 In 1985 , almost 150 years after the Byne 's disease was first mentioned in the literature , Norman H. Tennent and Thomas Baird published an extensive study on the subject . Their deep analysis , involving many complex and sophisticated techniques such as X @-@ Ray diffraction , infrared spectroscopy , <unk> analysis and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy , finally revealed the true nature of the decaying process . They identified the substances involved ( the calcium salts ) , as well as the chemical reactions that originated them . They concluded that Byne 's disease is not actually a disease , and is in fact caused by simple chemical reactions which occur in the presence of acidic vapors originating from the immediate environment in which the specimens are stored . 
