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102
these cases were in infants, no doubt they will improve as
their education progresses. A few were associated with
mental defect, and others seem to have acquired the habit of
stammering from playmates or relations.
Dental Condition of Children.—Of the 3,653 children
examined during the year, 2,098 (57.46 per cent.) showed
from one to six decayed teeth, 506 children (13.85 per cent.)
had more than six decayed teeth, being a total of 2,604
children, or 71.32 per cent., having decayed teeth, and only
28.67 Per cent. of the children had no decayed teeth. 172 children
(4.71 per cent.) were found to have dental abscesses, discharging
foul matter into the mouth and its being swallowed.
1,731 children (47.41 per cent.) showed "uncleanliness" of
the teeth, apart from actual decay. By uncleanliness is
meant that condition when creamy or yellowish matter is
adherent to the surface of the teeth, or in the crevices between
the teeth and the gums, and which can be rubbed off
with a brush or spatula. 196 children, some 5 per cent.,
showed notable irregularity of the teeth in the gums.
The above facts and figures speak for themselves, and
prove what an enormous amount of real suffering and preventible
defect is allowed to exist among school children, to
undermine their constitution and lessen their wage-earning
capacity. Thousands of young men are rejected every year
by the recruiting officers for the Army and Navy on account
of defective teeth.
Causes and Treatment of Tooth Decay.—Acid fomentation
of food particles left between the teeth and gums is a
primary cause of tooth decay, which begins in the infant
stage and progressively increases as the child gets older.
This suggests that "tooth brushing" drill among infant
departments would materially lessen this evil. But prevention
should always be associated with actual curing of the
defects already existing. Thus a very great benefit has