3 ms·
They could have periodically replaced it if it was only wrapped around the teeth. Changing a bandage is a pretty normal part of medical care. Changing the cast
by DoreenMichele 5y ago
They could have periodically replaced it if it was only wrapped around the teeth. Changing a bandage is a pretty normal part of medical care. Changing the cast periodically is a routine part of modern treatments for club foot in children.
The assumption that it had to last X amount of time is questionable.
- klyrs 5y agoI agree, but another problem with gut is that it stretches under load when moist -- one of the issues with catgut strings on instruments is that they can't hold a tune, and that's much worse on hot & humid days (digression, they sound great though... much like nylon). Gold is also malleable, but can take quite a bit more tension before failure and work-hardens where catgut undergoes plastic deformation. The other point I'm less certain of is that the discovery was based on dental calculus... I suspect that this wouldn't have been so pronounced if the thread was replaced frequently.
- DoreenMichele 5y agoThank you for that very informative comment.