In children who are the subjects of hereditary syphilis, the teeth show malformations first pointed out by Hutchinson. The teeth are narrow and pointed; the most obvious lesion being in the permanent front teeth of the upper jaw. The upper incisors are narrowed instead of being expanded towards the cutting edge, and the central ones have generally a crescentic notch which is very characteristic. This condition of the teeth is frequently associated with interstitial inflammation of the cornea, and is ascribed by Hutchinson to a syphilitic inflammation of the gums during the formation of the teeth.