A short essay on the teeth : showing the value and importance of these organs, and their effects upon the constitution, when diseased : with directions for their proper management, in order to secure sound and healthy teeth, or restore them to health and usefulness when decayed / by C.S. Knapp.

  • Knapp, C. S.
Date:
1851
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A short essay on the teeth : showing the value and importance of these organs, and their effects upon the constitution, when diseased : with directions for their proper management, in order to secure sound and healthy teeth, or restore them to health and usefulness when decayed / by C.S. Knapp. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    The Effects of Diseased Teeth and Gums upon the Constitution. WnEN we consider the intimate connection which exist* between the teeth and other parts of the human body, it will not appear strange that, when these organs be- come diseased, the whole system becomes sympatheti- cally affected, and suffers in proportion to the extent of the local malady, modified by its seat, the constitution, and the general state of the system. Dr. Hunter says— One might at first imagine that the diseases of the teeth are very simple, but expe- rience shows the contrary. These diseases, considered abstractly, are, indeed, very simple ; but, by the rela- tions which they bear to the body in general, and to the parts with which they are immediately connected, they become extremely complicated. The diseases which may arise, in consequence of those of the teeth, arc various : Pulmonary Consumption, Dyspepsia, Ear-ache, Weak and Inflamed Eyes, Ner- vous Affections, (Tic Douloureux, Rheumatic Affections, Sympathetic Headache, Epilepsy, Hysteria, etc.,) In- flammation and Abscess of the Antrum and Areolar Abscess. Many other diseases might be named which are caused by a diseased state of the teeth and gums. Dr. Fitch, in his work on Dental Surgery, says— Diseased teeth are apt to produce disease in the neigh boring parts, frequently of very serious consequences. The reason of this is very plain. The teeth are supplied with nerves from the fifth pair, which are the grand medium of sensation to the face and eyes, and indirectly, by means Of the great pneumo-gastric nerve, with the lungs, stomach, and other important organs. Hence, it will not appear strange if diseased teeth, by means of these communications and.connections, should produce, under some states of the system, derangements and diseases of a malignant and dangerous character. Dr. Rush, in his work entitled Medical Inquiries, says— I am disposed to believe that diseased teeth are often unsuspected causes of general, and particularly of nervous diseases. The morbid effects of the acrid and putrid matters which are sometimes discharged from carious teeth, or from ulcers in the gums, created by them ; also, the influence which both have in preventing