Note 27 — HISTORY OF DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORTING EVIDENCE (continued 2)

Among the Australian skulls I have examined in museums caries of the wisdom teeth—i.e., in those very teeth which, as shown by their atrophy, are least used—is by no means uncommon (though it is possible that some of the skulls belong to natives who have embraced the dietetic customs of the white man). I submit that this fact may fairly be used as an argument in favour of the view that inefficient use of the teeth predisposes them to caries by interfering with their resisting power, though it must be acknowledged that the position of the wisdom teeth places them at a disadvantage, owing to the tendency of food to accumulate about them, especially in undeveloped jaws in which they have not adequate room.