Tooth-Powder or Gunpowder.

Evening Post, Volume LXIX, Issue 118, 20 May 1905, Page 15

Tooth-Powder or Gunpowder.

Why, aaks Mrs. John Lane, in tho Fortnightly, undor the above tit 10, mo the English, admittedly tlio apostles of tho tub, so iudifferont, as a rule, to the condition of tho teeth? Why do so many people think i>o much moio of tho qlcanlineis of tho outside of tho mouth than of tho inside? Prehistoric, remains, couteiuls Mrs. Lane, prove that ovnr-ctvilisu-tiwn ia responsible for tho deterioration of our teeth, and she traces much "of tho into'.ligenoo of America to tho ccnsoless energy of tho dentist, and tho devotion of tho people to his chair. Airs. Lane says : — "The eccentricity of tho Early Victorian teeth whs for dcoitdes tho pel Mibject of tho Continental carjeaturwt, tho jH;culiarity being generally uhcribed to tho British female, her malo companion merely rejoicing in hideous plaids, abnormal side-whiskers, and a fearful helmet hat decorated with a flowing puggaree. Times have changed. Tho British toeth have ceased to obtrude, and, indeed, they now veer nrouud to the other extreme, and instead of prominent front teeth tho Englishman now often rejoices in no front tooth at all, or between none and tho ordinary number nature intends* thero aro countless variations. I have been waiting for a, genial caricaturist to seize, on this simple and unostentatious national trait. If bad teeth are a common nign of illhealth, then alaa for tho English masses who form tho strength of tho nation, lor their neglected teeth aro a- menaco and a warning. I believe there is no emotion in tho world, except tho foar qf death, that will not succumb to an aching tooth. 1 A villain with tho toothache is undoubtedly move villainous than without it, while a lovor with the toothache doe» not exist, for a lover with tho toothache ceases to ho a lover. The toothache ih sjo cxnuhito a pain that it demands tho undivided attention of the brain, with a persistency so nagging that no other pain enjoys. I believe it will even wreck a main's caroer. 1 defy a man to writo a great poem or win a baltlo with an ulcerated tooth tearing at his nerves I Should wo investigate, I feel siH-o that the greatest men in the •world who mado lmtory, art, nnd science never had toothache, which flist of all kills the imagination. Mathematicians might survive, for Mich imagination us thoy have is riveted in facts. In addition to the other disabilities, toothache, is undignified j there 18 nothing interesting or romantic about it I "There is hardly a bodily acho which literature has not idealised, but an aching tooth has yet to fliul its poet, even if a minor one. In fnct, thero is about it a touch of tho ludicrous which its concentrated anguish does not justify. It ia curious that so intense a suffering uhould be so undrainulic, but it i» tho one agony which does not desert us this side, of the grave, and which oven the genius of a Shnkospeavo would hositatu to bestow on his hero or heroine Anguish comes to them in muny wayn, but the gieat poet dUctcotly avoids teeth. The only historical reference to teeth I have ever noticed w when the sacred Inquisition, always original and playful, tears them ono by ono out of the mouths of heieiics and Jews us being gently conducive to confession ; but even this undoubted torture is singularly undramalic, and has, I believe, ne\er heon used by ,v tragic poet. It is one of tho aggravations of toothache that it inspires but lukewarm sympathy ; even your pnroutit know you will not die of it. The greatest concession to your suffering i» that you may stay ii\v»y from school, nnd, if you are very bud mother lies a big handkerchief about your face, which is something, but not much. Hut even parents are 'strangely inconsiderate, and I realised even in my infant days that had th«*o same sufferings been situated more favourably in my body 1 should ho-va been promoted to bed nnd the family doctor. A very famous American dentii/t met the English husband of an American friend of mine with the genial (ymgrittulfitiun, 'My dear sir, I wish you joy I You havo niarriod a tlrst-rato set of teeth.! Possibly the tribute wn« too professional, but it really monnt so much.' And, indeed, ono of tho most promising signs of tho future ,of tho American people i* tho importance they attach to good teeth. Tlio Amoricin dcntiM. is tho gveatost in the world. His deft skill constructs Ihosa delicate and complicated iiiMlnimenls that help liim to icpuir tho ravages of time and ill-bealth, and not only docs he produce an exact copy of nature, but his is the only instance known to science whore human ingenuity excels nature's— -hia» toeth do not nchot And not only is it required of tho modern dentist that ho should bo a consummato mochnnic, but ho must bo a doctor nnd surgeon as well, to bo able to ouro the causo behind the damage. Therefore when I boo so many neople here who have bad toeth — which, to say the least, i«p a blemish — It is a prophecy that the next generation will have oven worse, which menus a deterioration in health, therefore in intelligence and ambition, so that in due courso England will lo«e her proud position as the greatest nation in tho world, simply because England would not go to the dentist. "If I were ono of the powers that bo, I ehould require all Board Schools to furnish their pupilo with tooth-btiiHhes and tooth-powder, and I would open the morning session with a general brushing of toeth. Not only that, but I would have a dentist attached to each school district whoso duty it would bo to attend to tho children's teeth free of charge. If England want* good war material (and I am tokl there hnjs* been aqme adverse criticism of tho quality of her lioldiors) she must cultivate it. and it is her duty t» stop in whoro tho parent fails. A day labourer with a large family does lim best if ho and they ktop body and soul together; it is for the State to stop in and rescue tho young teeth front premature decay, thus undoubted.'}' increasing tho health of the growing body, and at tho namo time teaching the young things those cleanly habits which make for self-respect and health."

Irato Spouse — "Honry, how enmo you so lato getting* in!" Henry — "Boon down (hie) shoot'n' gallery, in' denr." Irato Spouse — "1 b«)iovo you. You look half-shot now. Wf»ll, did you bit tho bull's-eyo?" Henry — "No, m' dear. Jush ash I went Bhootsh he winked 'is oye an' I mished." New Missionary— "Can you tell mo what has become of my predecessor?" Cannibal Chief— "Ho's mado n trip into the interior."