Democratic Sentinel, Volume 7, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 November 1883 — The Teeth. [ARTICLE]

The Teeth.

Our teeth serve their purpose mainly by grinding on each other; hence, they would soon wear away, except that their exposed parts are coated with the hardest of all animal substances. The food needs to be first cut, and then ground; hence, the cutting teeth (incisors) are in front, and grinding teeth (molars) are behind. Teeth are net necessary to the infant, and would be a painful discomfort to the mother; hence, the child is born toothless. As teeth never enlarge in size, a first set is provided for childhood, and a larger and fuller set subsequently appears adapted to permanent use. Further, these latter, while still beneath the first set, are, by intelligent forecast, adapted to the jaw only in its mature form and size. Hard as is the enamel, like glass it is affected by alternations of heat and cold. Hence, ice and ice-water may fill it Avith numerous tiny cracks, through which acids and fungi m*.y find their destructive way. Mainly consisting of lime, it is often dissolved, and the teeth are thus ruined, by medicines containing acid. Moreover, the natural secretions of the mouth are often rendered injurious to the teeth by disease itself. Precautions should be taken to neutralize the effect in both cases. As dental science has made such progress of late years that all decay taken in time may be arrested, people should have their own teeth and those of their children examined by a good dentist as often at least as once a year. Teething is a source of much danger and suffering, especially in the delicate children and in children of peculiar susceptibility. According to a paper read at a late meeting of the American Medical association, the mortality from teething and its accompanying diseases is greater than from all other diseases to which children are subject. The growing root pushes against and irritates the nerve below, while the tooth is working its way through the flesh and skin above. 1 - The danger is increased many fold from the influence (reflex) on the nerves of the brain, stomach and bowels. The common remedy is to lance the gums and restrict the child to a diet of milk. —Youtlis Companion. Catholic Teachings About Liquors. A Roman Catholic subscriber sends us the folloAving as “ the doctrine of the Catholic church about liquor. ” The decisions have been collected by Bishop O’Reilly, of Liverpool, and are said to be “based on the teaching of the best Catholic theologians.” That does not make them altogether authoritative, but they are none the less interesting. 1. Whosoever drinks deliberately to such an extent as to lose his reason commits a mortal sin. 2. Whosoever knoAvs by past experience that Avlien drunk he is accustomed to blaspheme, or utter other improper language, or to injure others about him, beside the sin of drunkenness, is guilty of those other crimes committed during the state of intoxication. 3. Whosoever does not adopt the proper means for the correction of this vicious habit of drunkenness remains in a continual state of sin. 4. WhosoeA r er entices and urges another to excess in drinking, Avho he foresees will be intoxicated, commits a mortal sin. 5. Any seller of liquor who continues to supply liquor to any individual that he knows will become intoxicated thereAvith commits a mortal sin, because he deliberately co-operates in the grievous sin of another. 6. Whosoever k guilty of excess in drinking, though not to intoxication, in such a Avay as to cause distress to his family by squandering that which is needed for their support, commits a mortal sin against charity and justice. In like manner Avhosoever thus renders himself unable to pay his lawful debts, although he may not drink to intoxication, commits a mortal sin.— New York Times.