Copy 1, Volume 1

The study of medicine. Improved from the author's manuscripts, and by reference to the latest advances in physiology, pathology, and practice / [John Mason Good].

  • Good, John Mason, 1764-1827
Date:
1834
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The study of medicine. Improved from the author's manuscripts, and by reference to the latest advances in physiology, pathology, and practice / [John Mason Good]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    87/784 (page 33)
    { texture and appearance. Instead of the soft vascular surface which it exhibited while the deposition of the enamel was going on, it is now dense, and almost tendinous, with very few blood-vessels. When the fang begins to grow, the capsule also becomes connected to it, and forms its periosteum. ] From what has been said, it appears that the alveolus, or socket, shoots up from the jaw-bone as the tooth advances. It accompanies its growth, and at first entirely surrounds it; by which admirable contrivance a firm support is given to the gums from the time of birth, and the infant is enabled to make a sufficient pressure for the purpose of sucking, without interfering with the form which the teeth, yet soft ahd amorphous, are destined gradually to assume. In due time, however, the alveolus yields in its upper surface, as the tooth, in consequence of the gradual elongation of its fang or fangs, is forced through, and cuts not only the socket but the gum; and when the first set, having answered its temporary purpose, loses its fangs by absorption, and the body of each tooth is shed or cast out by the gums, the attendant sockets are equally absorbed, and disappear at the same time. observed, about the seventh year, the artery of the milk teeth and its canal undergoing a more or less perfect obliteration* ; at which time we possess far more teeth, including both the grown and the growing, than at any other period whatever: for we have in each jaw ten temporary teeth complete, ten incomplete to succeed them, and the two permanent grinders, whose stamina were formed during foetal life, making not less than forty-four in the whole. Other writers than Mr. Hunter place this change at an earlier period: Dr. Blake, indeed, as early as the fourth year+; and M. Lemaire, who follows Blake in most other points, follows him in this also. ¢ The permanent teeth have separate sockets of their own; and, in consequence of the prolongation of the jaw-bones, do not lie immediately under the corresponding shedding teeth, nor directly contribute to the process of shedding, which chiefly takes place in consequence of the absorption of the fangs and sockets of the temporary set, though their ascent contributes in some degree to the general process. I have observed that the alveoli, or sockets, though fixed upon the jaw-bones, and indeed issuing from them, are rather to be regarded as appendages of the teeth than of the bones from which they spring ; that they participate in most of the diseases of the teeth, and are strictly coeval with them; sprouting forth on their origin, modelled by their shape, and disappearing on their decay or removal. It is this disappearance, which is the work of absorption, that principally produces that change in the character of the face which peculiarly distinguishes the period of old age. It follows closely upon the loss of all the teeth; and when these have uni- formly given way, and their respective sockets are no longer in existence, as not being wanted, the upper jaw becomes considerably diminished in its range, the under jaw reduced to a thin bone merely covered by the gums, and the roof of the mouth, instead of * Serres, p. 19. tT Dissertat. Inaugur. ¢ Traité sur les Dents, 8vo. Paris, 1822. VOL. mis D é Gen. I. Spec. I. Odontia Denti- tionis. Teething. Growth of the socket. Its absorp- tion, Second set of teeth. Seems to vary in time of occurrence, Changes in advanced life.