Page images
PDF
EPUB
[blocks in formation]

The following letter is from Mr. John Burdell, Dentist, New-York, Author of a "Treatise on the Structure, Physiology and Anatomy of the Teeth," etc.

DEAR SIR:

You are aware, that my views on the use of distillery slop-milk are already before the public; but if I can state any additional particulars which may tend to throw light on this important subject, I will rejoice in the opportunity of placing them at your disposal.

Any knowledge I may possess in relation to the inquiry, has been incidentally derived from a careful observation of the effects of different kinds of diet on the animal system generally; but more especially the influence of diet on the nervous tissues in connection with the formation of the teeth, -to which study my attention has been directed, by my professional pursuits. In order to convey a clear idea of what I mean by the formation of the teeth, I send you a drawing prepared by myself to illustrate the subject.

[graphic][subsumed][merged small]

(This plate exhibits the jaws of a child at the age of four years.)

[blocks in formation]

The drawing shows the number and the arrangement of the infant or first teeth, and their nervous connection with the brain and spinal marrow or nervous system. There are twenty teeth in the first set, but in the plate, half only are visible as we have a side view, five above and five below, and a part of the two front teeth on the other side.

The pulps or rudiments of the second or permanent teeth, can be seen directly under the roots of the first set. These rudiments have nerves, blood-vessels and absorbents, which are readily traced by dissection. When these pulps commence ossifying or hardening, they crowd against the absorbents of the first teeth, and stimulate those vessels to such a degree that the roots of the infant teeth are taken up by the absorbing vessels, and disappear as fast as the permanent or adult teeth advance. This makes the shedding teeth, as they are commonly called, when they fall out, to have the appearance of being broken at the root.

The white thread-like filaments attached to the roots of the teeth, are intended to represent the nerves which supply them with the vital or life-giving principle. There is one to each root.

The teeth being thus a part of the system, they necessarily partake of the nourishment received into it; and being formed at the time when the child's diet is principally milk, the importance of having it pure and nourishing, will at once be admitted. If it is either deficient in nutriment or possesses deleterious properties, the teeth in common with the other organs of the body must suffer. Hence the teeth may be regarded as the indexes of the constitution. We find, indeed, that children who have been fed upon this or other insufficient or improper food, if they survive the period of infancy, have enfeebled constitutions, their teeth prematurely decay, and are so soft they may

262

TEETH AND BONES INJURED.

be cut with a dentist's instrument; whereas the teeth of children who have been properly nourished, and whose constitutions are sound and firm, possess almost a diamond-like hardness. In view of these facts, can any one conclude that impure and innutritious slop-milk is a proper diet for children?

It is evidently owing to the want of information on the subject, that this great evil has been so long endured. This milk is produced from the most unhealthy and disgusting materials; and no parent, I should judge, with a knowledge of its nature, would risk the health and life of his children on such aliment. The diseased condition of the animals, and the unnatural and filthy manner in which they are kept, are alone sufficient to convince the reflecting mind, that their secretions must be unhealthy.

It is an important consideration, that so far as the teeth are concerned, the injury done them, by feeding children on bad milk, is one which can never be repaired. The teeth having received their organization during infancy, unlike any other part of the osseous system, later years have no effect in producing a favorable change. It is well known, that a broken bone, if properly replaced, will again unite; but the parts of a fractured tooth will never adhere. bones of children enlarge and grow firmer and harder until the period of adult life, which shows that a constant change is going forward in the system. But the teeth, retaining their original texture and form, are in these respects unaffected by the lapse of years.

The

There are rational grounds for the opinion, that the teeth of the former generation in cities, in regard to firmness, hardness and durability, were better than those of the present and of the rising generation. The increase of dentists would appear to sustain this conclusion. Now it

HEALTH OF ADULTS INJURED.

263

is known that the production and consequent consumption of slop-milk, has from small beginnings increased until it has become a great and grievous evil. I do not say that the present condition of these necessary organs, the teeth, are to be attributed solely to the effects of this kind of aliment. But it doubtless has had great influence, and having discovered one cause which is competent to this result, let us not rest until it is banished from the community. Considerations of philanthropy, but especially the welfare of those most dear to us, who are the greatest sufferers, and whose tender years exclude the possibility of their rescuing themselves, should enlist all our sympathies, and employ all our energies in their behalf.

In conclusion, I remark, that the mischief is not confined to infants, but injures the health of all who partake of it. This is proved by its effects on the milkmen themselves, for whilst the majority of them are too wise to eat it, there are others who use it freely. The latter, often suffer from biles, eruptions and running sores, which may be considered as the outlets to the impurities of the blood occasioned by the pernicious qualities of the milk. This is probably an effort of nature to expel the morbid humors from the system; and fortunate it is for these slop-milk drinkers that it is generally successful; as without these discharges, distressing and even dangerous and fatal maladies might be expected. I am acquainted with one of these men, who has a tumor of the size of a tea-cup, which discharges from a spoonful to half a gill at regular intervals. I would recommend to such persons who persist in the use of this impure milk, to have an issue kept open on some convenient part of the body as a vent for the impurities generated in the system, and as a preventive to the fatal results which otherwise may With great respect, your friend,

ensue.

JOHN BURDELL.

264

PROCESS OF NUTRITION.

The preceding letter suggests a few incidental considerations, with which we close the chapter.

In nothing, perhaps, is the design of Providence more remarkable, than in the adaptation of milk to the wants of the infant system. It contains, as has before been shown, albumen, oil, and sugar, which are the primary staminal principles of all alimentary substances. These substances are found to be identical with the elements of which the texture of the body is composed. Milk, of course, is capable of assuming a great variety of modifications, in order to form fibrin or flesh, and build up the various tissues of the system. When it is received into its proper receptacle, it is first changed into chyme, and then into chyle; and is next taken up by the absorbent vessels and thrown into the blood, which conducts the nourishment it has received through an infinitude of minute tubes and channels to all parts of the body, each of which takes from the blood that kind and quantity of nourishment it needs for its own support, and also for the support of that part of the body which is committed to its care. Dr. Edwards familiarly illustrates the process of nutrition as follows. "The organs placed at the ends of the fingers, take out what is needed to make finger nails; while they will cautiously abstain from, or repel that which will only go to make hair, and let it go to the head. And the organs on the head, carefully take out that which they need for their support, and also that which will make hair, or, in common language, cause the hair to grow; while they will cautiously abstain from that which is good for nothing, except to make eye-balls, and let it go to the eyes, and will even help it on. And the organs about the eye, will take that and work it up into eyes, or cause them to grow. And so throughout the whole. And there is among all the millions and millions of these workers, the most delicate

« PreviousContinue »