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

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

Licence: Public Domain Mark

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

    57/100 (page 53)
    Moreover, it is known to exist in blood,* the serum absorbing it to as great an extent as water. If we return to the causes that remove bone and tooth structure by what is called absorption, we must conclude that whatever may be the pro- cess, the bone-earths must be carried away in solution; for, to say that it is done by absorption, is to confess we know nothing of the process. How, whatever may be the dissolving agent, it must exist or be generated within the system; all that appears to be necessary is the absence or removal of a nominally protecting organic tissue. Thus we see that the part of ivory pegs in- serted into living bone becomes absorbed, while that without the bone remains entire, f The same must hold true in the removal of the lime during the absorption of the fangs of the deciduous teeth. Again, what but carbonic acid that is present in an abscess % can dissolve and remove the lime from the substance of the dentine || at a con- siderable distance beneath the gum, where no agent could have access unless it existed within the system ? * The experiment of Lehmann shows that the proportion of carbonic acid in the blood is 70 per 1,000, if we merely employ agitation or other mechanical measures ; and 300 per 1,000, on the addition of an acid.—Bequerel & Bodier, p. 417. f Stanley, “ Lancet,” Oct. 11, 1851. X Bequerel & llodier, p. 418, 1. c. | The case illustrative of this circumstance is given in the Appendix.