Abstract
1. 1. Early carious lesions in enamel were examined by direct and transmitted light. They were stained to detect the occurrence of metachromasia, basophilia, polysaccharides, and protein. 2. 2. The lesions were basophilic and gave a positive periodic acid-Schiff reaction, indicating the presence of acid polysaccharides. In the deepest parts of the lesions, the prism-sheath areas were the first to react with periodic acid-Schiff reagents. 3. 3. Evidence is presented which suggests that carious lesions may be initiated by the rupture by dilute acids of a calcium mucoproteinate complex which is removed in the first place from the prism-sheath areas. 4. 4. In order to test this theory, normal enamel was subjected to the action of 1 liter of 10 −5N hydrochloric acid over a long period. The acid extract was dialyzed, concentrated, and then hydrolyzed. The hydrolysate gave a positive reaction for glucosamine. This was considered to support the hypothesis set out.
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