The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-06

tive committe OF this association is one
that might be easily disposed OF in per-
functory way, and it may be that such a
disposition would be the best one | could
make OF it. ] am sure ] could answer the
apparent questions propounded lv the
captain in one single word, and mono
syllable at that The influence OF preg-
nancy on dental tensions is bad, on dental
operations nil. This does not, however,
meet the expectations OF this intelligent
body OF men, therefore you will bear with
me while attempt to dissect my subject
and give it to you as | see best.
Dental LESSONS, etymologlcally speaking,
would have reference to any hurt, injury,
alteration in structure or function OF the
teeth. Alteration OF function not being
pertinent to dental LESSONS as at present
considered, we will pass it over, and con-
fine our remarks to injurious effects locally
expressed, and in doing so will make use
OF as few technical expressions us possible.
When we ask men of ability and expert
ence their opinion on the topic under
consideration we are generally informed
that pregnancy is physiological condi-
ton and ought not TO affect injuriously
the condition OF the teeth or any other
part of the body structure will answer
this assertion by remarking that teething
in children is physiological too, but thou
sands die from its effects Parturition is
physiological, but occasionally results IA
tally. Therefore we must deal with facts
as we find them TO exist tangibly and not
theorize. That the teeth are affected by
pregnancy is fact that cannot be contro.
verted. ID Teeth that are decaying de-
H. .
sound are more liable TO decay, the
quality and character Of teeth having
much TO do with the progress of disinte-
grafton, as well as the pathological condi-
ton OF the system caused by pregnancy.
Taking il for granted that all OF YOU are
familiar with the composition of teeth,
will proceed TO the investigation of carries
from the point OF causahon. From the
days Of Boudett and Jourdon, who wrote
about the middle Of the last century, down
TO the present day, science has been
actively engaged in trying to arrive
at the exact causes which act as de-
structive elements in that condition OF
tooth structure known as carries.
John Hunter believed il TO be the result
OF Inflammation and modification. Later
on Fox, in 1906, and others about the
same time, regarded II as resulting from
inflammation OF the lining membrane OF
the pulp chamber, as in inflammation Of
the periosteum of the bones, causing death
Of certain portions Of the dentine, which
decomposing formed the carious cavity.
Mr.. Bell in 1929 regarded Il in the same
light. Drs. Fitch and Rocker held 20
substantially the same views. Not until
1880 or 1885, was this theoretical wind
bag puncturcd Notably among its op.
pOnents was Harris OF America, Robert
son OF England. and many others. Argu-
mcnts were presented, showing that
artificial teeth, made OF the teeth OF neat
cattle, bone and ivory were rs liable to
decay, ii not more so, Ms natural ones; and
il being impossible for those TO inilame,
there must be some other cause
than inflammation acting upon them.
The chemical theory has been almost uni
versally accepted in some form or other
since the explosion Of the iallacy Of inham-
nation. NJ. Dissirahodc labored 20 show
that the acid theory would not bear in.
spection, because, il carries was the result
Of the action OF acid, then the teeth would
be universally attacked and disintegrated;
but in this he seems 10 lose sight OF the
thought OF localizstion OF acid by the pro-
cess OF fermentation OF vegetable or other
substances which were held In the mouth
in favorable localities for the Judgment OF
such debris. II Is not necessary for me 10
enter into an analytical investigation 10
prove 10 You that carries is from without
inward or that the continuity Of the con.
stituent parts oftooth structure are broken
down chemically. This has long been the
generally accepted opinion Of the best
writers on the subject. Tones, in his lat.
ter works, and Magitot, Of the Old World,
hold substantially 20 this theory; and in
our own more progressive America, Taft
Trueman, Coleman and a host Of Others,
hold 10 substantially the same views.
Micro organisms, rs an agency.in carries, IL
supposed by many OF our best micro
scOpisis 10 exert an active influence.
The parasitic plant called leptOthrix
buccalis, generates and feeds ON acid
fermentation, and IL frequently found In
carious teeth. but not always. Other
micro organisms arc said 10 be- present In
various forms OF decaycd teeth, but passing
this by n something not strictly german
20 our subject, we will say that carries be.
ing from without inward, caused by the
action Of some chemical element capable
OF breaking down tooth structure, aud that
element IN acid; and II pregnancy produces
any injurious effect on teeth, II must he,
in part at least, from the presence Of acid
In the oral cavity, aided no doubt by the
suspension Of nutrtive elements being al.
ycried from the ossious structure OF the
mother 10 supply the demands Of the fctus
for bono producing material. This has
long been my opinion, and am glad that
| am backed by the testimony Of Others,
who's. observation, coupled with research
and close study, have led them 90 the
same conclusion. Dr. Thncksinn, Of Nir.
ginia, says, In speaking OF this very sub
ject "Thc oral and gastric sccrctions un.
dcrgo n chemical change Of character and
quality from being neutral or moderately
alkaline, ~ n rule they become intensely
acid, the nutrition aud fabnlum essen.
tial 10 the support and protection
Of deniinc aud enamel, appears de.
Gcicnt In quantity AMI quality, aud
Is most likely diverted from its normal Of
flee by the exigencics and demands Of
fetal development, .ind a. n consequence
and result the teeth suffer disintcgTation
aud decay" A case recently reported In
the Maryland Medical JyVnrl by VI. Ia.
dicu, Of Amicns, and copied In the DrHidl
Register for June, describes the case Of n
woman who fractured the tibia and iibula
Of one leg which would not rcunitc. AZ.
ter three or four months strenuous effort
on the part OF the surgeon 10 make the
bones unite and failing 10 DO NJ lac began
10 suspect pregnancy, when his patient al.
mlltcd that her period had not REQUIRED
since about ten days before the accident.
VI. Padicu's suspicious were confirmed on
the 18th Of the following September by her
giving birth 20 well nourished liyingchid.
The Lex began Immediately after pariu.
riiion 20 heal, and strong union was had
without any further trouble. The Arcliui