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terproximal space between the canine and the first approximating tooth to its right (left lateral incisor). As it passes through this space it curves downward, no doubt, below the gum in life. Circling the next tooth it rises through the interproximal space, making a similar curve upward from the level of the double retaining wires to as near the points of contact as possible, thus bracing each tooth interproximally over a surface nearly one-half of its full length. The wire continues thus weaving in and out in a counter clockwise direction until all the interproximal spaces excepting the last have been reinforced. Here due either to the existence of a natural brace, or more likely due to a shortage of wire, the appliance ends with a sort of "half hitch" around one of the retaining wires.

A previous writer(20) has described this appliance as consisting of two lengths of gold wire forming inner and outer splints. On close examination after its removal it was revealed that previous descriptions have been in error on this point and that the whole appliance was one continuous splint made by the remarkable weaving of this one length of wire.

The whole appliance weighs slightly more than two grams, which is less than a modern large gold inlay. When we observe that this weight was distributed over six teeth, we have reason to believe that the patient experienced little or no inconvenience from the appliance. The close adaptation of the wire to the necks of the teeth is also remarkable. This adaptation was so perfect on the lower right canine during life that salivary deposits had overlain the appliance at this point and had to be scaled away before the tooth could be taken from the splint, proving that this appliance was not inserted after death as has been suspected of some other ancient bits of dental art.(21) These deposits would also indicate that the appliance was in use over quite a period of time and was serving its owner, not alone for esthetic purposes but was aiding also in the processes of incision and mastication. From the abrasion of the teeth on their masticating and incisive surfaces one can see that this middle aged man gave his teeth hard usage, and any retentive appliance less well made would certainly not have enjoyed a very long existence.

The mandible itself is of unusually large dimensions and presents marked prominence for heavy muscular attachments. The bony process of the chin is over-developed. No doubt, this was the mandible of a veritable giant. The remaining teeth are in their normal position including the wisdom teeth which are smaller than the other molar teeth, a tendency noted by some authors' 22) as more typical of modern civilized man than of ancients.

The mandible, in fact we are told the whole skeleton, was wonderfully preserved and exhibits a greenish coloration described by some as being due to the effects of the embalming materials, probably iron or copper salts used on this man of high rank.

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980519 pas - Email: hseeden@aub.edu.lb