Editorial. Taft's Operative Dentistry. [Volume: 2, Issue: 4, November, 1860, pp. 224-225]

224

THE DENTAL COSMOS.

EDITORIAL.
TAFT'S OPERATIVE DENTISTRY.
Caries of the teeth.-This article has some good points in it and is
better written than some others which we have referred to; but there are
some portions of a theoretical character which we would review and take
exceptions to, but it would lengthen our articles too much, as indeed they
are much longer now than we intended them to be at the outset. We
might refer to one remark which needs correction, if the author means
what he says. It is as follows: " Caries makes its first attack upon the
dentine, and progresses most rapidly in the direction of the tubuli." We
have always thought that it commenced first upon the enamel. Under
the head of causes of caries, a great deal that is good is referred to, but,
as the author remarks, "it is not here proposed to enter upon an investigation of the manner in which these various agents operate, for that
would open up a vast field for exploration;" so with us, if we were to
follow the author, would enter a vast field that would be a waste of time
and paper. But for the vast amount of repetition in the article, it might
have been much shortened.
The articles Comnparative liability to decay, and Consequence of
caries, are very good.
Treatment of caries.-Under this head "constitutional" treatment is
referred to, but no inkling, under any circumstances, is given as to what it
should be in any special form of caries, so that a key to the general
treatment might be approximated, except to adopt that course of treatment as will bring about "a healthy state of the mouth in all its parts."
Now, the author must consider this "news" to the student in dentistry.
Reference is made to topical treatment, which is very good.
General remarks on filling. - Under this head some remarks are
made which we cannot comprehend; for instance, "if it is true that decay
of the teeth ever originated in constitutional causes, then the treatment
should be constitutional, and not local." The repetition in those last few
articles referred to are so great, that it is difficult to understand what the
author desires to explain.
Under the head of Materials for filling, there is a great deal said
that is good, and objections to each substance made in turn; but we
are told three times in this article that gold is very objectionable, yet
the author gives it a greater number of desirable properties for filling
than any other substance. There is one remark of the author's which we
wish here to correct, with regard to gold-foil as it was formerly used,