the elephant is as 
 if made up of a certain number of distinct teeth, 
 bound up into one mass. Man is omnivorous; 
 and right, or wrong, will eat what he likes to the 
 end of time, " so convenient is it," says Franklin, 
 " to be a reasonable creature." 
 
 Professor Owen says, 4< Though the human 
 cranium, varies in its relative proportions to the 
 - face in different tribes, according to the degrees 
 of civilization, and cerebral development which 
 they attain, and though in the more debased 
 Ethiopian varieties, and Papuans, the skull makes 
 some approximation to the quadrumanus pro- 
 portions, still in these cases, as well as in 
 artificial, or congenital distortions of the skull, 
 it is always accompanied by a form of the jaws, 
 and by the disposition and proportion of the 
 teeth, which afford unfailing, and impassible 
 generic distinctions between man and the ape." 
 
 But man manifests great odontolgic oddities, 
 
 c 
 
26 
 
 which, has given rise to the aphorism, " Man, 
 differs more from man, than man, from beast." 
 " Simia quam similis, turpissima lestia nolis" 
 Shakespeare rebukes the hunchback, king 
 Richard the third, who has had a fair share 
 of contumely clapped upon his hump. 
 
 " Teeth hadst thou in thy head when thou 
 
 was't born, 
 To signify thou cam'st to bite the world." 
 
 Richard III. . 
 
 Children have been born with a complete set 
 of teeth in their mouths. Pliny mentions the 
 singular conformation of the teeth in Pyrrhus, 
 the Epirote King, in whose jaws the teeth 
 were all united by the crowns. " The younger 
 Pliny states, that the renowned Marcus Curius, 
 Consul of the Eoman republic, 270 years before the 
 Christian Era, had a full set of teeth at birth. 
 Thus was he named Dentatus. The same author 
 mentions the case of Papyrius, and of a [lady 
 named Valeria, who had all her teeth at birth. 
 
 Zoroaster, the Persian legislator, is also 
 reported to have had all his teeth at birth. 
 The old historians, from whom "Weinrich took the 
 facts, probably thought Zoroaster was destined 
 to become the exponent of wisdom and morals, 
 from being so extraordinarily and precociously 
 gifted 
 
 Louis XI V. of France, whom some writers call 
 great, because he lived contemporaneously with 
 some great men of his country, was born with 
 two teeth ; as was also his Secretary of State, 
 Cardinal Mazarin. The celebrated Grotius, 
 who then lived in France, prophesied that the 
 royal baby would prove a dangerous character ; 
 and that like the nipples of his wet nurse, 
 bleeding, and torn by the voracious infant, 
 
27 
 
 neighbouring sovereigns, would be subjected 
 to the depredations, and robberies of the future 
 king. Scottus, in his physiological curiosities, 
 relates from a report of Nurenberg's, the case 
 of a Spanish dwarf who had all his teeth 
 when born, and never lost one of them got 
 a beard in his seventh year and had a son 
 in his tenth. (*) 
 
 Cutting of teeth in old age is a curious, 
 though not uncommon phenomenon. Thus it 
 would seem, that occasionally nature in her 
 prodigality, makes an effort to reverse her laws, 
 by attempting to repair the defects of age. The 
 grand climacteric, so called, having passed, 
 " sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans every- 
 thing," to hail the advent of second childhood 
 a third dentition has occurred. The process 
 is accompanied with much pain from the 
 naturally callous, and hardened state of the 
 gums, at this period of life. John Hunter 
 states, that he witnessed the reproduction of a 
 complete set of teeth in both jaws. These teeth 
 must have been cruelly in the way certainly 
 more injurious than serviceable. Without a 
 renewal of the sockets, which under such 
 circumstances, have been long absorbed, these 
 teeth, would necessarily be irregularly developed, 
 not having proper fangs. Thus they would 
 interfere with the^vicarious office of teeth, which 
 the gums have generally, at this time of life 
 acquired. 
 
 John Hunter frequently transposed teeth, 
 in conjunction with a celebrated dentist of 
 
 (*) Lecture by Dr Jacobi, published in the '< American 
 Medical Times," which gives many other physiological 
 curiosities of a similar kind, upon the subject of teeth. 
 
28 
 
 that day, who lived in Soho Square, of 
 the name of Spence, a clever and intelligent 
 man ; but unpleasant consequences resulting, the 
 practice was relinquished, not without a little 
 scandal attending the procedure. He also trans- 
 planted a human tooth into the cockscomb, with 
 success, as the preparation to be seen in the 
 Museum of the College of Surgeons testifies. 
 The tooth thus transplanted, formed adhesion 
 by vascular union with that ornament of the 
 bird's head. 
 
CHAPTER IY. 
 
 VIEWS OF THE ANCIENTS IN RELATION TO TEETH. 
 
 Let us pause for a moment to take a retro- 
 spect of the views of the ancients, upon the 
 subject of teeth. 
 
 Art in any but its infant state," says Mill, 
 "pre- supposes scientific knowledge: several 
 sciences, are often necessary to form the ground- 
 work of a single art. 
 
 " Pater ipse colendi 
 
 Haud facilem esse viam voluit ; primus que per artem 
 
 Movit agros ; curis acuens mortaliscorda." Virgil. 
 
 The dental art is no doubt as ancient as 
 Adam; a Hindoo, or a Chinaman, would 
 doubtless carry its antiquity to a still greater 
 remoteness. The ancients bestowed some regard 
 to this art, although it was of a confused, me- 
 chanical, unskilled kind. In the present day 
 we enjoy a peculiar privilege, namely, the con- 
 templation of two types of civilization, the most 
 ancient, and the most modern. But modern 
 civilization can trace little, or no relation with 
 the most ancient. The colonies founded by the 
 Egyptians, namely, Phoenicia, Tyre, and Sidon ; 
 and Carthage, by the Tyrians, on the northern 
 
30 
 
 and southern coasts of the Mediterranean, first 
 awakened the early Greeks from barbarism to 
 civilization. The Persians, Egyptians, and 
 western Asiatics formed the link which con- 
 nected the fabric of modern civilization amongst 
 (if we may so speak) the modern ancients, of 
 Greece and Italy. 
 
 We are becoming daily more able to com- 
 pare ancient, with modern civilization. Civiliza- 
 tion, first planted its footmarks in the far east, 
 slowly to wend its devious course westward. 
 The extreme limit of its eastern boundary, has 
 until within the last century been so little 
 known as to be almost considered a fabulous 
 world. The shores of the Indus, the Ganges, 
 and the Jumna ; the Chinese, Mogul, and Tartar 
 Empires, have only become recently invaded 
 by modern civilization. Even the Romans and 
 Greeks, notwithstanding their enterprise, scarcely 
 heard of their more ancient eastern rivals in 
 art, and science. The civilization of the 
 Hindoos, Chinese, and Persians, arrived at a 
 fixed point, beyond which it made no further 
 progress, or withered under the searing influence 
 of despotism. 
 
 On the fall of Constantinople, the Greeks, 
 who took refuge in Italy in the 15th century, 
 were principally monks. They brought with them 
 their books containing the science and literature 
 of antiquity, and instructed the Italians how to 
 read them. If they had not Europe must have 
 continued to this time in a state but little 
 removed from the barbarism of the dark ages. 
 As we look back with delight, to the revival 
 of this epoch of letters and taste, admiring the 
 researches, and elegant labours of Petrarch, and 
 Boccaccio, we shall remember with gratitude 
 
31 
 
 what is owing to the influence and teachings 
 of Theodore Gaza, George of Trebizonde, Chal- 
 condyles, and other learned Greeks, who elevated 
 Florence, to the glory and renown of a second 
 Athens. 
 
 The dwarf on the giant's back, sees further 
 than the giant, we should therefore regard with 
 reverence and gentleness the labours of antiquity : 
 of those 
 
 '* Immortal spirits in whose deathless song, 
 
 Latium and Athens, yet their reign prolong, 
 
 And from their thrones of fame, and empire hurl'd, 
 
 Still sway the sceptre of the mental world." Uacaulay. 
 
 Lord Brougham beautifully says 
 
 " The globe itself as well as the science 
 of its inhabitants, has been explored accord- 
 ing to the law which forbids a sudden and 
 rapid leaping forward, and decrees that each 
 successive step, prepared by the last shall 
 facilitate the next. Even Columbus followed 
 several successful discoverers on a smaller 
 scale; and is by some believed to have had, 
 unknown to him, a predecessor in the great 
 exploit by which he pierced the night of ages, 
 and unfolded a new world to the eyes of 
 the old. 
 
 The arts afford no exception to the general 
 law. Demosthenes had eminent forerunners, 
 Pericles the last of them. Homer must have 
 had predecessors of great merit, though doubt- 
 less so far surpassed by him, as Fra Bertolomeo, 
 and Pietro Perugino, were by Michael Angelo 
 and Raphael. Dante owed much to Virgil; 
 he may be allowed to have owed through his 
 Latin Mentor, not a little to the old Grecian; 
 and Milton had both the Orators and the Poets 
 of the ancient world, for his predecessors, and 
 
32 
 
 his masters. The art of war itself is no 
 exception to the rnle. The plan of bringing 
 an overpowering force to bear on a given 
 point, had been tried occasionally before 
 Frederic II. reduced it to a system, and the 
 Wellingtons, and Napoleons of our day, made 
 it the foundation of their strategy, as it had 
 also been previously the mainspring of our 
 naval tactics."* 
 
 To our knowledge of the art of printing, 
 of which the Greeks and Latins were ignorant, 
 we are indebted, for the high station we hold 
 at present ; this circumstance would of itself 
 cease to create wonder, at the rapid strides 
 and improvements continually made, in conse- 
 quence of this discovery of the art of printing. 
 
 We regard with admiration the success, 
 and superiority of the ancients in the devel- 
 opement of the body, cultivation of personal 
 perfection, and charms. The exercises of 
 the Gymnasia, and the Palaestra, brought the 
 corporeal powers to the utmost capacity for exer- 
 tion of muscle, display of manly vigour, and 
 graceful carriage. In addition the varied, and 
 perhaps almost too luxuriant use of the bath, 
 with its appliances ; the minute and scrupulous 
 attention to the nails, hair, teeth, and skin; 
 their use of fragrant perfumes, unguents, oils, 
 essences, and flowers, proclaimed high civiliza- 
 tion. These bespoke cultivated refinement, self- 
 esteem and respect, which no doubt influenced 
 the inward consciousness, enlarging the appreci- 
 ation of the beautiful, and sublime in nature, and 
 the imaginative in art. 
 
 * " Tracts, Mathematical and Physical," pp. 282-3, 
 by Lord Brougham, L.L.D , F.E.S., &c., <&c., &c 
 
33 
 
 We are behind the modern ancients in this 
 respect, as we have reason to believe we are 
 also behind the earlier ancients, since in the far 
 east, where we have recently penetrated, we have 
 discovered that the latter, practise in the present 
 day, all the appliances of exquisite luxury, cul- 
 tivated refinement, and art. 
 
 In our day it would be unjust, and libellous 
 to say with Pope 
 
 " Though Artemisia talks by fits, 
 Of councils, classics, fathers, wits, 
 Reads Malbranche, Boyle, and Locke ; 
 'Twere well if she would pare her nails, 
 And wear a cleaner smock." Pope. 
 
 From what Herodotus says, speaking of 
 the ancient Egyptians, the custom existed at that 
 time which prevails in our day, of dividing 
 the practice of the healing art, into specialties. 
 Professors of surgery and medicine practised in 
 several distinct departments, one for the eyes, 
 another the head, and inward diseases, and 
 a Dentist for the Teeth. 
 
 AretoBus the Cappadocian fairly confesses, that 
 the cause of tooth ache, is known only to God. 
 
 Albucasis at the end of the thirteenth cen- 
 tury, first taught the use of artificial teeth. In 
 " Al Tarif," or the Art of Healing, he gives 
 figures of several dental instruments then in use. 
 Galen in the second century, described the milk 
 teeth ; also the operation of taking out stumps 
 with a forceps-like instrument. 
 
 Belzoni has established the fact that the an- 
 cients were acquainted with the art of making 
 artificial teeth, having found artificial teeth in their 
 catacombs, and tombs. Surgical instruments for 
 operating on the teeth, have been also discovered 
 amongst the ruins of Pompeii, and are now de- 
 
34 
 
 posited in the British Museum. Lucian introduces 
 us to the toilet of a Greek belle, surrounded with 
 rouge, cosmetics, and tooth powder. 
 
 Athenseus describes the ladies of his day as 
 playing off their charms much after the fashion 
 of the modern fair ones of London, or Paris ; in 
 his " Deipnosophista, &c.," Lib. xiii., he says, 
 speaking of a handsome woman : " She had 
 beautiful white teeth, so she was laughing all 
 the time, that the company might see her pretty 
 mouth/' 
 
 The pure and poetic Catullus, who flour- 
 ished 40 years before the Christian Era, ridiculed 
 the foppery of his detestable, and mercenary rival 
 Egnatius. This wretch committed all sorts of 
 crimes for money, yet, cultivated his teeth. 
 
 That extraordinary man Saunderson, the blind 
 mathematician at Cambridge, in company, one 
 evening with a distinguished blue- stocking, to 
 whom he had been introduced, but who had just 
 left the room, was expatiating on the brilliant 
 white teeth she possessed. The company ex- 
 pressing their astonishment at the truth, and 
 accuracy of his encomium, enquired "how could 
 he know that ?" " I have reason to pronounce," 
 replied he, " from her conversation, that she is a 
 woman of superior mental culture, but I cannot 
 account for her constant laughter, except that 
 she has a fine set of teeth, and likes to show 
 them." 
 
 The peculiar and distinctive conformation 
 exhibited amongst the teeth of different species 
 of the animal kingdom, have rendered them if 
 not the sole, the safest guide to determine the 
 several species, and varieties of extinct animals. 
 Thus they have formed the guide, to determine 
 the several types of the animal creation, revealed 
 
35 
 
 to us in the researches of geology, and in the 
 specimens of fossil organic remains, which are 
 constantly brought to light. The character 
 of the bone, or bones of a limb, or a tooth, or 
 even a portion of them, determine the whole 
 formation of the animal. They also constitute 
 an index of the habits, mode of existence, char- 
 acter of food, haunts, size, and every other 
 distinction peculiar to those animals which lived 
 upon the earth, and in the waters, before the 
 creation of man. 
 
 Cuvier says, "I found myself placed in 
 a charnel house. At the voice of comparative 
 anatomy, every bone, and fragment of a bone, 
 renewed its place ! I cannot find words to express 
 the pleasure I experienced, when I discovered 
 one character, seeing as I did, how all the con- 
 sequences I had predicted from it, were suc- 
 cessively confirmed." 
 
 Thus Professor Owen, discovered the gigantic 
 fossil Megatherium, of South America, from the 
 evidence afforded him in examining the formation 
 of the fragment of a tooth. 
 
 This difference in the structure of teeth, 
 affords the naturalist, the means of discovering to 
 which group or species of animals, any particular 
 formation of tooth may belong. The formative 
 arrangement being always invariable, and constant 
 for each individual group. The portion of fossil 
 tooth referred to, which guided Professor Owen 
 in his scientific paleontological investigations, 
 belonged to the family of the Edentata. Upon 
 minute examination of the structure of this 
 fragment, he found an exact analogy existing 
 between it, and the sloth species, living at the 
 present time. Some curious facts had to be 
 elicited, to confirm the truth of Professor Owen's 
 
36 
 
 proposition. Thus lie ascertained with precision, 
 that it was a vegetable crushing tooth, not suf- 
 ficiently dense or hard in structure to grind down 
 roots, nevertheless, fitted to crush leaves, and 
 young shoots. 
 
 Leaves, and young shrubs, constitute the 
 food of the modern sloth. The system of teeth of 
 the common sloth of our time is very simple. It 
 has very small canine, and no incisor teeth. The 
 mouth consists of eight molars, in the upper, 
 and six in the lower jaw. They are unrooted, 
 of simple cylindrical form, and structure. These 
 teeth are not at all fitted for grinding. The 
 sacculated formation of the sloth's stomach, 
 adapted only to receive masticated, pappous 
 shoots and leaves, makes provision for this ap- 
 parent deficiency, compensating as it does for 
 want of hardness and strength of his teeth. "We 
 accordingly find the teeth of the sloth, not at all 
 adapted for grinding, but merely to break down 
 the tender, downy structure of shoots and leaves. 
 
 Professor Owen perceiving the immense size 
 of the tooth under his examination, possessing 
 attributes for tender food only, argued, not- 
 withstanding this apparent delicacy of structure, 
 and feeble organization of the tooth, mons- 
 trosity in the animal owning it. This presented 
 a difficulty. How could such an unwieldy 
 monster as this animal must be, climb trees and 
 shrubs, to feed and obtain subsistence, as do the 
 sloths of our time ? And again, what tree could 
 bear such a prodigious weight? these questions 
 had to be answered. 
 
 Professor Owen, contemplating the whole 
 shape, and make of the mylodon, as also of the 
 megatherium under investigation, came to the 
 conclusion that its enormous forefeet, were formed 
 
37 
 
 to burrow down, and uproot trees. The animal 
 then rearing on its hind legs, and tail, which 
 last was of enormous dimension, by its weight 
 pushed down the trees and felled them to the 
 ground. The meal now lying at its feet, he 
 browsed off its dainties at his leisure. 
 
 This doctrine as we might suppose, did not 
 receive implicit acknowledgment, or a ready 
 acceptance from geologists. Dr. Buckland attri- 
 butes the roots of trees, as the proper food of 
 the niylodon, arguing, that the custom of falling 
 immense trees to gratify hunger, and sustain 
 life, would accidently be the cause of death to 
 the animal, necessitated to practice such means 
 to obtain food. 
 
 The next specimen introduced from South 
 America, helped to unravel a difficulty thus 
 started, and somewhat reconcile these conflict- 
 ing theories. It presented the discovery of a 
 very large fracture of the skull of a kind which 
 could only have occurred during life. This fact, 
 gave a solution of the question, with respect to 
 the probabilities of danger, to which this collossal 
 creature was exposed, of loss of life, while 
 practising the universal instinct, of endeavouring 
 to sustain itself by obtaining food. 
 
 But another difficulty presented itself. It 
 was contrary to the wise provision of the author 
 of the universe, to leave unreconciled, and unex- 
 plained such an apparent incongruity, as coupling 
 means of preservation, and nourishment, in com- 
 bination, with almost inevitable injury and de- 
 struction. 
 
 The train of investigation of Professor 
 Owen, in pursuing his enquiries, was necessarily 
 directed to the developement, and formation 
 of the skull of the Megatherium, and Mylodon. 
 
38 
 
 He found the skull was remarkable, in having two 
 tables as usual, but these tables were separated 
 by air cells. Thus, by this provision, fracture 
 of the outer table of the skull, would not be 
 communicated to the inner one, or necessarily 
 involve any injury to the brain. 
 
 Out of these slender materials of the 
 habits, and anatomy of an extinct specimen of 
 the animal kingdom, science has builded up a 
 theory, which seems satisfactory, and sufficient. 
 The teeth of the megatherium, and mylodon, all 
 molars, consisting of four on each side in the 
 upper jaw, and four in the lower, with a sup- 
 plemental socket behind, are also especially re- 
 markable, and distinguished for the thick coat 
 of cementum, investing their body. These teeth 
 have no roots. 
 
 Paleontological investigations have become 
 definitely determined, as in the instance we have 
 given above, by appeals to the comparative 
 anatomy of the teeth of extinct, with living 
 animals. 
 
 Thus we see the form, and structure of teetb, 
 have assisted to determine the genera and species, 
 not only of existing animals, but of those which 
 have existed, in the universe, before the creation 
 of man. The harmonies thus observed between 
 extinct, and living animals, in their osteological 
 structure, and arrangement, especially in that of 
 the economy and formation of teeth, form a basis 
 upon which to unravel, many interesting material 
 mysteries in nature. 
 
 The teeth therefore are not so barren an 
 organization, as their minute structure, and 
 low vitality would imply. On the contrary, the 
 cursory review of the subject we have taken, es- 
 tablishes their claim to a position in science, and 
 to a philosophical consideration. 
 
CHAPTER Y. 
 
 PATENTED INVENTION OF CAOUTCHOUC FIXATURES 
 
 FOE ARTIFICIAL TEETH, SUSTAINED BY 
 
 ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE. 
 
 We emerge from the dark ages, to look 
 about us in the sixteenth century, when we obtain 
 in the midst of obscurity, and intellectual dark- 
 ness, some returning light. 
 
 Eustachius, who lived in 1563, enunciated 
 clear views of the growth, and form of the 
 teeth. But we arrive at a much later period, 
 before science thoroughly investigated the phy- 
 siology, and economy of the human teeth. In 
 modern times Leuwenhoek first discovered the 
 value of the microscope, having- applied it in 
 anatomical investigations, by which he discovered 
 the tubular structure of tooth bone, or dentine. 
 This was afterwards confirmed by Retzius of 
 Stockholm, and Professor Owen. The science 
 now made rapid progress, much indebted to 
 the professors of Erance from an early period, 
 amongst whom especially should be named the 
 famous Ambrose Pare ; and in recent times the 
 celebrated anatomist Bichat ; also the great natur- 
 alist Cuvier. Chemant, in 1789, made the dis- 
 covery of artificial mineral teeth. 
 
40 
 
 John Hunter, laid the foundation of the 
 English School of dental science, we may go 
 further and say with truth he laid the founda- 
 tion of the science itself. In 1771 he published 
 his "Natural History of the Teeth," a valuable 
 work, and a great accession to the art. 1 his was 
 followed by many practical and scientific works 
 emanating from France and America, as well as 
 our own country, down to the present time. In 
 justice, we should name Blake, Fox, Bell, 
 Professor Owen, JSTasmyth, Tomes, and Goodsir, 
 amongst native eminent naturalists and dentists. 
 Through the industrious labours and scientific 
 researches of these men, the dental art has ar- 
 rived at its present scientific eminence. 
 
 Gardette, in France, was the originator of 
 the application of suction plates, on the principle 
 of atmospheric pressure, for support of artificial 
 palates and teeth. But no modern invention, or 
 improvement, has proved of so much value, 
 and importance in securing to the dental 
 art, the higher claim of science, as has been the 
 introduction of Caoutchouc, as the basis of all 
 mechanical procedures upon the mouth. Gardette's 
 suction plates, and discovery of the applicability 
 of atmospheric pressure, great and inestimable as 
 was its value, would, without the discovery of 
 india rubber for a basis, have been compara- 
 tively worthless. 
 
 It was our good fortune, to develope 
 this principle, when we introduced in 1852, 
 caoutchouc fixatures for the basis of gums, 
 and palates, and for support of artificial teeth in 
 the mouth. We successfully continue to carry out 
 this practice at present, having made the dis- 
 covery at the very moment it was wanted. The 
 application, with any degree of success of atmos- 
 
41 
 
 pheric pressure, for fixatures of the mouth, was 
 altogether impossible, at the period of the art 
 when Gardette made the discovery. For want 
 of knowledge of a material of sufficient plasticity, 
 levity, and resiliency, dense heavy metals, were 
 used, which rudely, and most unsatisfactorily 
 carried out this idea. Thus, in the absence of 
 caoutchouc, this incomparable discovery would 
 have proved unavailable, and have died out. 
 
 Our patent at once solved this problem, 
 and removed difficulties, and impediments to 
 the perfecting of fixatures for the mouth and 
 palate. Caoutchouc, would appear to be the 
 only material in nature, capable of mechanical 
 manipulation, for so delicate, and tender an 
 organ as the mouth; as atmospheric pressure 
 would also appear to be the only cement, or 
 tension adapted to its soft tissues. 
 
 Gutta percha, and every description of 
 metal, had been resorted to, down to the newly 
 discovered metal alluminium, with limited suc- 
 cess, each being attended, with innumerable 
 difficulties and drawbacks. Difficulty of adjust- 
 ment, non-elasticity, or want of resiliency on 
 the one hand; again corrosion, and early or 
 late destruction occurs from oxidation of metals. 
 For dentures made of metals, the hammer and 
 file are required in their adoption, implying in 
 the one case, necessity to use concussion, and 
 in the other, confessing inexactness in fitting. 
 
 These difficulties are * all conquered, and 
 avoided in the use of cauotchouc. The model 
 of the mouth being taken, the process without 
 any further manipulation, is forthwith com- 
 pleted by india rubber, in a state of fusion, or 
 sufficient liquefaction, to be enabled to receive 
 the counter die of the mouth, in a perfect and 
 
42 
 
 natural state. The advantages, thus mechani- 
 cally expressed, speaking eloquently in favour of 
 our patent, are too obvious, to need further 
 insisting upon. 
 
 Again, our patent supersedes all fixings, such 
 as the use of ligatures, or wires of any kind, so much 
 to he deprecated, and so injurious to the soft 
 tissues of the mouth ; they being needless, are never 
 resorted to. Tension of teeth, by our patent is 
 effected in most instances by natural agency, the 
 agency of atmospheric pressure, accomplishes for 
 it all that is required ; a force equal to fifteen 
 pounds weight of pressure, upon every square inch 
 of free space, upon the earth's surface. This force 
 is productive of the most wonderful phenomena 
 in nature, 
 
 Caoutchouc has the singular virtue, of re- 
 sisting the influence of all external agents. 
 The acids of the secretions, and saliva, exercise 
 no influence upon the material of india rubber. 
 Thus, when every other material, used for dental 
 fixatures, and basements, excepting gold, in a very 
 short time becomes corroded, decomposed, and 
 oxidized, caoutchouc remains unaltered, free from 
 any contamination, and is as firmly fixed as, when 
 first placed in position. 
 
 Stopping carious, and decayed teeth, is an 
 important procedure in dental surgery : this is 
 likewise effected by caoutchouc. Its capability 
 of receiving a natural tint, to conceal cavities in 
 front of the mouth, renders it superior to gold 
 for such purpose. This virtue of india rubber, 
 gives a supremacy also over every other material, 
 for excluding air, from the tender nerve, and for 
 the object of temporary stopping, until gold can 
 be resorted to. Nothing certainly transcends, or 
 indeed equals the quality of gold, for filling, or 
 stopping teeth permanently. 
 
43 
 
 The softness of India rubber, as a matrix, or 
 basement ; and its ready conversion into artificial 
 gums, nearly approaching in texture nature's own 
 alveolary tissue, prevents many accidents, so 
 common to mineral teeth, imbedded or fastened 
 in gold plates. This plastic virtue, renders the 
 painful process of removing stumps, so alarming 
 to the patient, unnecessary. 
 
 The capability of india rubber, to re- 
 ceive a perfect impress of the mouth, not 
 only avoids all pressure upon existing stumps 
 and teeth, but affords them complete security, 
 firmness, and support ; so that remaining teeth 
 or stumps may be retained for years. Additional 
 teeth from time to time, may also with the 
 greatest facility and comfort be supplied upon 
 existing basements ; thus avoiding the constantly 
 recurring expense, so much complained of with 
 the use of gold basements. 
 
 Caoutchouc forming the frame, or base- 
 ment, receives the artificial teeth in their beds, 
 nearly as natural teeth, are received in the gums, 
 without requiring any tube, wire, or other ex- 
 traneous appliance, to secure them ; and are 
 capable from their tenuity, and lightness of any 
 kind of adaptability, The teeth become homo- 
 geneous, or solid with the gums, being imbedded 
 into the caoutchouc basement, while they are 
 in that soft, semi-fluid condition, required for 
 modelling. 
 
 Thus is obtained a combination of all required 
 qualities, namely, of lightness, purity, and 
 indestructibility ; caoutchouc being thoroughly 
 inaccessible, to the usual influences which prevail 
 in the atmosphere, and in the secretions of the 
 body. They possess also integral elasticity, so as 
 to conform to, and assume at the usual tempera- 
 
44 
 
 ture or blood heat of the human body, the 
 natural elasticity of lining tissues, and many of 
 the contractile attributes of irritability, peculiar 
 to organized animal matter. 
 
 Casts, from metal, necessarily undergo the 
 bruising, and concussion of the hammer, and 
 the manipulation of the file, to accomplish even 
 approachment, to any degree of accuracy ; both 
 which procedures, especially that of malleation, 
 is inconsistent with the accomplishment of the 
 object intended, and preclude the application of 
 our principles of atmospheric pressure. 
 
 The lightness and tenuity of caoutchouc 
 is such, that it may be made to assume any 
 form, with almost protean variety. Mineral teeth, 
 a great improvement of the present day in cfental 
 art, would have had small justice meted to their 
 undoubted advantages, and merits, but for the 
 discovery of the applicability of suction pressure, 
 and of india rubber fittings. 
 
 Freedom of mineral teeth from possibility of 
 decomposition, has established their undoubted 
 superiority. Other materials used in formation 
 of teeth, have been found deficient in this 
 special virtue ; organic materials especially acquir- 
 ing a corrupt, and disgusting odour, and taint. 
 The capability of mineral teeth, to receive any 
 tint, or colour desired by the wearer, and also of 
 retaining permanently, the particular expression, 
 or colour given, is one of their most valued 
 characteristics. This natural appearance, allied 
 with durability, cleanliness, and strength, com- 
 mend mineral teeth to approval, possessing as 
 they do, complete imitation of the enamel, and 
 pellucid semiopacity of natural teeth. The only 
 want, or requirement remaining to be supplied, 
 was suitable basements, for fitting these newly 
 invented dentures. 
 
45 
 
 No cunning craft of the goldsmith, could 
 obviate the objections to metals, which we have 
 described. The key stone in the circle of dental 
 science was yet wanting, until our good fortune, 
 made the discovery, of the applicability of caout- 
 chouc, and atmospheric pressure, to render the 
 dental art perfect by their fittings, and con- 
 trivance. 
 
 The perfection to which mineral teeth have 
 now attained, by the improvements of Mr. Ash, 
 and Mr. Lemale, have left nothing to be desired, 
 combining as they do, with a perfect model of the 
 natural tooth, its precise form, and shape, so as to 
 challenge comparison, and defy detection. Whereas, 
 natural teeth when substituted, would require a 
 costly annual restoration, with their fittings, and 
 basements, India rubber basements supplied with 
 mineral teeth, endure for years, or the term of 
 life. They may in a sense, be almost considered 
 superior to the original, or natural teeth, as 
 merely mechanical manducators, wanting only 
 the nervous connection conferring tactile sense, 
 to make them life-like. Thus, the various crafts 
 of graver, lapidary, and goldsmith, are engaged 
 in the operations of the skilful dentist, as they 
 were also enlisted, in the studio of Benvenuto 
 Cellini, to accomplish his divine achievements. 
 
 It is no common, or inferior skill that will 
 suffice, or screen the dentist, from severe criticism, 
 if he does not practice the art with skill and 
 judgment. Nor can the profession, with any 
 justice complain of want of due appreciation, by 
 their patrons the public. The profession is fairly 
 estimated in all grades of society, as capable of 
 conferring great benefits in regard to the health, 
 and comfort of individuals. 
 
 Empiricism no longer assumes pretensions, in 
 
46 
 
 presence of the advanced progress of mechanical 
 skill. The simplicity with which our caout- 
 chouc inventions have solved every difficulty, 
 has left no chance for mystery, or imposition. 
 The profession is no longer an uncertain art, in 
 which any ignorant pretender may embark, 
 having for his motto, fiat experimentum in corpora 
 vili. 
 
 " For the dull world, most honour pay to those 
 Who on their understanding most impose." 
 
 Since artificial mineral teeth, have arrived at 
 the perfection, and purity they at present pos- 
 sess, they subserve every requirement dental 
 deficiency demands. Ivory so called, produced 
 from tusks, either of elephant, walruss, or hip- 
 popotamus, may be occasionally found advantage- 
 ous, and applicable to particular circumstances. 
 Mineral teeth possess in a greater degree 
 durability, strength, and incapability of corrosion 
 or corruption, than those prepared from ivory, or 
 even from natural teeth of any kind, human 
 or of animals. We can not only as we have 
 related above, imitate nature in a perfect degree 
 so as to produce a fac simile, of the most beau- 
 tiful type of tooth, but also give mineral teeth a 
 permanent tint, the shade of which is so inim- 
 itably true, as to excite admiration. These are 
 the advantages possessed by our mineral teeth, 
 and caoutchouc basements. Mineral teeth being 
 more durable than natural teeth; caoutchouc 
 basements possessing also almost every quality of 
 living organic matter; at the same time are 
 not liable to the decomposition, and corruption 
 inseparable from animal organic matter. 
 
 If instead of possessing so many virtues, 
 they were accompanied with defects, and draw- 
 
47 
 
 backs, this singular compensating virtue of clean- 
 liness, in addition to purity, and incorruptibility 
 would give them a decided preference, and 
 support. In addition, they possess a recom- 
 mendation appreciated by all, that of economy, 
 and cheapness. 
 
 Pew are those happy beings, who are exempt 
 from sufferings, which demand the regard, and 
 care of the dentist, we may truly say " apparent 
 rari nantes" here, and there, they may be found 
 amongst good, and amongst bad society, but 
 strange to say, are more often found amongst 
 the savage, than the civilized. 
 
 Teeth are lost from a multitude of ac- 
 cidents, and causes, yet we must enforce, 
 that a single tooth cannot be lost with im- 
 punity, to the animal economy. Animals in 
 a state of nature, never have their teeth diseased. 
 Whole tribes of savages, are exempt from dental 
 disease. Even our domestic animals, are less privi- 
 leged than the savage, since horse and dog, are 
 often afflicted with toothache. Yet how little re- 
 gard is had to the remedy at hand, how few avail 
 themselves of the benefit, which at every corner 
 beckons them to participate. Dentists abound 
 almost as plentifully as parsnips ; " cur moriatur 
 homo, cui salvice crescit in horto ?" 
 
 " If fools have ulcers, and their pride conceal 'em, 
 They must have ulcers still, for none can heal 'em." 
 
 Lord Chesterfield says : " Fine and clean teeth, 
 are among the first recommendations, to be met 
 with in the common intercourse of life." 
 
 It has been our good fortune, to have prac- 
 tised for a cycle of ten years, with the greatest 
 success, and most encouraging approval of the 
 public, our first discovery, in the application of 
 
48 
 
 caoutchouc fittings, and bases. It affords us 
 great pleasure, not unmixed with a feeling of 
 pride, to announce a further improvement, upon 
 the same material. The capabilites of a new 
 discovery are seldom tested, or only fully brought 
 out, after experience has given its proverbial 
 teaching. Ten years of such experience, and prac- 
 tise, with india rubber, have confirmed our faith in 
 its unrivalled value, making us also familiar 
 with its deficiencies ; which we have at length 
 succeeded in conquering in the most satisfactory 
 manner. These deficiences, may be comprised in 
 a few words, but the newly discovered aurifero- 
 vulcanite bases, to which we now beg to call 
 attention, entirely obviate them. 
 
 Caoutchouc fittings were accompanied 
 with objections, most familiar to those, 
 who least appreciated their virtues. Thus, 
 although possessing all the good qualities, 
 we have so much insisted on in these 
 pages, in their manufacture, they will occasion- 
 ally come from the mould with rough irregular 
 surfaces, requiring to be polished, to prevent 
 irritation of the sensitive tissues of the mouth. 
 This necessary process, unfortunately disturbs, 
 and alters the matrix of the die, preventing that 
 exact fit, so essential to develope, the full force 
 of atmospheric pressure. 
 
 These difficulties, and requirements, are now 
 fully satisfied, and obtained through the agency 
 of the aurifero-vulcanite envelope. By the means 
 of this envelope, the perfect model of the mouth 
 obtained in the mould, from the wax impress, is 
 rendered inviolate, and permanently preserved; 
 no mechanical interference, or disturbance being 
 required, to remove irregularities, effect smooth- 
 ness, or to give a polish. 
 
49 
 
 The gold being chemically applied, neither 
 disturbs, or in any way alters the impress, 
 derived from the wax. Metallic dies, neces- 
 sarily expand and contract, from subjection to 
 various temperatures of heat. They from this 
 disturbance, are rendered unfit to receive casts, 
 of such delicate mouldings, becoming invariably 
 more, or less warped, and strained in the process 
 of forming them. 
 
 "We have no hesitation, in announcing this 
 improvement, since it confers so many advantages 
 that it may be justly hailed as a new era in dental 
 art. 
 
 "We strongly advise sufferers, to resort to 
 the early substitution of artificial teeth, upon 
 loss, or decay of any of their natural teeth. 
 This timely regard, prevents extension of mischief, 
 proving the means, of affording incalculable com- 
 fort to the patient, and is also a truly economical 
 proceeding. If neglected, the gums, and alveo- 
 lary receptacles of the teeth become implicated 
 in disease, rendering the mouth uncomfortable, 
 by spreading mischief to the neighbouring teeth ; 
 thus, preventing the unfortunate sufferer, par- 
 ticipating in the enjoyment of his food, so 
 requisite, to participation in the various pleasures 
 of life and health. 
 
 Our mineral teeth, supported on caoutchouc 
 bases, with the valuable improvements they now 
 possess of the aurifero-vulcanite, can be applied 
 individually, or in sets, with every degree of capa- 
 bility to fulfil the functions of articulation and 
 mastication. 
 
COSTCLUSIOtf. 
 
 Having said this much about teeth, in many 
 of their relations, physiological, anatomical, 
 poetical, antiquarian, and historical, our especial 
 object, in having so done, no doubt will be ob- 
 vious to our readers. We have found this dis- 
 cursive treatment of teeth, an attractive, and 
 rather fascinating theme. Teeth, have vindicated 
 their claim to an antiquity, which no expression 
 of lapse of time, can realize. They link the 
 present inhabitants of the world, with a period 
 so distant, and with inhabitants so different and 
 remote, that probably, but few of the varieties of 
 the present dwellers upon earth, or water, can 
 claim any relation, or contemporaneous connection 
 with them. 
 
 "We may say that we enjoy a privilege, of 
 somewhat ancient date in the treatment of 
 human teeth. Our name being connected with 
 the first patented invention for artificial teeth, 
 in the prepared india rubber. Having in 1852, 
 made this valuable discovery, we secured it by 
 letters patent. 
 
 The teeth are organic portions of the 
 animal system. Their bony substance, is much 
 harder, than that of the bones of the body, 
 containing less gelatinous matter. Teeth are 
 supplied with blood vessels, and nerves, being 
 
51 
 
 susceptible' under disease, of a high degree of 
 sensibility. 
 
 "We have before stated that enamel, may be 
 considered extraneous to the system, not being in 
 any manner either nourished, or reproduced. It is 
 liable to destruction, and external injury, by the 
 slow disintegration of chemical decomposition, or 
 mechanical mischief, and hence offers a weak 
 vulnerable point, for access of disease to the tooth. 
 The bony substance of the tooth, is very liable to 
 inflammation of its organic structure, by injury, 
 or destruction of the enamel, or from internal 
 sources of disease, or decay of that low kind, 
 peculiar to bony structure. This condition of 
 low organization, in connection with the exposed 
 surfaces, of a great portion of the bony substance 
 of the tooth, make it amenable to the diseases, 
 peculiar to bone in general, as well as to other 
 diseases, sui generis. 
 
 Thus, from the above circumstances, teeth 
 do not possess sufficient vitality, to effect the 
 process of exfoliation, of dead portions of 
 their structure, after inflammation, as the pre- 
 liminary step, to the renovation of the dead 
 part. Other bones, are capable of this res- 
 toration, and renovation. 
 
 We do not intend to give a history of 
 the diseases of teeth ; we may merely remark, 
 that caries, attacking as it does the crown of the 
 tooth, after destruction of the enamel, is the 
 prolific agent of mischief, by ultimate exposure 
 of the nerve to sources of external irritation. 
 But injury, of infinitely greater magnitude, finds 
 a mechanical remedy in our artificial india rubber 
 palates. The victims of lost or defective palate, 
 either from congenital malformation, or resulting 
 from constitutional disease, are truly objects of 
 commiseration. 
 
52 
 
 Destruction of the arch of the palate, is cer- 
 tainly one of the greatest afflictions, to which 
 man is amenable in social life. This condition 
 from caries of the palatal, and nasal bones, 
 renders the individual sufferer totally incapable 
 of articulation, or of distinct intelligible utter- 
 ance. Thus, the patient being deprived, of the 
 most agreeable intercourse in life, becomes an 
 alien in society. Unfortunately, this is the 
 smallest privation to which he is subjected, by 
 such visitation of disease. By destruction of 
 the palatal bones, or of the vomer, and nasal 
 bones, which are the natural divisions between 
 nose and mouth, food and liquids, find a common 
 way, rendering the patient an object of disgust 
 to himself, and unfit to mingle in the social 
 circle. Snuffling, coughing, and inarticulate 
 attempts at utterance, aggravating the painful 
 condition of the sufferer. 
 
 This deplorable calamity, is fortunately of 
 rare occurrence, in the present day. Improved 
 civilization, has brought greater attention to 
 decency, self-respect, and cleanliness. More- 
 over, medical science, aided by advanced physio- 
 logical investigation, has enabled us, to measure 
 remedies, so as to appropriate, and vindicate 
 their virtues, without approaching their vices; 
 for in many instances, the more inveterate the 
 poison, the more valuable is the remedy. 
 Our India-rubber palates, supported by atmos- 
 pheric pressure, are sufficient to remedy, and 
 obviate all these distressing conditions. 
 
 The celebrated French Physician, Ambrose 
 Pare, claims the merit of invention of artificial 
 palates, as early as the year 1585. Ambrose 
 Pare's invention was improved by Fauchard, 
 and Bourdet. 
 
3 
 
 "Whether it be refraction, from the 
 enamel of the teeth, which throws a play- 
 ful radiation of light, over the expressive ruddy 
 line ol the lips, or not, suffice it to say, that 
 all the delights, and passions of human nature 
 have their expression seated on the mouth. 
 
 In the expression of anger, indignation, or 
 disgust, the mouth becomes deformed, by eleva- 
 tion of the angle, showing the teeth, only in 
 a partial, and distorted manner. In joy, and 
 pleasure, the mouth becomes playfully relaxed, 
 and expanded, with uniformly curling lines, 
 displaying the teeth in smiling rows. There 
 is great variety among different individuals in 
 the expression of their teeth, or perhaps more 
 properly speaking in the expression of the mouth. 
 In the joyful, genial man, pleased with the good- 
 ness of creation, having health also to enjoy it, the 
 mouth assumes an universal smile, and pleasure 
 beams from his countenance. 
 
 Caoutchouc, in its improved state of manu- 
 facture by Goodyear, came to our hands, and 
 by its capabilities, we have at length achieved, 
 the ne plus ultra of mechanical invention, in 
 artificial palates, and other fixatures, for which 
 it is so singularly, and peculiarly adapted. 
 Thus, articulation, mastication, and deglutition 
 are completely restored to the suffering, and 
 miserable patient, by this ingenious substitute, 
 which we have invented since 1852. 
 
 Mr. Goodyear is an American, not by pro- 
 fession a dentist, or engaged in the art of 
 dentistry. He greatly improved the material of 
 india-rubber for dental, as well as for general 
 purposes, and obtained various patents, for the 
 improved manufacture, of vulcanized India- 
 rubber, This gentleman, knowing our early 
 
54 
 
 claims in the invention, and use of India- 
 rubber, for purposes of the mouth., on his 
 visit to England in 1853, made very liberal 
 overtures to us, to connect his name, as also 
 the patents, of this new material of vulcanized 
 India-rubber, to carry out our valuable dis- 
 coveries. 
 
 Although fully acknowledging the merits 
 of Mr. Goody ear's discovery, and improve- 
 ments in the manufacture of India-rubber, 
 of which we have availed ourselves, this offer 
 was declined. We knew the original, and 
 intrinsic merits of our system, its elasticity 
 of application, and that it possessed such ex- 
 tensive capabilities, that any merely material 
 improvements, in the manufacture, or manipula- 
 tion of the staple, could be appropriated with 
 great facility at any time. 
 
 " The divine Montaigne, who pours out all 
 so plain," in his essays, says "Nothing (in 
 meats) offends me, but toughness ; not for want 
 of teeth, which I have ever had good even 
 to excellence, and which age does but now 
 begin to threaten ; for I have ever been used 
 every morning to rub them with a napkin, 
 and before, and after dinner. God is favour- 
 able to those whom he makes to die by 
 degrees; 'tis the only benefit of old age; 
 the last death will be so much the less full 
 and painful ; it will kill but half, or a quarter 
 of a man. I had one tooth lately fall out 
 without drawing, and without pain; it was 
 the natural term of its duration; both that 
 part of my being, and several others are 
 already dead, and others half dead, of those 
 that were most active, and in highest esteem 
 during my vigorous years ; so methinks I 
 melt, and steal away from myself." 
 
55 
 
 Thus we can easily conceive the anxiety 
 manifested by well conditioned people for the 
 state of their teeth, our wonder being that the 
 feeling is not more universal. 
 
 The human teeth, subserve to the purpose 
 of speech, articulation, and voice, as well as for 
 preparing food, for the process of digestion. 
 This is not the case in other animals than man, 
 When in advanced age, teeth are lost, and 
 alveolary processes become absorbed, man is no 
 longer a speaking, feeding, or peptic animal. 
 Life, at this time is preparing for that re- 
 newed juvenility, only to be arrived at and 
 consummated through death, decay, and cor- 
 ruption an universal penalty inflicted by the 
 laws of life, to fulfil the ordinations of the 
 universe. Thus speech is lost when teeth are 
 lost, 
 
 ' Nee vox hominem sonat." Virg. 
 
 John Hunter says, of the front teeth, 
 t( They come on the child, just as he is 
 beginning to speak, and at that time, are so 
 loose, as really to be of little use in masti- 
 cation," which circumstances would imply, that 
 their immediate function, was to develope the 
 voice, and assist articulation, and speech in 
 childhood. 
 
 In all the races of mankind, the teeth 
 are found similar ; the number and conform- 
 ation, being the same amongst the various 
 races of man. 
 
 Among those tribes, in whom the jaws are 
 prominent, namely, the Negro, and also in the 
 Guanche mummies, of the Canaries, as noticed by 
 Dr. Prichard, the front incisors, have an oblique 
 or slanting position, being also thick in their 
 
56 
 
 bodies ; thus, instead of having the ordinary cut- 
 ting edges, they have the appearance of truncated 
 cones. The same peculiarity has been noticed in 
 Egyptian skulls. It is doubtful whether this is 
 a normal, or original difference in form, or not. 
 
 The direct, or perpendicular facial line, is not 
 seen in other animals, than man. The facial line, in 
 some animals, ranging from an oblique, almost 
 approaches the horizontal line. The small pouting 
 mouth, with erectile lips, round, and prominent 
 cheeks, nose smoothly developed, with uniform 
 teeth, characterize the physiognomy of man. The 
 vertical position of the incisors, in the lower jaw 
 of man, assist to give that remarkable prominence 
 of chin, terminating in the almost square maxil- 
 lary base, entirely absent in animals, whose nose, 
 mouth, and lower jaw, are nearly on a parallel 
 line. 
 
 Next to the eye, no doubt the mouth is 
 the seat of most expression in the human face. 
 The face thus beautifully developed, becomes the 
 index of the mind the stage upon which the 
 passions play, and from which we may derive our 
 knowledge of the inner man. 
 
DUE 
 
 MAR 2 6 
 
 suaworrcmECAU.