DUNEDIN CATHOLIC LITERARY SOCIETY. Dublin Notes.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XX, Issue 50, 30 September 1892, Page 19

DUNEDIN CATHOLIC LITERARY SOCIETY. Dublin Notes.

Tub usual weekly meeting of tbe above Society was held in tbe Christian Brothers' school on Wednesday, September 21. The chair was occupied by the president (Father Lynch). MrT. J. Collins read an essay on "Teeth," explaining their construction and giving advice for the prevention of decay. Human teeth, he said, are structures of long bony characters, and are divided into classes according to their functions and external configuration, but they bave all certain characters in common. Every tooth consists of a crown, the portion of which appears above the gum, a root or roots imbedded in the jaw, and a neck, the portion which unites the crown and the root. The permanent set, 32 in number, is made up of four incisors formed for cutting, two canines for cutting and tearing, and four biscuspids and six molars for grinding tbe food. Caries, or decay of teeth, is by far the most important of dental diseases. It is a malady universally spread, few individuals passing through life without an attack in one or more teeth. Caries is a process of disintegration, commencing invariably at the surface of the tootb, and proceeding inwardly, and doe entirely to external agents. The onset of decay is favoured and its progress hastened by structural defects of common occurrence in the enamel and dentine, and the crowding and irregularity of the teeth, and by i he derangements of the general health. It has long been established, Mr Collins said, beyond all doubt, that myriads of micro-organisa-tions are constantly present in the human mouth, and that these, under favourable circumstances, are capable of manifesting an action of tbe utmost significance upon the local and general health. Not alone are they responsible for the vast majority of those diseases and contiguous parts which the dental Burgeon is called upon to treat, bat they also give rise to other local and general disorders of the most serious natuie. These various disturbances are produced partly by the direct action of micro-organisations and their products npon the teeth and mucous membrane of the moatb, partly by swallowing large masses of bacteria, partly by carrying them into the lungs and obtaining an entrance into tbe blood. The existence of a most excel lent nursery for bacteria at the very portal of the human body is a fact which has only recently begun to receive tbe attention which its importance demands. The active agents in the decay of teeth, he asserted, are acids and micro-organisations. The acids are mainly the products of putrifaction and fermentation set up in fragments of food, mucous* etc, which are constantly present in tbe mouth. Crowding and irregularity of the teeth, due to smallness and malformation of the bones, form a predisposing form of decay. Whilst it is exceptional

to find an individual of a civilised race with dental tissues in every tooth perfect in structure, it is equally uncommon to find on* with jaws perfectly formed and of full sice. The depressing effects due to overexertion of mental and nervous energies and the far too great indulgence in luxuries of the table, especially stimulants, are predisposing cause* of decay. Mr Collins said dentists are constantly asked by habitual smokers whether the action of tobacco is injurious to the teeth or not. Most authorities, he said, are agreed that the daily nse of tobacco indirectly injures the teeth. It must not be forgotten that the principles it contains act on the organs which are in communication with them. The use of tobacco oertainly increases the acidity of the stomach, and as it causes xesurgitation from this organ the teeth are often brought into contact with these acids, whose disastrous effects are well known. In consideration of the antiseptic power of tobacco many people are inclined to infer thac tobacco smokers shonld never suffer from decay of the teeth. It is evident, however, Mr Collins went on to say, that there are many points in the dental arch, particularly when the teeth are not kept scrupulously dean, to which the smoke nsver penetrate*. The first consideration with regard to any disease should certainly be, if possible, iti anticipation and prevention. Mr Collins would recommend, with reference to caries or decay of the teeth, the following :— With regard to food, we can now generally obtain bread made from the whole-meal flour, which, if not quite bo palatable at first, becomes to children brought up on it preferable to any other. With regard to meat, some attribute to early loss of the teeta to eating too large a proportion of it; but then, if so, surely the Esquimaux ought to suffei considerably, whereas they have probably the finest teeth of any nation under the sun. The knife and fork have much to account for, or perhaps the civilisation which has introduced them and holds them too dear to give up. But the same civilisation has to some extent atoned by the introduction of the toothbrush, a thorough employment of which will, to a great extent, counteract the evils of the former as well as those arising from many other causes. Thorough brushing after every meal is strongly to b« recommended. No dentifice can be better than a mixture of pure soap and precipitate of chalk. Tooth powders should contain no bard substance, such as charcoal, silen, or pumice stone. These substances are used to polish iron and steel ; their ingredients are insoluble and of so hard a texture that, however finely divided, they will find their way between the gums and necks of the teeth, causing local irritation, and consequently, by destroying the membrane surrounding the tooth, injure the enamel. Mr D. W. Woods, in proposing a vote of thanks to Mr Collins, said he bad listened to ths paper with a great amount of attention. He regretted that he had not heard a similar paper many years ago. The essayist treated his subject in a manner which showed he was thoroughly well acquainted with the structure, formation, and growth of the teeth. The information the speaker had gained by listening to the paper had more than repaid his presence at the meeting. Mr J. Eager seconded the vote of thanks. He had read some works on the teeth, and he did not hesitate to say that a more intereating and instructive essay on that Bubject he had never listened to than the one Mr Collins read. He must also congratulate the essayist on his composition and the excellent manner in which he read. Mr Collins, he s».id, bad set the membeis an example both in style and delivery, and he hoped the members would profit by it. Mr O. M. Mouat wished to thank Mr Collins for his able paper. He thought if the essayist had a diagram, showing the formation of the teeth, more interest would be added to tbe subject. Mr Falkner said be was very much interested in the essay. He intended not to smoke for the future. Mr P. Hally could not understand why Mr Collins laid so much stress on the evil effecta of smoking. He asserted that more women suffer with decayed teeth than men, and he thought the cause of this was due to the use of the weed. Mr Frank Armstrong said he expected Mr Collins had the ability to produce a good paper and be was not disappointed. He would like to inform members whom it concerned that Mr Collins neglected to state that while tbe jaws of mcc were gradually getting smaller, the jaws of women were also getting smaller. He thought the fact was worth mentioning. Mr H. F. Mooney also complimented the essayist. He thought as great a compliment as he could pay Mr Collins was to endorse the remarks of previous speakers. Mr C. E. Haughton thought the literary merits of the paper, apart from the subject, were of a very high order. Mr Collins treated of the diseases of the teeth in a very interesting manner, but he did not think smoking injured the teeth to a very great extent. His Lordship the Bishop said the paper was admirable. The composition was exceedingly good, and the style of delivery left nothing to be desired. Unfortunately, his Lordship was compelled to read works on the teeth, and if he, like a former speaker, bad heard the subject treated in a similar manner as Mr Collins treated it, he would have no doubt greatly benefited by it. A paper on tbe teeth ia almost a necessity when so many people suffer from their

decay- He listened intently daring the whole course ef the reading of the essay and be enjoyed it very much. The proof, his Lordship went on to say, whether a paper wm really good wai the resolutions that were made, and several members had given expression to resolving to paj more attention to their teeth in future, to give np smoking, etc. That was the proof, and whenever these resolutions are made and kept, the object of an essay has been attained. Mr Collins in thanking the speakers for their kind oritioism said it was very natural for people who indulge in the weed to take exception to bis remarks re smoking. Nevertheless what he stated were undoubted facts. The reason why females suffer more from decay of (he teeth he thought was on account of the food whioh they eat. To those present who smoke he would strongly recommend the constant nse of the toothbrush. -i-i I */' ?•' Ot , nt * eUM » d his first essay on the subject of "Phy. I « JP %• ?e? c went °° t0 MT tn «* human body was like a machine with works more delicately constructed than a watch and more Wonderful than the most powerful steam engine. The number of bones ma human body is 24fi, 63 of which are in the head and face, 24 in the ribs, 16 in the wrist*, 14 in the ankles, and 108 in the lift *?t ' Tb v.* m 2,u nt of blood io m Bdult ■"»!" *bont onefifth of his own weight. The heart is 6 inches in length and 4 inches in diameter. At each beat of the heart 2, or of blood are thrown cnt. and during the course of the day 7J tons of blood are distributed through the human body. The average wtigbt of an man's brain is 31bs Bos. and that of a woman, 2lbs 4oz, all the nerves are connected with the brain. The nerves are until threads or fibres extending from the brain over the whole body. Each square inch of skin contains 3,500 sweating pores. The essayist said a French writer had written the following, when asserting by analogy how long a man should live. A camel grows 8 years and lives 40, fa hone grows 4 years and lives 25, a lion grows 6 years and lives 15 or 20, a doe grows 2 years and lives 10 or 12, a man grows 20 years and lives 100 or more. By a physical analogy therefore a man should, through the ordinary course of life, live 100 years. He said that by due attention to the laws of health a man should attain the age of 100 years. Health and happiness go together. A man's bouse shonld be bis most restful place on earth. When he enters his home he should feel that the cares, duties, business and worries should cease. When he sleeps he ahould feel as if he wew going to the land of forgetiulness, to rise refreshed ready for his daily duties. Hia home ehocld be hia club, Horary, picture gallery, and sanctuary. The benefits of exercise to those whose occupations do not lead them to make any physical exertion cannot be too highly estimated. Physical exercise causes the blood to circulate more freely through the body. The muscles during exercise press on the veins and help forward the currents of the blood by quickening every vessel into activity. Nothine ia i more injurious to the health of the body than the neglecting of physical exerciee. Exercise should be regular. Every mao , be said, should walk at least from six to eight miles a day. Next to aotive habits early rising comes as a means of health. The essayist gave notice that be would continue bia subject atla future meeting of the society. ° Several members commended the paper. The opinion of the critics being that when finished tbe essay will be exceedingly good. Messrß H. F. Mooney and James Hughes contributed recitations. I Ibe former gentlemaD has proved himself one of the best elocuioniats in the Society, and the comic piece recited at the meeting was another ez.mple i of his undoubted ability in that line. Mr James Hnghes, who delivered hia first recitation, was complimented by several speakers, and during the course of hia- criticism Mr Mooat advissd Mr Uughea to study the art of reciting, as he certainly acquitted himself very creditably in the short piece be had selected. The usual compliment to the chairman terminated the meeting. Before deciding on their toilettes for the present aDd coming seaMews Morrow, Bassett and Co guarantee that the McCormick simple knotter effects a vast saving in the use of twine. It enables a cheaper kind to be used without breakage* and with perfect success. • «g« g t0 « he demaDd fo ' their cabinet portraits at reduced prices, Messrs Bnrton Brothers, Dunedin, have resolved to continue taking these portraits until the end of October. The opportunity thus offered to the public is exceptional, and full advantage shonld be taken or it. • a¥u J - WilßOn . m »y b« consulted with advantage by any resident in Ashburton or its vicinity who needs the services of a painter or paperhanger. All work undertaken by him is carefully attended to and well executed. * A display of spring fashions is now being held at the D.1.0., High and liattray etreets, Dunedin. Ladies will find the fabrics sub' muted for their selection of the most choice and beautiful descriptions r of ?^ H> £? tbab y h " .'emoved to the Queen's buildings, Princes street, Dunedin, where his cnaromera aod the public generally will find him still prepared to supply all their requirements in the line of the umbrella and portmanteau manufacturer. Prices have now been reduced to a very low figure, while the excellence of the goods, owing to recent impro»emts has been raised. Messre O. 8. Reeves and Co., Bond street, Dunedin, advertise for sale several farms m the North Wand. All orders entrusted to the firm in ttatir various capacities receive most careful attention. Deafness Pebmanbntly Cubed.-A Gentleman who cured himself of Deafness and Noises in the Head, of maoy years' standing, by a new method, will be pleaaed to send full particulars, with copies of tastimonials, etc., for two stamps. The most successful treatment ever introduced. Address, Hhbbebt Cufton, 51 Upper Kennington Lane, London, S.E. B