DETERIORATION OF HUMAN TEETH.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3882, 28 December 1883, Page 4

DETERIORATION OF HUMAN TEETH.

The Lancet endorses an opinion recently delivered by Mr Spcnce Bate, F.R.S., and long since maintained by the few thoughtful dentists, that human teeth among the cultivated classes are in process of degeneracy. The "dentine" is becoming deteriorated, interglobular spaces not found in the savnge making their appearance, while the enamel is becoming opaque. Moreover, which is more serious, the dovclopement of the cranium which follows cultivation is attended with a shrinking-in and weakening of the jaws, till there is not room for tho teeth.' Tho fads being granted the .Spectator), tho question arises whether tbe.se symptoms will end in a decay of the race, or in an extinction of each cultivated ela«s as it; springs up, the learned perishing, while tho barbarians below them flourish.' Tho latter is the more probable, for nature seems opposed to the steady transmission of high brain power. Genius docs not breed, and families over-cultivated for their physique have long been known to tend either to sterility, to insanity, or to decrepitude. It may be found yet that tho hopes of Comte are exactly opposed to the conclusions of science, and that iirace, alter developing its force—as, for instance, the Chinese did—can only bo saved by becoming strictly non-progressive. Humanity may continue only on condition of its healthy barbarians always rising to the top. The professor may rule the costcrmonger, but the costermonger's progeny will always survive the professor's.