twenty years after by Lefoulon, but which principle is claimed by no other author."

After the appearance of this publication, Allen brought suit against Hunter, which suit was decided in favor of the latter.

To Dr. Allen is due the credit of bringing this process to the present degree of perfection, and making it one of the best and most artistic methods extant for the construction of artificial dentures.

Allen, in 1845, obtained a patent for the method of restoring the contour of the face by means of metallic bulbs.

The next construction of artificial dentures were those of Dr. M. Loomis, in 1854, which consisted of teeth and base made entirely of porcelain. This was esteemed impracticable, on account of its being so difficult to estimate with accuracy the amount of shrinkage in the process of baking.

The gutta percha base was introduced by Dr. N. B. Slayton in the following year, but proved only of temporary value.

Dr. D. W. Oliver's method was to swedge and fit, as one would a gold plate, a tin plate, upon which the teeth are arranged, and secured to the plate by casting with pure tin. He obtained a patent for this method in 1858.

We have already alluded to the construction of gold plates, introduced by Dr. Qardette, and also to the early experiments made by Dr. Hudson in cast plates, which plan was followed by Dr. W. A. Royce in 1836. It was revived by Dr. Geo. E. Hawes.

In 1842, Dr. A. Hill made a series of experiments for depositing plates for artificial teeth by the electro-galvanic process, which was soon abandoned, it being discovered that, in wearing these plates, a galvanic action took place which proved fatal to this method.

Dr. A. A. Blandy, in 1857, prepared an alloy which he patented under the name of "Cheoplasty." Dr. H. Weston sub

sequently introduced a metal, which was treated in much the same manner.

The last attempt at this sort of plate is a gold alloy, patented by Dr. George F. Reese, who claims that, from its peculiar composition, it is particularly adapted to the purpose.

It is claimed that experiments in enamelling gold plate so as to imitate the gum, roof, and anterior of the mouth, and disguise the setting of artificial teeth, were made as early as 1834, by Dr. H. Balsam; and that similar work was done by Dr. D. C. Ambler in 1836.

A few years after this Drs. George E. Hawes and C. C. Allen experimented in this direction with partially successful results.

In 1847, Dr. M. Levitt obtained a patent on enamel used for this purpose. Celluloid for dental plates was introduced in 1870, and is still used to some

extent.

The original patent of Nelson Goodyear for hard rubber was issued in 1857. After the death of Goodyear, this patent was reissued.

In 1856 experiments began to be made by Drs. C. S. Putnam, Bevins, and others, for the purpose of applying hard rubber to the manufacture of bases for artificial teeth.

In 1859, Dr. B. W. Franklin published instructions (illustrated) for preparing and constructing artificial dentures upon vulcanized rubber, and in 1860 Dr. E. A. L. Roberts issued a small work entitled The Dental Instructor, in which he gave instructions for vulcanizing rubber or gutta percha, for dental purposes, and from that time to the present its use has greatly increased.

John A. Cummings, in 1855, applied for a patent on forming the plate and gums in which teeth are inserted, in rub. ber and vulcanized. This application was three times rejected, but a patent was finally obtained by Cummings in 1864.

After having allowed his first application to sleep in the Patent Office for nine years, Cummings sold or transferred his patent in the same year that he received it, to some parties in Boston, who also obtained from Henry B. Goodyear and the American Hard Rubber Company the exclusive right and license to make use of and vend hard rubber as applied to dentistry and for dental purposes. The necessity for the use of this material having become apparent, these parties now began to make exorbitant demands upon the dentists, and where these were not acceded to litigation ensued; and, in 1880, it was estimated that in one way and another, principally to the non-settlement of complications, this rubber patent had cost the specialty over $10,000,000. The difficulty is now, however, at an end, the patent having expired.

Dr. Wildman, in 1865, published a valuable work on the History and Properties of Rubber, containing instructions for the manufacture of hard rubber for dental purposes, and giving a clear and concise description of the various stages in the manufacture of vulcanite as a base for artificial dentures.

In 1858 a substance was introduced for plates by Dr. G. Dieffenbach, which he

called "Amber Base," and for which he obtained a patent. The composition differed from the rubber compound, and preference was given to it over many of the materials at that time in use.

Dr. G. F. J. Colburn, in 1867, patented a base for artificial teeth, which at the time was thought would become a substitute for rubber. It was in reality a cement of which the mineral asbestos was one of the ingredients compounded with other substances. It was capable of being moulded in form, and also of being applied to metallic plates to unite the teeth thereto. To Dr. Colburn is attributed the credit of first suggesting the use of

gutta percha for making impressions of the mouth, which he did in 1847.

Caphorbia Corollata-Common milk weed from which "Lamb's Vulcanized Water-proof Gum," as it was called, was made and introduced to the specialty in 1875, as a substitute for rubber for dental purposes, by Dr. W. C. Barrett. Experiments were made with it under the impression that its adoption would relieve those using it from liability, under the claims of the Cumming's patent. A joint committee from the Seventh and Eighth District Dental Societies of the State of New York, was appointed to examine into its merits. In their report, these gentlemen declared that they had tested its qualities by vulcanizing and experimenting with the material as far as the limited time allowed them would permit, and that they "believed it to be superior to rubber in many of its characteristics, and in every respect its equal, and they therefore recommended it as eminently worthy of the attention of every dentist.' It is to be regretted that so hasty a decision was rendered by the gentlemen of the committee, for the "Water-proof Gum" they so highly endorsed proved a decidedly worthless material.

In 1871, Dr. James W. White published a small volume devoted to taking impressions, with descriptions of material

used, together with a chapter on porcelain teeth.

We next meet with collodion as a base for plates. This was patented in England in 1859, by John Mackintosh, and introduced by Dr. J. A. McClelland, under the name of "Rose Pearl."

Dr. D. Van Denburgh introduced the use of aluminum as a plate, in 1859, and this was revived by Dr. John J. Bean in 1866. Its use, however, did not become general, owing to the difficulties to be overcome in casting these plates, and in the preparation of a mould that would bear without injury a heat sufficient to

prevent the teeth from breaking when in contact with the melted metal.

About this time Dr. B. W. Franklin made a series of experiments by which he produced beautiful blocks of continuous gum, to be used with vulcanite rubber plates. He also made experiments with a view to vulcanizing blocks to metallic plates; and other experiments, showing the amount of expansion of plaster employed for dental purposes.

Dr. T. L. Buckingham was also engaged in experiments with plaster in the same direction, about this time.

In 1864, Dr. S. D. Eagle patented a method of securing single teeth or blocks to a metallic plate, by means of vulcanized rubber. The object of this method was to obviate the warping of the plate in soldering the teeth to it.

The warping of plates had proved a source of much annoyance and trouble to practitioners, who resorted to numerous experiments to discover the means of overcoming the difficulty. While upon the subject we are reminded of a somewhat amusing incident which proves that there are those, even among dental practitioners, whose supreme ambition to be first in everything oftimes renders them objects of ridicule. The veracity of the dentist is too well established to call for any laudatory remarks from us; but there are always to be found in the most exempt bodies, those who fail to reach the popular standard, as the following goes to prove :

At a dental meeting the subject of preventing the warping of metallic plates came up for discussion, and several theories had been advanced, when a member who was something of a wag arose, and with much gravity announced that he had entirely overcome the difficulty by simply plunging the heated plate into common molasses. Whereupon Dr. with much dignity arose, and stated that he had tried a similar experiment and

with highly gratifying results, but that instead of using molasses he had employed the finest quality of golden syrup. It is needless for us to remark that some one smiled.

In 1867, Dr. J. B. Newbrough offered to the profession "Bromite, or Gumcolored Iodized Rubber," which he claimed was not an infringement on the Goodyear patent. A suit against Newbrough was, however, instituted by the Goodyear Rubber Company, which, after a time, was in some way compromised or settled.

Experiments are being constantly made in each department of mechanical dentistry, but what improvements or valuable discoveries are destined to result from them in the future, we are of course unable to surmise.-Dental Headlight.

ANOTHER poisoning by Mrs. Winslow's soothing syrup. The victim was a two months old infant, living in Washington street, Brooklyn. For a week or so the mother had been in the habit of giving the child small doses of the medicine from time to time, with the usual soothing effects. On September 5th the child was exceedingly restless, and the mother, before retiring, foolishly administered, as she admits, a full teaspoonful of this syrup, although according to the directions she should not have given more than one half of this quantity to an infant of that age. In the morning when

she awoke the child was dead.

A POWERFUL antiseptic wash may be made by mixing sixty-seven per cent of carbolic acid with thirty-three per cent of resorcin, and adding ten per cent of water, which may be diluted to suit.

THE annual meeting of the Dental Association of Maryland and the District of Columbia will be held at Baltimore, Md., beginning Wednesday, Oct. 24, 1883.

H. M. SCHOOLEY, Sec'y, 1215 Penna. Ave., Washington, D. C.

THE QUERIST.

"What kind of varnish is best to use for sand-paper disks, and the best way to cut them so I can do it myself?"—G. W. P., Wis.

Shellach varnish is probably the best. Dr. Bodecker recommends three or four coats of this varnish in preparing the paper for disks. Use the first coat quite thin, as it will penetrate the paper more thoroughly and make the disk last much longer. The next coat should be a little thicker, and the last one quite thick. A die such as is sometimes used for cutting gun wads serves an excellent purpose for cutting the disks; or, the size required might be marked with compasses and then cut with shears.

P.

To J. P. R., N. Y.:-A Bunsen battery will last for two or three weeks for a surety; longer than this it cannot be relied upon. A good way is to charge two cells every two weeks, keep all the parts of the battery bright and clean, and then, by amalgamating your zincs every time you charge your cells, the zincs will last for about thirteen months in everyday use.

There is no objection to using a Fuller battery for your electric mallet. Some dentists use it altogether. The Fuller battery is made in this way: Take six glass jars (the Bunsen kind) and fill with electric cone fluid, allowing room in the jars for the porous cups, which are to be filled with water, some broken pieces of zinc and a copper wire having previously been put into the porous cups. Place the porous cups into the jars containing the electric fluid, and then connect the wires thus: copper to zinc, copper to zinc, etc., until all are joined, then attach your mallet cord. This battery will last from three to six weeks, when only the electric fluid will have to be renewed. This is a cheap and durable battery. But allow

In the August number, A. F. G. says: "After vulcanizing a black rubber case in the new mode heater, and laying aside for a few days, I found my case turned a light brown. What is the cause of it?”

The above is a little obscure. If the case was only washed off and laid aside, when it became dry of course it would be a light brown, caused by the intermixture of some of the plaster, but if we assume that the case was scraped, smoothed and polished, then laid aside, and from a pure black color.became, in a few days, a light brown! it is certainly very remarkable and would merit further investigation. I have never had such an experience yet. Although several pieces of black, vulcanized rubber plate have laid about my office for some two or three years, I see no discoloration. They are just as black as ever they were. If A. F. G. gave a more minute explanation of his vulcanization, some cause might be found for the discoloration.

W. R. H.

THE Wisconsin State Medical Society, during its recent annual session, passed a resolution virtually declaring consumption to be an infectious disease, and urging the necessity of the proper isolation and disinfection of those suffering from it.

"THERE is nothing very brilliant about our Bremen dentists," said a lady to a member of the profession in Berlin, "but they are very obliging. If you wish to have a tooth extracted with gas, they forthwith light the chandelier."

NOVEMBER 15th, 1883.

VOL. 1.-No. II.

Published by

Edited by CHAS. E. PIKE, D.D.S.

INTRODUCTORY LECTURE BY THE DEAN OF THE PHILADELPHIA DENTAL COLLEGE AND HOSPITAL OF

ORAL SURGERY.

Professor Garretson brings notes to his lectures, but seldom uses them beyond the first five minutes of his discourses, let the subject be what it may. As nearly as the substance could be secured, the following is a fair resume of what was said on the occasion of the commencement:

You have come here, gentlemen, to secure knowledge of the art and science of dentistry, and to possess yourselves of diplomas, which latter has in it this meaning, namely, that the Philadelphia Dental College recommends the holder to his community.

Individually you have paid the faculty of the college certain fees which have been accepted under an implied obligation on our part to return you to your friends accomplished in what is understood as the curriculum of the school. Necessarily, then, the relation stands. thus:

Ist. Unless there be dishonesty on the part of the faculty, we must possess you, before we part from you, of that for which you have come and for which we have been paid.

2d. The signification of a diploma is this: Dentistry has in it the meaning of services associated with the welfare and happiness of individual life. The Legislature of the State of Pennsylvania, ap

preciative of the fact that the people at large are unable, out of their own knowledge, to know whether they are being served or abused, has appointed this faculty, with its educated judgment, to stand between communities and a possible, not to say probable, abuse. The Legislature has said, virtually, to this faculty: "We appoint, and confide in you, to recommend and to endorse to our people dentists who are known to you as being fully competent to perform the services. needed-these, and only these.

Out of the positions presented it is plainly to be understood that two things are necessary to be attained by students and faculty:

Ist. That we give and that you receive, a knowledge of dentistry.

2d. That we find ourselves conscientiously able to bestow, and that you conscientiously fit yourselves to receive, the recommendations confided to us, under the imposing and sacred seal of a diploma, by the laws in which this college has its existence.

I think these introductory remarks place us on the ground of a mutual understanding.

1. On the part of a faculty, members of which take on themselves the responsibilities of teachers of students, it is duty to leave undone nothing that may have in it the meaning of accomplishment of work assumed. That teacher who in any way saves himself, his comfort, his con