The Detroit times., 1915-08-20
Teeth Affect Morality.
~ n. ApplNoToN BRUCE.
Author Of "The Riddle OF Personality"
Psychology and Parenthood." etc.

The hygienic importance OF keeping the teeth
well cleaned is appreciated today by most peo-
pie. thanks largely to the toothbrush cam
paigns" carried by the school authorities. Not
so generally appreciated In the fact that tooth
decay sometimes has disastrous effect. not
only on the body. but also on the mind and the
morals
As striking an instance rs has ever come %
my knowledge of the influence OF diseased teeth
on morality. Is the story OF Cleveland young
man. for infors atitd regarding whose singular
case am indebted 10 the late DR.. Henry 8. Up
| son.
| Brought up IN a good home. this young man.
| as q boy, showed no traits out OF the ordinary.
| Until about fifteen he behaved much like any
Leverage. vigorous lad.
At fifteen his mother was startled and dismay-
ed by sudden change in his character. He be-
| came mischievous, unruly. and given to roaming
| the streets.
Soon neighbors began to complain OF him. He
! was accused OF taking one persons bicycle. to
pieces Of stealing anothers milk bottles. OF over
turning pedder's carts.
| Next he started in earnest In a criminal ca
reer breaking into Y. NJ c. A. lockers. pilfering
from barns. and finally robbng store. Arrested.
but released for lack OF evidence, he promptly
| committed another burglary.
| This earned him two-year term in the Ohio
| State Reformatory. He was no sooner freed
than he turned burglar again, and this time was
sent to the local prison.
| There he remained until he was twenty one
when his mother. In n last desperate effort to
save her boy appealed to Dr. Epson TO make q
medical examination OF MIN.
II was her idea from recent reading OF medi-
cal literature. that possibly some abnormal
physical condition might be responsible for his
| delinquency.
Visiting the prison. DR. Epson at once i'm
pressed by the deplorable state OF the young
mans teeth. Several were impacted-that Ia,
crowded against those nearest them--and an x
ray examination revealed Assesses at the roots
OF several others.
Given dental treatment great Improvement
In his behavior became apparent. He lost his
sulIenness and restlessness, and his return to
his mothers home sought work and kept at It
steadily.
year later the mother was able TO write to
Dr. Epson q letter Of grateful assurance that her
sons reform promised to be lasting.
How account for this strange effect OF dental
disease on character?
Simply by the fact that the young mans
BRAIN had been poisoned by toxic products OF
tooth decay Absorbed into the blood. these pro-
ducts had been carried by the blood to the brain
Also HIS WHOLE NERVOUS SYSTEM had
been unduly taxed by the prolonged pressure OF
them.
The poisoning Of tbs brain had weakened his
powers OF reason and judgment. The nervous
| strain had caused a restlessness, which In his
| case took the form Of an abnormal revolt against
| mental and moral discipline.
He was not really criminal He was merely
| the victim of reflex neurosis' hence amena
| the neurosis had been ascertained and removed.
Nevertheless, until II had been found and re-
moved. he was a real menace to society
As with him, 80 with not few other evil.
doors, whose criminal or vicious habits have do.
monstrably been consequences Of tooth decay
Use the toothbrush vigorously therefore in tb~
Interest OF morality ~ well a. Of physical health