The Detroit times., 1915-08-20
Teeth Affect Morality.
~ n. ApDiN0TON 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 on by the school authorities. Not
go generally appreciated is 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 as has ever come %
my knowledge OF the influence OF diseased teeth
on morality, Is the story OF Cleveland young
man, for infoT. atlon regarding whose singular
case am indebted to the late Dr. Henry s. Up
son.
Brought I'D In a good home this young man.
IA a boy showed no traits out OF the ordinary.
Until about fifteen he behaved much like any
average. vigorous lad.
At fifteen his mother was startled and dismay-
ed by sudden change In HIS character. He be-
came mischievous. unruIy. and given TO roaming
the streets
was accused Of taking one persons bicycle to
pieces, OF stealing another's milk bottles, OF over
turning peddlers carts.
Next he started in earnest in a criminal CO.
reer, breaking into " M. C. A. lockers pilfering
from barns, and finally robbing a store Arrested,
but released for lack OF evidence, he promptly
committed another burglary.
This earned him a>twoyear 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 last desperate effort to
medical examination OF him.
II was her idea, from a recent reading OF medi-
col literature, that possibly some abnormal
physical condition might be responsible for his
delinquency.
Visiting the prison. DR.. Epson was at once i'm.
pressed by the deplorable state OF the young
mans teeth. Several were impacted-that is,
crowded against those nearest them-and an x.
ray examination revealed Assesses at the roots
OF several others.
Given dental treatment a great Improvement
In his behavior became apparent He lost his
sullenness and restlessness. and on his return to
his mothers home sought work and kept At II
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 destsl
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
the impacted teeth against the teeth adjacent to
them.
The poisoning of the brain had weakened his
powers OF reason and Judgment The nervous
strain had caused q 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 q real menace TO society
A with him. 20 with not few other evil,
doors, whose criminal or vicious habits have do.
monstraby been consequences Of tooth decay.
Use the toothbrush vigorously therefore I'm th~
Interest Of morality - well - Of physical health