: '■/ ' ■ i Kr - C. '■< i •< ,i r f 'r'f ' I ' V I J. • s’ ' f , ' . 4 ' . •'M , . . . II, . ' V- . |!T J .. 4 ) > ' . \ . 3 . ri; V ?! >, b 7 j ■' r -v' : : '' , V -1. f n ■. ■; V' W , 7 i r 1 -- : ' ' V- •« ’ -W-V , ; : ^ ■ i.ju - / 76 . : l 'i - / / «->■ j ,,.s ; " ; " [ ' v> . : . , ••• v w v v . K. ;l : I- , 7 1 > ' I . ' . ... . •* - ,7 W ... a * . \ i ■ M ir- . v .t * ■ k a; ^ C fov- ", /' '■ if- 7 . * . i, • ,„i- ./ , *•, •'/ \ v wr, , 'i *», ./ • V' . ■ V • ■' h ■ A i if - . \i 1 i V- 1 \ - , ' , > , ‘ • - ■ /yj ■ 7 , f v, ■ ? ,Sm V J ' : 7 1 7; •'*’>. • ■ ' , , . / ■ ' -V ' t ">v TREATISE f ,, ON THE ■: • TEETH. ~h:> c!j» . ' . • • .J (Price One Shilling.) I BOOKS Printed for LOCKYER DAVIS. I. TJj IPPOCRATES upon Air, Water, and Si- tuation; upon Epidemical Difeafesj and upon Prognofticks in acute Cafes efpedally. To which is added, the Life of Hippocrates from So- rams and 'Thucydides’s Account of the Plague of Athens. The whole tranflated methodically, and illuftrated with ufeful and explanatory Notes. By Francis Clifton , M. D. Fellow of the College of Phyficians, and of the Royal Society. The Second Edition, Price 5 s . II. New and extraordinary Obfervations con¬ cerning the Predictions and various Crifes by the Pulfe, independant of the critical Signs delivered by the Ancients, made by the long Experience of feveral eminent Phyficians, and illuftrated with many new Cafes and Remarks. To which are added, fome Hints on the Nature, the ancient Obfervance and modern NegleCt of Crifes. By James Hihelly M. D. The Second Edition* Price 2 s . III. THEOPHRASTUS’S Hiftory of Stones, with an Englilh Verfion, and illuftrated with cri¬ tical and philofophical Notes, including the Mo¬ dern Hiftory of Gems and precious Stones de- fcribed by that Author, and of many other natural Folfils. By John Hill , M. D. To which are added, two Letters, one to Dr. Parfons , F.R.S. on the Colour of Sapphire Turquois ; and the other to Martin Folkes , Efq; upon the EffeCfs of different Menftruums on Copper : Both tending to illuftrate the DoClrine of Gems being colour’d by Metal¬ line Particles. Price 2 s. 6 d+. A TREATISE on The TEETH. WHEREIN The true Caufes of the feveral Diforders to which they are liable, are confidered; and the Precautions neceffary to their Prefervation particularly pointed out. TOGETHER WITH Obfervatiotis on the Pra&ice of Scaling the Teeth: On the Ufe of Dentrific Powders in general i And on the Difeafes of Children in the Time of Toothing . A. TOLVER L 0 N D Printed for Lockyer Davis, at Lord Bacon's Head near Salijbury-Court 9 Fleet-Street . 1752. « i e>lh?cy' ' I 13 i~bsii\ ... rHt- /•v & ,4 * ,. V ' a ’ '• / r~ r* > * !.• <-- .*>5 I " ;: v : x »r«S > ****>*( ^ * P v * if a ... * r . ... V »*• * ‘ . .•. »• • f, ■* j "•■ V? I —~» C ■ >•<• .'• 7 * . ; . *■'. <»•»■« V 4 k • 'J ?• « ■ , • -I s . .»■ ,■■. . •■ * •/:»■» .. » .. ? »: e V I »• •' ■ •' \ •••*•• " >. ; > .. • ; / 1 r» : <. (A V ( 1 )) A TREATIS E ON THE T E E T H. T HE Teeth, which are the hard • Formation , eft and fmootheft Bones of the Body, are Formed within the Cavities of the Jaws. Above the Gums they are not covered by any Membrane, but within their Sockets are inverted with the common covering of all other Bones; viz. the Periojleum , a fine tranfparent Skin, obfervable in feraping any Bone, after the Meat is taken clean off. The Number of Teeth in a grown Perfon are generally thirty-fix; more or lefs according to x\ge, Conftitution, &c. As they are not all formed at once, fo neither do they all appear at the fame time; the laft but one, of the great Teeth in each Jaw, ’tis remarkable, fel- dom appears ’till about the Age of twen- B ty~ / tv-one, and the laft, fometimes not till that of forty. J * Each Tooth is compofed of an in¬ ternal bony Subftance, and an exter¬ nal vitrious Cortex , of a folid hard Con¬ fidence, and of the Colour of Ivory. The Ufes of this gloffy Subftance are to prevent the Teeth being worn by the Fricftion they undergo in Maftica- tion or Chewing; and to preferve their bony Subltance from the Air. The different Shape and Series of the Teeth are fufficiently obvious; the four front Teeth in each Jaw which are thin and broad, are called Incijfores or Cutters, from their cutting or dividing the Aliment. The Canini or Dog-teeth, which are two in each Jaw, are fo call¬ ed from their Refemblance to the Tufks of a Dog; tliofe of the upper Jaw are by fome, called the Eye-teeth, from the Communication of Nerves betwixt them and the Eyes; they are thick and round, terminating in a fliarp Point, and like the Incijfores have but one Root, but are remarkably ftrong, and of a greater Length than any of the reft: Their proper Ufe being to pierce, and hold the Ali- ( 3 ) Aliment Ready when we bite it, as the front Teeth are very apt to be forced outwards by the Things we hold or break with them* The large or double Teeth, are by Anatomifts called Molares or Grinders, from their Ufe in grinding and making fmall our Aliment before it is fwallowed. They are ten in each Jaw, their Extremi¬ ties are broad and uneven,and becaufe the Preflure upon them is perpendicular, they are provided with two or three, and fometimes four Roots feparated a little from one another, and inclining fomewhat outwards, that in chewing our Aliment the Preflure may be lefs upon the Jaws, than if they run dire&ly down¬ wards, and with only a Angle Root. The firfl: Teeth, according to Hip¬ pocrates, are engendered in Time of Preg¬ nancy , this Urbain Hemard confefles he never could difcover; he fays, indeed, that having opened the Jaws of fome Children three or four Days old, and others immediately at their Birth, he has found the Inci{[ores, the Canini, and fome of the Molares on each Side the Jaw in part oflified, and in part mud*- B 2 lagi- ( 4 ) laglnous, of a middling Size, and fur- rounded with their little Alveoli. However this may be, it is certain they do not appear, until fome Time af¬ ter the Formation of the other Bones, notwithftanding the Matter of which they are formed, is at the fame Time in the Womb3 and therefore Galen* writes, that he who would underftand the Works of Nature, and obferve her Oeconomy in the Compofition of the human Body, ought not implicitly to rely on what he finds in Books, but rather what he fees with his Eyes. The Teeth are formed within the Ca¬ vities of the Jaws, which are lined with a thin Membrane, fupplied with feveral Veffels, conveying a thick, vifcous, tranf- parent Liquor, which as it increafes, hardens into the Form of Teeth. This tranfparent Humour appears firft in Form of a Mucus, afterwards a thin cortical Lamella , and fome pffious Strata are perceived, with a large Cavity in the Middle, then gradually both the vitHous and bony Parts increafe by the hardening of the Mucus, and Oppofition of new Matter. * De UfuPartium , Lib, ii. Chap, 3. The ( 5 ) The oflious Strata are no other than a Separation of this fluid Matter, made by the fame Membrane which covers the whole Cavity of the Jaw; and this Divifion forms two Lays, one below the other, the uppermoft of which forms the Teeth which come out firft; but about the feventh Year, they are thruft out by the Teeth made at the under moil Lay, which then begin to fprout ;if thefc latter be loft, they feldom if ever grow again ; fome are indeed obferved to fhed their Teeth twice, which muft be owing to their having three Lays of this Matter. The Teeth receive Nerves and Vcflels at the Orifices of their Roots ; it is thefe Nerves which are afflidted in the Tooth- ach, and which are frequently fhewn to the common People, by the ignorant among Tooth-drawers, for Worms; which they pretend would have eaten the whole Tooth in a fhort time, Part of thefe Nerves being always torn away with the Tooth drawn, it requires ' great Care to keep the Mouth warm un¬ till the Gum becomes clofed, and the Nerve defended from the Air, This Orifice commonly clofes about the ( 6 ), the Age of thirty-five, which is the Reafon why old People are not fo fub- jedt to the Tooth-ach as young. . The firft Teeth perceived, are the Inci(fores of the upper Jaw, then thofe of the lower, thefe being the thinneft and fharpeft. After them appear the Ca- nini , and laft of all the Molares. \T * , > • r » • > The general Opinion is, that the Teeth are conne&ed to thin Alveoli , or Sockets, by that kind of Suture called Gomphofis , that is, like a Nail drove in¬ to a Piece of Wood; but this is proved to be falfe by the following Experiment. If the Jaws be macerated in Water, for fome Time, all the Teeth will drop out, which they would not do, if they were of the fame Size of their Alveoli . From hence it appears, that it is by a Liga - merits or by the Articulation called Syn r chondrojis. That the Teeth are joined to their Sockets by fome means like this is evi¬ dent, for when a Tooth hath been drawn and replaced immediately, it hath taken root, and been as firm as ever, which could not have happened, had not ( 7 ) not the Cavity been lined with a Mem¬ brane, which contained it. After all that can be faid concerning the Formation of the Teeth, nothing will fo much illuftrate the Tooth in Em- brio, as that called the Sweet-Tooth in a Calf, by which the Reader may form an Idea, not only of the Colour and Sub- ftance of the Mucus, or Juice ufually fuck'd out, but of the Lamella or Shell- work itfelf. The Teeth are fo neceflary to Man, The U/e that I conceive the greateft Diffi-^f^f culty of his fubfifting in the younger eet ' part of his Life without them : Certain it is, that the ftrongeft Conftitution, would not be able to digeft or feparate a Quantity of Chyle fufficient for the Nourilhment of the Body for any con- fiderable Time, were the Aliment to be fwallowed whole and unprepared; for it is well known how much the chewing our Aliment contributes to the eafy and expeditious Digeftion of it, and confequently to our Health. There are indeed many old People and others, who for want of Teeth are confined to a liquid Diet, fuch as Broths, Jellies, Milk, ( * ) Milk, &c. for the Sake of an eafy Di~ geftion. To thofe in old Age, I think fuch a Diet not only proper, but very neceflary ; for Nature, by the Decay of Strength, the Lofs of Teeth, and the gradual Diminution of our Senfes, feems to have appointed this Time, as a Re¬ turn to our primary Innocence 5 that we may make our Exit in fome Meafurc conformable with our Birth: And at this Time the Weaknefs of the Body generally renders it incapable of per¬ forming the natural Fun&ions, and con- fequently of digefting fuc^i Meats, as before it had been accuftomed to. Upon a tranfient Refle&ion we might imagine it injudicious of Nature to leave Age thus helplefs and unable to fupport itfelf, but upon a more careful Survey, we lhall find in this, as well as in all her Works, that her Oeconomy is ab- folutely juft, and that every minute Va¬ riation of Form, &c. is important: Whenever we think otherwife, we ought always to fufpedt our Capacities of being too grofs to comprehend the Sublimity of her Wifdom. The Lofs of Teeth to an old Man, is in Fadt but trifling, for the Human Body is fo providentially difpofed, that as ( 9 ) fes the natural Powers begin to lefTen in their Force and Adion, the lefs is required in the Conftitution to maintain that Force and Addon; and that a lefs Quantity of Chyle Will better nourifh and fupport Health in old Age* is a Truth every Anatomill: is able to af> fert, for it is frequently feen in the Dif- fedions of the older Subjeds, that ny of the fmall VeflelSj and fometimes Part of the larger alfo have been collapL ed and grown up, fo as to rejed the Fluid that ufed to circulate through them : And this is one Reafon w r hy old People are moft fubjed to paralytic Diforders* * If the Number of Veflels be dimini/h- cd, as in this Cafe they certainly are, then is there the lefs required to fail them, and the Body is more eahiy fup- ported than before, and from hence it is, that we can fo well difpenfe with the Lofs of Teeth when old : But when this Lofs happens earlier in Life, I think it mayjuftly be deemed very great, fince it is capable of depriving us of our Health, our Beauty, our Voice: Nor does the Inconveniency Hop here, it\ proves of Detriment even to Society. C ' If ( IO ) If fucli cxtenfive Eftcdts appear ftrange, let tlie Hufbandman, fo necef- fary to Society, be viewed in this State, and we fhall foon be convinced, that the Want of Teeth is of greater Mo¬ ment than is commonly imagined : It would oblige him to live on a liquid Diet, by no means proper in his labo¬ rious Employ ; for we are not the leaf!: capable to iupport the continual Action of the Body (and which in his Bulinefs is almoft violent) without proper Food ; I mean fuch as will remain fomeTime in the Stomach and yield its Nourifhment gradually to the lacteal Veflels, which receive and carry it to the Blood. This is always performed by fuchTooA either animal or vegetable. And if the Diet of the Labourer confifted only of thofe Juices exclufive of the Subftances, tho* thefe latter afford no Part of Nou¬ rifhment, yet the Body would wafte, the Fibres would become lax, the In- teftines would lofe their Tone, and a general Languor would feize the whole Body ; and if not relieved by a Change of Diet, a Diarrhea , Dropfy, &c. would be the certain Introduction to Death. * i The \ ( 11 ) The Confequence of a liquid Diet is no where more obvious, than in the old Jidentary Man, in whom, by an inac¬ tive Life, the Vifcera are rendered weak, and the Vigour of the digefting Powers in a great Meafure loft for want of Ufe. He is indeed better able to fupport Life than the working Man, as he is void of the Fatigue; but with what great Difficulty it is effedted, may be feen in his pale lan¬ guid Countenance, his emaciated Bo¬ dy, and the Defedt of Vigour in his Motion. I cannot help refledling in this Place on the general Error of Men fond of Study, whofe contemplative Geniufes ki- clining them to a Life, in other Refpedls full of Indolence and Neglect, they fup- pofe it agreeable to their Way of Life, to eat their Aliment liquid, and pre¬ pared for an expeditious Paffage in the Primce Vice ; in this Method they feem to imitate Birds and other Animals, which, in the room of Teeth, Nature has fupplied with two Stomachs. Where in the firft the Corn is only fwelled and foftened by the Liquor of its Glands, but broken and difolved in the fecond ; which is compofed of very ftrong Muf- C 2 fcies. ( I 2 ) cles. 'This Qeconomy is wonderful in the Animal, but by no means applicable to the rational Creature, Although the Pot and other Implements ufed in Cook¬ ery, where the Aliment receives fome Degrees of Digeftion, may bear fome Analogy to the firft Stomach in the AnL mal, yet the Operation is different, it is by the Succus Gajlricus , a Liquor fepa-? rated by the Glands of the Stomach, that the Corn is made foft and fitted to the Adtion of the lecond Stomach, where it is received together with the Tuices of the firft. But in boiling, the moft nutrimental Parts are loft, the more volatile and fpiritous evaporate, while the grofs fatty Parts are blended with the Water. Therefore whoever takes down the Subftance loads the Stomach to very little Purpofe, and whoever drinks the Broth will relax his Stomach, and rob it of the Vigour required to perform its Office. But nothing will fo much con¬ vince ,qs of the Impropriety of fuch a Regimen, as a Knowledge of Digeftion, and the Manner of its being performed ; which for the Sake of fuch Readers as are unacquainted with thefe Subjects we ( r 3 ) we will take a curfory View of in its firft Stages, . The principal Agents employed in this Adtion, are the Teeth, the Saliva, the Succus GaJlricuSy and the Liquors we drink. The Aliment being broke by the Teeth, and mixed with the Saliva in the Mouth, defcends into the Stomach, where it imbibes the Juices of the Glands, and the Liquors drank, whofe chief Property is to foften the Aliments, as they are Fluids which eafily enter the Pores of moift Bodies, and, fwelling them, break their moft inthnate Cohefions; and this is augmented by the Impetus which the Pleat of the Stomach gives to the Particles of the Fluids ; and likewife by rarefying the Air contained in the Pores of our Food, which burfts its Parts afunder. The Aliments thus prepared, their Parts foon feparate from one another, and dU folve into a Fluid with the Liquor of the Stomach, by the continual Motion of its Sides, whofe abfolute Power is demon- ftrated (by Pitcairn) to be equal to the Preflure of 117088 Pound-weight : To which if we add the abfolute Force of the Diaphragm y and Mufcles of the Ab¬ domen y which likewife conduce to Di- geftion. ( i4 ) geftion, the Sum will amount to 250734 Pound-weight. From whence this Force ? Or for what Purpofe hath Nature (who yet hath ne¬ ver been detected in an Error) employed all this Mechanifm, if ufelefs ? There can be no Occafion to fpare it the Trouble of its Office, and the only Excufe Men find for fo doing, is becaufe ’tis already weakened by fome Caufe, and incapable of adting. But to fuch I would obferve, that ’tis not by thefe Means to be brought to its natural Tone. And the ftudious Man, whofe Life is generally inadtive, will find it more to his Advantage, and agreeable to the Conftitution of his Nerves, on whofe Senfation he de¬ pends for his Ideas, to live more upon Food containing the natural Juices, of which Kind efpecially are all roafted Meats. €~ ' l ' 1 f * ' * f ' fS » . > 1 I could not conveniently treat on this Subjedt without mentioning Digeftion, fince the Teeth are the firft and necelfary Organs of it. Wherever we obferve thefe Inftruments wanting in Animals, &c. we ihall always find them furniffied with two- ( *5 ) two Stomachs; and where they have Teeth befides, they are only ufed as Weapons of Defence, which we fee in the Viper, and fome Kinds of Fifh, who fwallow their Prey whole. From hence we may conclude, that the Teeth, befides their Importance for the Prefervation of our Health, are like- wife neceflary for the Agreement of the Voice, the Pronunciation and Articula¬ tion of our Words, and the Ornament of the Face. Tho’ the Production of the Teeth is Preccm- entirely the Work of Nature, the Prefer- tions f or vation of them depends greatly upon our- iSt 'he felves. Teeth. Men are naturally attentive to their Health, but by a Negledt of this Kind .they are too often rendered incapable of attaining it : For, as I have before fhewn, the Health depending on the Digeftion of the Aliments, which ought firft to be pounded as it were, and broke for the eafier Admiffion of the Juices of the Stomach : And this being the Office of the Teeth, it intimately concerns us to . '■ 16 ' to keep them in fuch Order as will enable them to perform it. The Means to preferve them, confifts then principally in the Choice of a good Regimen, and avoiding the Ufe of fuch Things as are hurtful to their external Parts. The firft you fee will not only preferve the Teeth, but at the fame Time the Health alfo, as it confifts in the Choice of fuch Aliment as will yield a good Nourifhment. But the Generality of People are fo prone to Intemperance, and eat with fo little Attention, or rather fo precipitately, that too much cannot be faid of its ill Effeds. Nothing is capable of producing greater Diforders, than an imperfed Maftication 5 for if the Ali¬ ment be not well broken by the Teeth, *tis certain the Diffolution in the Stomach will be long, laborious, and imperfed. And the fweet balfamic Blood, will be changed into a thick, acrid, and vif- cous State. And this Alteration cannot fail of producing a bad Effed in the Teeth, not only as it circulates thro’ them, but by the Vapours which arife from the Stomach and Breath, and lodge ( 1 7 ) lodge upon them as they pafs thro' the Mouth. The too great Ufe of Vegetables, as alfo the Flefh of Pork, falted Meats, Salt-fifh, Cheefe, &c. mufl be preju¬ dicial, as they all produce a bad Chyle* All Kinds of Sweet-meats and Sugars contribute very much to the Deftru&ion of the Teeth ; becaufe their gluey Juice is infinuated into the Gums, and flicks to the Teeth ; befides, Sugars are of an acid, penetrant, and corrolive Nature, and by a Chymical Analyfis we fee that the Effefts will be fooner or later per¬ nicious. ’Tis alfo remarkable that thofe « People who make great Ufe of this Poi- fon, are more fubjedl to the Tooth-ach, and lofe their Teeth fooner than others. Thofe who love Sugar, and ufe it frequently, are feldom remarkable for handfome Teeth, and very rarely good ones. This is particularly exemplified in Holland , the Inhabitants whereof, efpecially the Women, are great Tea- drinkers, and in their Manner fome- what particular, for inflead of fweetnirg each Difh with Loaf-Sugar as in Eng- D land, ( i.8 ) land , they hold a Piece of Sugar-Candy in x their Mouths, which frequently ferves fix or eight Difhes before ’tis di- folved, which inevitably produces thofc Effects to which they are fo fubjedt, viz. the Lofs and Ruin of their Teeth: For his rare to find a Dutch Woman of thirty Years of Age with a good Set of Teeth: For this Reafon, after eating Sugar, or any Thing that contains much Sugar in its Compofition, it will be ne~ ceffary to rince the Mouth with warm Water, to difiolve and wafh away thofe Parts which would ft'ick to the Gurii's and Teeth. ' viyy-.V' o* bflfi It would be abfurd from hence to conclude it abfolutely neceflary to de¬ prive ourfelves of thefe Things, but to regulate their Ufe; and not to make a Habit of that which Experience ihieWs to be prejudicial mod certainly is worth our Confideration. /* * , j ■ {* SCI i » j r J . • ' > ; (f . Of no lefs Importance is Mode¬ ration in Drinking, fince our Health is equally dependant on Sobriety ; the ma¬ ny Conftitutions we fee ruined by Ex- cefs of this Kind, is a ftronger Argument to ( *9 ) to deter us than any Thing that can be further faid on this Head. J fj _ , '■ t ’ j ) , * Tis as necefiary I ike wife to avoid chewing or breaking any hard Bodies, as Nuts, Cherry-ftones, &c. biting off the Ends of Thread or Silk, lifting up great Weights, picking them with In- ftruments of Gold, Silver, or any other Metal, by which they may be either loofened or loft, and other fuch idle and pernicious Practices. * f ^ . -» . ‘ f Exceflive fmoaking Tobacco is alfo very injurious (efpecially if Care be not taken to cover the End of the Pipe with Wax) ; which will by Degrees wear off their vitrious or glofly Subftance, and fubjedl them to the Danger of becoming rotten, and perfectly ufelefs: It befides gives them a black and filthy Appear¬ ance, andcaufes an unnatural Heat in the Mouth, which by the immediate Ad- miflion of cold Air, may arreft a Hu¬ mour in the Gums or neighbouring Glands, and be the Foundation of great Pain and Trouble. 1 would not have the Reader imagine me ignorant of the Qualities of Tobac¬ co 2 co : ( 20 ) co: I am fufficiently fenfible of its Ser¬ vice in preferving the Teeth, by evacu¬ ating 'the fuperfluous Humours: But like any other Specific, it may, if im¬ properly made ufe of, anfwer a very different Efifed. I would therefore by all Means advife wafhing the Mouth with warm Water, and not expofing it too foon after fmoaking to the Imprefli- ons of a cold Air, <3V. * ' • * 4 .4 • . r } • > * r * n * * N 1 f 1 ' 1 '' The Eflfeds which have been obferved to follow fmoaking, are the very fame whenweeatourViduaJs too hot, and im¬ mediately, or in a little Time after, eat fomething cold. Many People drink, in the fame Inftant, a Liquor almoft boiling hot, and fome other as cold as Ice, without recolleding that the Diver- fity of Heat and Cold is able to arreft and fix the Humours which nourifh the Teeth, which ftagnating, will ferment and break the Membrane that covers the Roots of the Teeth, and render them f - t r \ v »» y , • * carious. This Effed is produced by the Dila¬ tation of the Parts and the Rarefadlonof the Liquids that pafs thro’ the Veffels, occafioned by Heat. A$ Cold on the ( 21 ) contrary will contract and flhut up the Parts, abate the Motion of Circulation, and render the Juices contained in the Veflels, thick and incapable of paffing. The great Prefervation of our Teeth, in fhort chiefly depends on our Regimen of Living; the Conftitution, and the Teeth, have fo equal a Dependance on each other, that the Deftruftion of the latter proves the Ruin of the former, almoft as certain, as that a bad Blood can never fupply the Teeth with good Nourifhment. < * . / * The Caufes that produce the Difeafes General of the Teeth, are two in general: Th one internal, the other external. Th cders ef the internal Caufe is, owing to the Quantity or Quality of the Lymph, ydiich by its corrofive Parts is capable of deftroying the moft compadt Parts ©f the human Body, fuch as are the Teeth, by break¬ ing the external Subftance, or glofly Covering of the Bones of which they are compofed. The Lymph we find of this Character in the Scurvy, in the King’s Evil, and in this Pox* When I The Regi men of Li ving. ( 22 ) When the nutritious Juice is too abundant, or diftributed in too great Quantity into the Teeth, that it ftagnates between their Alveoli and their Roots, its Effedts are very dangerous, like as when the Blood is inflamed, it- may form phlegmonic Abfcefles in the Ca¬ vity of the Teeth, or in the neigh¬ bouring Parts : It may alfo occalion the mod exquifite Pains, incurable but by the Lofs of the Tooth. . A- • J 4. i V Too much Sleep, too much watching, a too fedentary Life, or a too laborious one, contribute not a little to the Prefer- • _ ■ vation or to the Ruin of the Teeth. , • i ^ ... .i *ii The good Quality of the Milk which the Child receives from its Nurfe is of great Importance to the Formation of the Teeth, in the Time of toothing ; as it ferves to prevent or diminifh the many Accidents that happen to Children, when the Teeth are difpofed to pierce the Membrane of the Gum, that covers their Extremities and oppofes their Iflue. All f \ ( 23 ) All violent Paflions are capable of al¬ tering Digeftion, of increafing or thick- ning the Mafs of Blood, of caufing Ob- ftrudtions, and of flopping the Secre¬ tions and Excretions which fliould ope¬ rate daily for the Prefervation of our Health. The Paffions, I fay, may, when they alter the Mafs of Blood to a certain , Degree, be ranged with the internal Caufes that produce the Difeafes of the Teeth. All Perfons in a pituitous or pletho- rick Habit of Body, in whom the Lymph is very abundant, are generally fubjedt to fuffer not only Pain in the Teeth, but even their Lofs.J^ The Generality of Women with Child are likewife fubjedt to this Complaint: The menftrual Difcharge being flopped, the Mafs of Blood muft reft charged with a Superfluity ; ’tis therefore from the Quantity that is depofited on the Teeth or on the Gums, that Women fuffer this Uneafinefs fooner when with Child than at other Times ; and we fee that they are often afflidted for the fame Reafon, (H ) Reafon, when their monthly Oeconomy is over. The Jaundice occalions fo much Dif- order in the Blood, that the Teeth fometimes perifh by anAbfcefs on thole Parts. The external Caufes are not lefs in Number, nor are they lefs dangerous in their Effects. The thick Vapours that arife from the Stomach and Lungs ad¬ here to the Mouth much in the fame Manner that Soot adheres to the Sides of the Chimney, forming a tenacious vif- cous Subftance that covers the Teeth like Pafte. This tenacious Matter is very hurtful to the Teeth. When certain little Portions of our Aliment adhere to the Teeth, or flick betwixt their Inter¬ faces or the Gums, it is capable of pro¬ ducing the fame Effedt, efpecially if we negledt rincing our Mouths after. The Injuries of the Weather are the Caufes of Rheums and Catarrhes, from which the Teeth, the Alveoli, and the ' ’ * * ** *• ■» Gums, are too often very great Suffer- • - f ■ t v* i ■ • . j > \ ; * e T s - , • The ( 2 5 ) The too great Ufe of dentrifick Pow¬ ders ferves chiefly to Deftruftion, as they ufe or wear off the Part of the moft Im¬ portance to their Prefervation, viz. their Enamel or vitrious Subftance. j But the Negledt in not keeping them clean, is the moft general Caufe of all the Diforders that happen to the Teeth. x i ' Mercury is a great Enemy to the Teeth, not only by itfelf but by the bad Effe&s that it may produce in the Body, by the corrolive Qualities that moft of the Preparations of Mercury are charged with, or by the Alliance that it contracts with different Principles in our Bodies, when it ftays too long, or when ’tis not properly evacuated. 'Tis very evident that Mercury, by its ill Effects, fwells the Gums and renders them fore ; this it does alfo to the Mem¬ branes that cover the Roots of the Teeth, either internally or externally; it de¬ feats, if I may be allowed the Expreffi- on, the very Roots, and throws them out of their Sockets, or otherwife, it E de~ i ( 26 ) ftroys them by the Caries that it occa«* * fions. Thefe melancholy Effects we fee but too often, efpecially where Mercu- - ry hath been employed by Perfons little -verfed in its Ufe. The moft experien¬ ced Practitioners in the Venereal Difeafe ufe it with the utmoft CircumfpeCtion, and with great Induftry guard againft its Poifon. The Gilders and thofe who cover Looking-Glades, Plumbers, and fuch as work in Mines, &c. expe¬ rience the bad and fatal Impreflions that Mercury makes upon them, and particularly upon their Teeth. ’Tis by the EffeCts produced from thefe Caufes, that the Teeth are attended with fuch Diverfity of Difeafes, almoft al¬ ways accompanied with Pain, more or lefs violent. Authors have reckoned the Number 'of Difeafes of the Teeth to amount to \ upwards of an hundred, but I find on¬ ly nineteen neceffary to comprehend all that may be ufeful to know, and thefe mav be divided into three Claffes: In * j the firft are thofe produced by external Caufes ; in the fecond are contained the Diforders of the Alveoli and Gums : ( 27 ) - 4 and in the third are the Difeafes acci¬ dental or fymptomatic. The firft Difeafe from external Caufes o/ the worth our Notice is, the Tartar Tartar or or Turf, concerning which Authors 7 ^* ipeak of many different Sorts, as the yellow, the grey, the black, and the petrified, and diftinguifh them alfo by their Degrees of Confidence $ but as this laft is owing only to the Duration, and the Difference of Colour not mate¬ rial, I fhall fpeak only of the moft com¬ mon Sort, which is of a dark yellow, tending rather to a brown Colour. The Tartar is a Matter accumulated ©n the Surface of the Teeth, near the Gums, which in Procefs of Time will form a ftrong Cruft, of a confiderable Bignefs, common to thofe who are ne¬ gligent in keeping their Teeth clean.This foreign Matter as it increafes in Quan¬ tity, inevitably confumes the Gums, and by that Means occafions a Rottennefs of the Teeth. For the better underftanding the Na¬ ture of this Tartar, with the Caufes E 2 that ( 28 ) that produce it, and the Manner of its infenfible Formation, the two following Principles may be of Service. Firft the Foundation of this Matter and its Increafe may bear fome Analo¬ gy to the Stones formed in the Kidneys, Bladder, &c. which owe their Origin very often to a Retention of fome Mat¬ ter, capable of Attraction and Cohejion: The fmall Portions of our Aliment that b --V, *• V, * * adhere to the upper Part of the Teeth, or betwixt their Interlaces, being foft- ened by the Saliva, become of a gluey Confidence, which foon grows dry, by the Affiftance of more Air, palling in lnfpiration and Expiration. Secondly, when the Saliva becomes vifcous, from a Deprivation of the; Lymph, and is loaded with faline Par¬ ticles, *tis very probable that it may be lodged upon the Body of the Teeth, and by Degrees form the Mafs we are fpeaking off. That this Matter may be fo caufed, I am the more ready to be¬ lieve from the Obfervation * of a ftrong * Le Journal de $$a ifeafe, than all the other Bones in the Body, both by their Structure and Situ¬ ation. \ This Difeafe is occafioned by a Hu¬ mour infinuated between the boney Fi¬ bres of the Teeth, which generally meets with Obftrudions in the moft fub- ftantial Part of the Tooth, and by the particular Impulfe, that every Particle communicates to the Cells of the Tooth, by Degrees, breaks off little Parcels, and in Time, makes that dark Cavity in the Tooth which we call hollow . The Teeth are more fubjed to Rot- tennefs than the other Bones, becaufe their Periofteum is more preffed ; which renders them fubjed to Obftrudions, &c. The Molares are more fubjed to this Difeafe than the Inci[fores or Cant- ni ; and the InciJJbres and Canini of the upper Jaw, more than thofe of the lower Jaw, becaufe by their Situation they are more expofed to Heat and Cold, in eating or drinking, in Infpiration and Expiration. V V It ( 35 ) *’9, It often happens, that after a Tooth is attack’d with a Caries, the oppofite Tooth, on the other Side of the fame Jaw, is aftedted alfo. Nor does it appear that this EfFedt depends only upon Haz¬ ard : For 'tis remarkable, that in the oppofite Tooth the Caries will not only much refemble the other, but fometimes be exadtly uniform to it. The Vulgar, as well as certain Au¬ thors, are of opinion, that all Pains of the Teeth are caufed by a Worm, that gnaws and eats the Membranes and Nerves of the Teeth. This Notion is founded upon pretended Experiments on thefe Infedts, which (as they report) by fmoaking Hembane, will fall from the Teeth, &c. And fome of the Doff or s of Montpellier have been very prolix in their Accounts of the Genera¬ tion of thefe Worms ; befides the Dif-r coveries with their Glafles: But who¬ ever will be at the Pains to make fomc Trials with the Microfcope, may prove the Abfurdity of this Notion. F % The The Time in which the Caries ra¬ vages moft of the Teeth, is between the Age of 25 and 50 Years. I have omitted the many Divifions that may be feen in fome Books upon this Subject; both on Account of their Perplexity and Non-ufe. For the Ca¬ ries, of what Kind or Caule foever, pro¬ duces its Effects, more or lefs confider- able, according to the Parts of the Tooth they attack. And the Operations pradtifed on thefe Occafions are more or lefs difficult, according to the Situation of the Tooth; or according as the Ca¬ ries is more or lefs penetrating in the Body, or the Roots of the Teeth. Whenever tfee Caries is fituated with¬ out the Gums, either on the Sides, or Extremity of the Tooth, the Cure will - j , J j J , confift in fenaratine: the rotten Part from the found, by Exfoliation, with the File, the Ruffine, Cauterv, &c. And bv fill- ing the Cavity with Wax (which muft be often renewed) it will defend the boney and nervous Parts from the Air, or the Impreffion of any other Bodies; likewife hinder any Bits of our Aliment from ( 37 ) from lodging in the Cavity, which are fo apt to putrify and caufe a ftinkingBreath. Altho* the Teeth, in their natural Situation, are harder and more compad than the other Bones in the Body, and more remarkably fo in the human Specie than Brutes, we find them by Experience extremely fubjed to break; efpecially when the leaft Defed happens in them. TheirFradures,are flmple, compound, or FifTure, The Simple happens often by Falls and Blows, particularly by the Attempts to draw them before they are loofe: The Compound is when their Roots are ftrongly attached to their Alveoli, and a Piece of the jaw comes away with Part of the Tooth : A FifTure is a Fradure lengthways, v/ithout any Teeming Alte¬ ration in the Form of the Tooth. When once the Parts of the other Bones are divided, they never can be again united ; for the VefTels diirributed in them are not fo difpofed as to furnifh a Juice fufficient, or that is capable of a Giutination ; becaufe their proper Sub- fhnee ( 38 ) ftance is too compadl to give them Paf- fagej or their Motion, the Air, and Bodies that they touch, are Obftaclesthat oppofe the Re-union of the divided Parts. But tho’ the Re-union of the Fradture be impradticable, the Scales, or Splinters, that remain, may be extradted, or their Angles and iharp Points fmoothed and polifhed. luxations. All the Luxations the Bones fuffer in their Articulations, are either complete, or incomplete. When a Tooth is loofened, it is a Luxation incomplete. If after having been naturally well fltuated, they lean either in, or out of the Mouth, of one Side, or the other, they are fo many Luxations. When a Tooth turns in the x^lveoli, fo that the lateral Parts of the Tooth incline, either outwards or inwards, ’tis a Luxation complete, ,. • • • -. - i When a Tooth feems to be longer, and exceed the others, that the Neck and Part of the Roots appear above the Edge of the Gums, occafioned by fome Matter ( 39 ) Matter contained, in the Alveoli, *tis a Semi-luxation. The large Teeth are moft frequently luxated inwards. The InciJJbres> on the contrary, generally luxate outwards; Altho’ both thefe Diflocations are bad, and incommode the Equality of Mafti- cation, yet the Luxation inwards is the worft, becaufe it fatigues and hurts the Tongue $ which Uneafinefs is more than the Inconvenience that is caufed by the Teeth againft the Lips, or Cheeks, when they fall outwards. The leaft inconve¬ nient Luxation is, when the Tooth is only turned in the Cavity of the Alveoli. When the Teeth are luxated, in fuch a manner as to exceed the others by their Extremities, which we call a Luxa¬ tion, or Diilocation of the Bottom to the Top of the lower Jaw, or of the Top to the Bottom of the upper Jaw, the Mafti- cation is very difficult. In all thefe Cafes, the Remedy is, to return them, each, in their proper Places, by which means they will often become quite faft 5 to guard againft the Caufes of Luxations, and fo fortifv the Gums. The ( 40 ) F Difiafes The Difeafes that happen to the Parts the Teeth contained within the Al- and Gums. veoli and Gums, are, . 1. Caries of the Neck and Roots of the Teeth. / * . 2. Inflammation of the Membranes, that line the internal Cavities of the Roots of the Teeth, their Periofteum, &c. occafion’d by Cold. 3. Abfcefles in the Cavities ©f the Teeth and Gums: The Confequence of an Inflammation. 4. Atrophy, or Drynefs of the Al¬ veoli and Membranes of the Gums; ; j _ * which is fuflicient to make the Teeth fall out, without any Caries, and even without Pain. The accidental, or fymptomatic Dif¬ eafes of the Teeth, are, • 1. Caries of the Alveoli, caufed by the Teeth. * I tf • . > t * 4 H * > » ' ‘ • 1 • * • * p ■. - • * . ^ . ■ » | 1 ; <,f v J 2. Exo- ( 4 1 ) 2. Exdftofis of the Alveoli* occafioned by the Teeth alfo. 3. Inflammation of the Peridfteum, lining; the Cavities of the Alveoli. 4. Frafture of the Alveoli, caufed by the Extraction of the Teeth, &c. $. Hemorrhage, fometimes violent, occafron’d by the Extraction of the Teeth alio. Sometimes this Hemorrhage proceeds from the Gums being tore in the Operation of drawing. vi J * * -* t' • 6. Abfcefles in the Gams, Cheeks, and Palate, caufed by the Teeth. 7. Fiftulas occafion’d by long Conti¬ nuance of thofe Abfcefles. 8. Mifcarriages have been the Confe- quence of violent Pains in the Teeth,: And, 9. Naufea, Vomiting, Diarrheas and Fevsr9, and to Infants, even Death kfelf, ' f ■ ' ' .. h'!*' ^ - I lO - ** G Oa ( 42 ) r * " v • *u On the Methods of Cleaning the Teeth ^ with Obfervations on Sca¬ ling'. ■ - £> T HE common Methods for pre- ierving the Colour of the Teeth, ferve rather to blacken and deftroy them : And I would caution the Public againft the Ufe of all Remedies fold with this Defign , The Opiates, and many Medicines of different Titles, to my certain Knowledge, are compofed of Brick, China, Rotten-ftone, or other Ingredients of this Nature, powdered or levigated very fine, and coloured ac¬ cording to the Fancy of the Inventors. It is v£ry natural to conceive that thefe Powders muft adt upon the Teeth much in the fame manner as a File, or the Dufis ufed in polifhing Metals; by which means the enamel’d Subftance will be wore away, and the long Part of the Tooth left bare, and defencelefs to all Infults. The white Salt, Scuttle-fifh Bone, Salt of Tartar, Salt of Lead, Burnt-al- ' lum. ( 43 ) lum, and other Ingredients of the fame Species, the World has been long abufed with. Juice of Sorrel, Juice of Lemons, Spirit of Allum, Spirit and Salt of Vi¬ triol, have been employed on this Occa- fion, and tho’ with the greateft Circum- fpedtion, have always in the End given them a yellow Colour, never to be re¬ paired. Nor is this the only bad Effe£t produced by thefe Liquors, for by a fre¬ quent Application, they corrode, and eat little Holes in the Enamel of the Teeth: Notwithftanding it is in the Ufe of thefe Remedies that confift all the Secrets of our Quacks! and if we examine the Teeth of any of their Confidents (that feem to have reaped the greateft Advan¬ tage from them) with a Microfcope, or even with the naked Eye, the Ravage they have made will eafily fhew us a fure Foundation for a Caries, The Methods of cleaning the Teeth are various. Moft People ufe fmall Brufhes, or Bits of Cloth or Linen, without any Sufpicion of their Im¬ propriety, but they are much too rough, and by frequent indifcreet Ufe, G 2 often I 4*4• ) often ruin the Gums and Teeth, For this reafon I would abolish their Ufe, and ad-r vife a Piece of Spunge ? dipped in warm Water, in which fhould be diffolved a Piece of Soap, to be ufed preferable to all other Methods whatever. Soap is^~ known to be of a penetrating, attenuating and detergent Nature, and therefore not only moil proper for cleaning the Teeth, but alfo very ferviceable in moft Difor- ders of the Gums; in fhort, it may be ufed with the utmoft Propriety; the on¬ ly Objection to be made, is the Offence it may give on account of its Tafte : but Cuftom will render it familiar, and fufft-r ciently recompenfe the Trouble of uffng it. IwouldrecommendtheMorningas the moft convenient Time for cleaning the Teeth ; but before uffng of the Spunge, it will be neceffary tofcrapeoff the gluey Subftance, which adheres to their Surface, with a Quill $ and after clean-r ing them with the Springe and Soap, the Mouth may be rinced with Hun¬ gary Water, Spirit of Lavender, &c. diluted with warm Water. The Scurvy of the Gums is dependent ( 45 ) cm the bad State of the Conffitution, the relieving of v/hich laft will infallibly cure the other. When the Teeth become loofe, from whatever Caufe, a Tea- fpoonful of the TinBure of Myrrh , mixed with a Tea-cup-full ofWater, to waftithe Mouth with twice or thrice a Day, will be the moft efficacious Remedy. ’Tis become a great Fafhion with the Englifh Ladies, (and with too many of iny own Sex) to have their Teeth fca- led ; and this Practice, fhocking as it is, feems to be purfued with an uncommon Attention. * The Defign of this Operation is to beautify the Colour of the Teeth, by re¬ moving the Tartar or Turf, which ad¬ heres to their Surface, and is done with Iron Inftruments, made for that Purpofe. But whoever will conlider attentively the Nature of theTeeth, and of this petrified Subftance, which I have already defcri- bed, will readily conceive the Impro¬ priety of this Practice. ’Tis very proba¬ ble that by endeavouring to detach this Matter, fome of the enamel’d Part may betaken away with it; and this not only depends on Hazard, but is the certain Con- ( 4 6 ) Confequence of frequentUfe ;indeedthefe Inftruments themfelves, by often rubbing upon the Vitrious Subftance, mu ft rifque its Ruin, both as they are of a Nature too hard to approach the Teeth, and as their Mettalic Particles will infinuate themfelves into the Pores of the Enamel, and never fail to produce great Michief. If it fhould be faid that this Matter may be removed by a dextrous Hand, one familiar in the Operation, without any fuch Dangers, a brief Repetition of the Nature of the Difeafe will, I hope, prove a fufficient Anfwer. The Tartar is generally accumulated on that Part of the Teeth which joins with the Gums, and covers more or lefs, according as it encreafes in Quan¬ tity, that Part we call the Neck of the Tooth, which it feparates from the Gum. This is the true State of the Difeafe. Now fuppofe the Operator ever: fo dextrous, he muft, in Confequence of taking away this Matter, expofe the Neck of the Tooth bare, and liable to all Inju¬ ries of the Air, the Aliment, or what^ ever comes near it 5 in which are contain¬ ed ( 47 ) ed many Caufes of a Caries. This Mat¬ ter when left to itfelf, feldom fails of dropping oft infenfibly, and if ’tis the Colour only which induces us to try the Remedy, ’twould be much better to be ¥ content with this Inconvenience, than fubjedt ourfelves to its ill Effedls. But by following the Methods I have advifed, there will be no neceffity for expofing ourfelves to this Operation. A certain Merchant in the City, tho’ otherwife fufficiently covetous, beftow- ed a confiderable Purfe upon one of our foreign Operators; who had in good Truth changed the Colour of his Teeth, from a Black to a very beautiful White : But behold the Confequence ! The Mer¬ chant found himfelf under a Neceffity of befpeaking a new Sett; for they all actually fell out, one after the other : I faw him within three Months after the Operation,when hehad only two remain¬ ing in his Head. This is an Inftance not without its Precedent. Thus it is that our curious Ladies and others, by endeavouring (by thefe unatural Means) to make their Teeth exceeding white, will at length bring on a Ca- a Caries, and render them black arid frightful as well as ufelefs. I am afto- nifhed to fee lb many pretending an Averfion to Foreigners, and yet fuffer them (as we fay of Sharpers, &c.) to draw the furtheft Teeth in their Heads. And I am ftill more forry to fee fuch numbers of the fined: Women become the Dupes of fuch foreign Mifcrearits. Difeafes of Children in the Time of Toothing . T HE Teeth hardly make their Ap¬ pearance in the Mouth before they require fome Succour from Surgery i The Caries is the firft Difeafethat works their Ruin, and is their greats ft Enemy during Life ; but even before their Ap¬ pearance, the Difeafes they caufe, we know by Experience, are confiderable enough to take away Life* The firft Appearance of Teeth hap¬ pens commonly about feven Months af¬ ter our Birth, and is attended with divers Accidents. The Symptoms pre¬ ceding their Appearance is an Itching of ( 49 ) of the Gums, follow’d by a Ptyalifmus y or Salivation of the Infant, eafily difco- ver’d by the great Quantity of Saliva running from the Mouth. After this follows the Swelling of the Gums, ac¬ companied with great Pain. If the Child has Strength to refill, he will be attack’d with the j 4 pth very feldom. The Incifores are more fharp, and pierce the Gums with lefs Pain than the Canini . The Molares , as they are large and flat upon their Extremities, are the Occafion of more Difficulty and Pain; but as they make their Appearance later than the others, the Child hath generally acquired greater Strength to refill their Efforts. The Difeafes I have mentioned, are indeed more or lefs confiderable, as the Child is more or lefs vigorous. Hippo¬ crates tells us, that thofe who cut their Teeth in the Winter, are lefs liable to the Danger of the Fever, than in a warmer Seafon : that when they have a Diar¬ rhea, they are lefs fubjedlto Convulfions; that ( 5 * 1 ) that the healthieft-looking Children, and who fleep found, are in Danger of being furprized with Convulfions, of which Death is not always the Confequence. From thefe Prognoftics we may judge of the Effedts refulting from a good or bad Conftitution of the Child, &c • But I would advife Mothers on thefe Occafions to apply to a Man of Skill in the Profeffion, and be extremely cautious of engaging in an Affair where¬ in the leaf! Error may prove fatal. FINIS. In the Prefs and fpeedily muill be publijbed\ RECEIPTS In PHYSIC and SURGERY: I Being the entire Practice of an eminent and learned Phylician lately deceafed. Containing, a compleat Body of Prescription! anfwering to every Disease. Now firffc publifh’d from the Author’s Original Manuscripts. j To which are aided by the Editor, Occafional Remark j. Directions , and Cautions , fuited to the different Stages of Diftempers, in or- ...^ der to render this Work particularly ufef^^ 3ft^ ( , library \ / » * - . r \ r | E*. '■