:':>ioroed. 
 
 •«u 
 
 9 
 
 F847a 
 
 1888 
 
 G 000 005 902 
 
 ,*j
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES
 
 THE 
 
 !l7ieuemei7t5 apd Hope$ 
 
 OK 
 
 OUR SPECIALTY.
 
 <x\ UNNUIL ORSTION, >o 
 
 DELIVERED BEFORE THE 
 
 SmERIMN ffiCHDEMY OF DENTI^L SCIENCE. 
 
 BOSTON, MUSS., 
 N0¥„ 1888. 
 
 By Charles E.|Frmcis, D.D.S,, M.D.S, 
 new york city.
 
 THE ACHIEVEMENTS AND HOPES OF 
 OUR SPECIALTY. 
 
 CHAS. E. KRANCIS, D. D. S., NI.D.S. 
 
 Ages before the " healing art" was based upon scientific principles, 
 the practice of medicine was quite general in every inhabited portion 
 of the globe. The " medicine man " may date his existence as far back 
 as history can exhibit a record, and even among the most barbarous 
 nations of the earth, the " healer of diseases" has ever occupied a 
 prominent and influential position among his fellow countrymen. 
 
 The uneducated masses, from the earliest period to the present, 
 have looked upon the physician as though possessing a sort of super- 
 human power, and the best elements of civilized society have sought 
 his counsel and confided to his care their lives and the most precious 
 jewels of their hearts. Although empiricism for countless generations 
 held its sway, the ail of medicine through each successive period has 
 witnessed some degree of material progress. Accumulated knowledge 
 acquired by experimental practice, and experiences of careful obseners 
 became foundation elements for a broad professional structure. 
 
 But in order to possess the ability to diagnose disease, and to 
 practice medicine intelligently, a clear conception of fundamental laws 
 is always necessary for proper guidance ; so a comprehensive study of the 
 human structure and of functional action were elementary steps in the 
 direction of scientific advance. A familiar knowledge concerning the 
 nature of diseases, their origin, symtoms, peculiarities and tendencies; 
 also, the ready suggestion of proper means for their alleviation, arresta- 
 tion and eradication, are necessary requirements if successful issues can 
 be expected or hoped for. Hence, the study of anatomy, physiology, 
 histology, pathology, chemistry and materia-medica were deemed
 
 essential to professional growth, and for qualifying students to enter the 
 field of medical practice. 
 
 So through consecutive ages, illuminated In revelations of science 
 and aided b^ practical teachings of earnest and thinking minds, the 
 profession of medicine attainetl an exalted sphere of usefulness and 
 eminent standing. 
 
 In due course of time, with a view to extend the usefulness of 
 medical practice, and in order to meet the increasing demands of grow- 
 ing comminiities for medical attention, also with a desire to confer the 
 greatest possible benefits to sufi'ering humanity, special departments 
 were created where concentrated cHort might be directed to particular 
 ailments, the character of each better understood and more favorable 
 results obtained in their treatment. Diseases of the eye and ear ; pul- 
 monary, catarrhal, spinal, nein"al, mental, cutaneous and other affections 
 or disorders were considered as diseases requiring special study : and 
 not the least in importance among these specialties may be classed the 
 treatment of the teeth, and all diseases or abnormal defects existing 
 within the buccal cavity. In no department of medicine has greater or 
 more marked progress been mailc within the last quarter century than 
 in the department of dentistry or oral surgery. 
 
 Not many vears ago, dentists were considered outside the pale of 
 professional recognition. They were a class of isolated beings, pursu- 
 ing their % ocation in a very quiet way, and gathering instruction mainly 
 by lessons of individual experience. Knowing little of each other, they 
 hardly dreametl the immense benefits that might accrue from mutual 
 intercourse and associated effort, both to themsehes and to their 
 clientelle. Many of the pioneers were men of education and genius. 
 Some had been unfortunate in other pursuits, and in search for a new 
 fiekl of employment turned their attention to dental art, viewing it as a 
 lucrative and easy sort of emplo\ ment. But the real earnest and intel- 
 ligent workers in the course of their active duties, could in reality forsee 
 in the practice of dentistry, a broad field for useful labor, and one, 
 which if rightly improved and cultivated, might produce a harvest that 
 would prove not only a boon to themselves and their successors, but a 
 blessing to humanitv. 
 
 In early times, as no opportunities existed for obtaining the 
 knowledge to practice dentistry intelligently, and failing in their efforts 
 to secure satisfactory arrangements with medical schools, then in 
 existence, our energetic pioneers, with courage undaunted, laid the 
 foundation-stone of an independent institution in Baltimore, the city of 
 monumental fame, where it still stands as a memento of their zeal and 
 perseverance. There, dentistry was cradled and noiuished, until it 
 became an art based on a scientific foundation. There, it received an 
 impetus that no human power could check. There, precious seeds 
 were sown for professional growth, which in due time germinated and 
 bore fruits worthy the toil. Encouraged b}- this success, another 
 school was founded — the Ohio College. Philadelphia next added a
 
 school to the Hst, and the number of such institutions has so increased 
 that at the present time dental colleges exist in nearly every section of 
 the country. 
 
 Great and good work have they done in preparing so many 
 members of our specialty for the duties of their calling. Students from 
 nearly every civilized part of the world have sought access to their 
 halls, and received such instruction as their teachers could impart. 
 Much credit is due to the founders of these institutions, and their 
 successors, who have given their time, energ\', and talent to redeem 
 the art of dentistry from the thraldom of empiricism, and engraft it as 
 a healthful branch of the great medical brotherhood. 
 
 The establishment of dental colleges paved the way for the 
 formation of dental societies, and these have probably done more to 
 promote the growth of dentistry, and extend its benefits, than all other 
 influences combined. Located as they are, in every section of our 
 land, they unite in fraternal relationship, the leading members in each 
 locality, while State, National and International organizations bring 
 together the representative individuals of the various sections, thus 
 affording rare opportiuiities for a free interchange of thought and 
 opinion, and of giving and receiving the choicest fruits of individual 
 experience. Societies are the life and strength of a profession. They 
 infuse a spirit of healthful rivalry, engender mutual good-will, 
 encourage e\'ery effort for advancement ; and, as each progressi\e step 
 is taken, move onward for greater achievements. They cultivate 
 largely the social element, root out morbid strife and selfish animosities, 
 and brand as unprofessional all that is base and dishonorable. The 
 societies first established dental clinics, which in value to our specialty, 
 can hardly be estimated as methods of instruction. They also give aid 
 and encouragement to the colleges, and furnish much of the material 
 that fills the pages of the dental periodicals. They have secured 
 Legislative enactments to protect communities from mischievous 
 operations of incompetent operators — they ha\e fought charlatanism 
 with relentless vigor, and will never cease their warfare until quackery 
 is vanquished. AH honor to our dental societies for the good they have 
 accomplished, and the achievements they have won. 
 
 Dentistry to-day holds a position as a most useful and honorable 
 calling. Indeed, its services to mankind are not only invaluable, but 
 indispensible in all civilized communities. Through its ministrations 
 pain is mitigated, physical comfort sustained, health supported, life 
 prolonged. There is hardly a village in the country not represented 
 by some of its members, and in our large cities their numbers are legion. 
 Millions of people seek their aid, and profit by their labors and 
 counsel. The organs of mastication, so useful in their goodly ofiices, 
 and so important in their relations to the animal economy, and which, 
 in many instances, would hardly retain their integrity until even the 
 first scoi-e of life's summers are witnessed, are, bv the dentist's skill and 
 care, kept in a state of preservation to ripe old age. And when
 
 misfortune has lessened their numl)ers or rendered them unfit foi' 
 continued senice, dental art comes to the rescue to fill the vacant 
 spaces and again complete a denture. 
 
 But our vigorous and growing specialty is never satisfied with 
 past achievements or present gains. It is continually striving and 
 hoping for something better ; ever seeking new truths, originating new 
 ideas, working out new problems, suggesting new means, devising 
 new methods, testing new inventions, discussing new theories, and 
 investigating deeper, more thoroughly, and more intelligently, every- 
 thing bearing upon dentistry that has not already been fully revealed or 
 satisfactorily demonstrated. Its members have made many contribu- 
 tions to general science, and through their ingenuity and skill, valuable 
 appliances have been devised, which have added materially to the 
 welfare and comfort of mankind. The use of electricity as a motor, 
 was in great part due to the genius of Dr. Bonwill, of Philadelphia. 
 The invention of celluloid, used so extensivelv in the arts, and the 
 perfection of the dental engine, so valuable to dentist and surgeon, were 
 results from the laboratorv experiments of dentists. And the wonder- 
 ful sewing machine, so indispensable to household needs, was 
 originated by Dr. Avery, a New York dentist. The use of hard rubber 
 as a surgeon's splint was first suggested by Dr. Gunning, of New York, 
 and has proved the most suitable splint for a fractured jaw, known to 
 surgery. And did not anaesthesia originate in the active brain of a 
 New England dentist? In the city park of Hartford stands a fine 
 bronze statue, on a huge granite pedestal, erected to the memory of the 
 late Horace Wells of that city, whose name should live as long as 
 humanity exists, for having given to the world this benificent agent for 
 the relief of physical suffering, and to make surgical opeiati(Mis painless 
 and endurable. And it may further be stated that Dr. Wells was an 
 inventive genius, who devised not onlv a number of valuable instru- 
 ments and appliances to facilitate dental operations, but other appliances 
 outside his professional requirements. It mav interest the wheelmen, 
 who glide noislessly over the smooth pavements on theii swift running 
 bicycles, that Dr. Wells invented the first carriage propelled by the 
 rider, ever heard of in this countrv, and who declared, that when 
 perfected, could be made to travel ten miles an hour. I mention this 
 simply to show the ever-working genius of this remarkable man, whom 
 I knew in my boyhood as a personal friend. 
 
 In the study of histology, few men have penetrated deeper, and 
 achieved better results than have the members of our specialty. In 
 the field of microscopy, they have worked with an intelligent will, and 
 the whole medical body has profited by their disclosures. Where can 
 be found a more brilliant array of workers with the microscope than 
 our specialty can furnish? Tomes, Miller, Black, Bodecker, Atkin- 
 son, Abbott, McQiiillan, Mayo, Stowell, vSudduth, Andrews, Allan, 
 and a host of others? And even our distinguished Heitzman has for
 
 years been so intimately associated and thoroughly identified with the • 
 dental fraternity, that he seems to belong to our body. 
 
 The earnest efforts of the leading members of our specialty, and 
 the energy manifested in our dental colleges to impart the needed in* 
 struction, and place oral surgery in its rightful position, has been such 
 as to challenge attention from the prominent universities in the diflerent 
 sections of our country. To our honor should it be indellibly inscribed, 
 that grand old Harvard first broke the icv barrier, and opened its 
 doors to bid us welcome. And to supplement the affair, one of 
 Boston's most distinguished sons, the world-renowned Holmes^ on an 
 occasion like the present, delivered the annual address before this 
 academy. Within a few years, the great University of Pennsylvania 
 erected among its buildings an immense stone structure, in order to 
 increase its facilities for giving instruction in the department of den- 
 tistry. The University of Maryland soon after established a dental 
 department, and other universities have since followed their example. 
 I am strongly impressed with the belief that, sooner or later, the 
 independent dental colleges will become absorbed by our large univer- 
 sities, which have already adopted most of the schools of medicine. 
 The tide seems to have turned strongly in this direction. To prevent 
 it, we cannot, if we would, for progress moves only with forward 
 strides. And why should we desire to prevent this union with the 
 universities ? They can ofter better inducements to students ; they 
 have greater influence, and hold a more exalted position in the eyes of 
 the community ; their resources are more ample, their facilities more 
 extended, their system more complete ; and giving the matter cartful 
 consideration, is it not better for students of dentistry, and students of 
 general medicine also, to pursue their studies together? By this means 
 the student of dentistry has opportunities for obtaining a more perfect 
 knowledge of general medicine, and the student of medicine to become 
 better acquainted with the duties of our specialty, thus benefitting all. 
 Students of the difi'erent specialties graduate on the same plane and 
 platform, receive their degress from the same source, and secure a 
 common recognition with all students of medicine. Is not this an 
 advance in the right direction, and should it not constitute one of our 
 hopes ? 
 
 Some members of our brotherhood, from peculiar reasons or 
 caprices of their own, seem determined to have us believe that 
 dentistry is not a specialty of medicine, but an independent profession. 
 The}' appear to find a strange sort of satisfaction in proclaiming their 
 independence, and argue that the duties of the dentist are unlike those 
 of the general practitioner. Could they not sa^' the same of the occu- 
 list, the orthopedic surgeon, and indeed of all other specialists? Are 
 not the duties of the physician to administer to the sick and suffering, 
 and to battle with the various "• ills that flesh is heir to "? And are 
 not the duties of our specialty to administer to many of these ailments, 
 and to relieve suffering also? Aye, and do they not by their timely
 
 ministrations prevent many human ills, and thus verify the trite old 
 axiom, that "■ prevention is better than cure " ? Untold misery results 
 from the rebellious demonstrations of neglected dentures. Days of 
 acute toiture, and nights of restless agony: pulpitis with merciless 
 pangs of piercing pain that carry the sufterer to the \ erge of distraction ; 
 pericimentitis, with throbbing throes of dire distress, swelling lips and 
 cheeks, and often prostrating the entire organism. Exostosis, so diffi- 
 cult to diagnose, and so violent in its demonstrations ; alveolar abcess, 
 fistulous openings through jaws, gums and cheeks, emitting jets of 
 sickening pus, and sometimes marring for life the facial contour : 
 diseased antrum, with annoying and vicious discharges of purulent 
 matter ; necrosed bone and its attendant evils ; diseases of gums and 
 alveolar cells that cause absorption of process and exfoliation of teeth : 
 dental carries that destroy the integrity of the teeth, vitiate the buccal 
 fluids and pollute the breath I 
 
 Is it •' mere mechanical art " to remedy evils like these.' To be 
 sure, the nicest mechanical skill and genius are requisite in the treat- 
 ment of nearly all such cases, and mechanical art is an essential qualifi- 
 cation in many departments of medical practice. In all operations of 
 surger}-, an ability to manipulate skilfully is a most important desidera- 
 tum. The amputation of a limb, the adjustment of a splint, the 
 removal of a cataract, the ligation of an artery, the excision of a tumor, 
 may as appropriately be classed " mechanical operations" as are the 
 usual operations within the oral cavity. Is the treatment of alveolar 
 abcess any less important than are a score of other physical ills that 
 require medical attention ? 
 
 Where the human coimtenance is disfigured by protruding jaws 
 and distended lips, or by contracted dental arches with the teeth out of 
 all line of regularity, distorting the features, and causing perhaps a life 
 of disappointment and sorrow — is not something far beyond mere 
 mechanism required to correct and restore such deformities .' Is not 
 the treatment of spinal cur\atures as much mechanical art as is the 
 restoration of irregular dentures? Are operations of the upper section 
 of the human structure less important from a medical standpoint than 
 are those of the other sections.^ and is not a like degree of skill, care, 
 and good judgment requisite in their treatment? 
 
 When we consider how essential to health are the organs of 
 mastication, in faithfully comminuting the pabulum for nourishing the 
 animal tissues ; and consider also the mischief caused by forcing into 
 the stomach masses of unprepared or unmasticated food, to overtax and 
 impair the tonicity of that important receptacle, thus causing indigestion, 
 and laying the foimdation of serious systemic derangement — is it not 
 natural to feel that the care of these valuable organs should be confided 
 to specialists of the " healing art"? If a dentist claims that his voca- 
 tion is purely mechanical, or pleases to call it '* simply the practice of 
 a mechanical art," then it would seem as if his individual services to 
 his patients must be exceedingly limited, and they must go elsewhere
 
 for other attention, or suffer from neglect. It can hardly be presumed 
 that the dentist who possesses little or no knowledge of medicine, will 
 claim a position among trained physicians, but in the present age, it is 
 right of communities to expect that dentists shall become as well posted 
 in the principles of general medicine as the occulist, larnygicist, or 
 general surgeon ; and indeed, the ever-increasing demands of the 
 public upon our specialty, for its best services, makes medical training 
 in reality a necessity. 
 
 The claims that dentistry is a legitimate specialt\- of medicine, has 
 been foi'mallv recognized by the American Medical Association, and a 
 section on dentistry was instituted by the body. TJie A/nerican 
 Lancet^ in commenting on this action, and discussing the relation of 
 dentistr\- to medicine, states that, '' as regards the unsavory beginnings 
 from which dentistry has grown, no dentist was ever lower than the 
 barber surgeons of England, and the same may be said of most 
 specialties ; hence dentistry should not be denied recognition in the 
 medical profession because of its lowly origin." The onl\- question at 
 issue is, " has it so developed as to merit a place by the side of other 
 specialties.'"' The Lancet considers that a fair literary education 
 should constitute one of the preliminary requirements for medical 
 students of any specialty ; and as regards professional training, the same 
 ride shoidd apply alike to all. It favors a thi'ee-years course in a first- 
 class college, to bring graduates up to a high standard of excellence, 
 and declares that ^ the time is rapidh' approaching when dentists will 
 be quite as much doctors, in all regards, as are most specialists." 
 
 During the past summer, I received a letter from Dr. Allport, of 
 Chicago, a gentleman well known to you all as a most able and earnest 
 worker in the cause of dental education and professional progress. 
 He believes " it would be better for us if no more independent dental 
 colleges are organized, but that all dental teaching should be in 
 connection with, or supplemental to, the teachings of first-class medical 
 colleges, as Dr. Harris at first sought to have it ; and that the future 
 student should at least be educated in the fundamental sciences of 
 medicine, and the principles of general surgery, under equal exactions 
 imposed on those who practice in any other of the medical specialties." 
 He considers this the '• only proper method of making dentistry rank 
 (as it should) , as a specialty of medicine," and believes " it would give us 
 the kind of dental practitioners needed — and a class, which if added 
 to our Section in the American ^Medical Association, would make it 
 equal in professional culture and influence to that of any other Section 
 in that body ; and as much respected for scientific knowledge and 
 usefulness to the community." 
 
 A full recognition of properly educated dentists was shown at the 
 great International Medical Congress, at London, in iSSi, by the 
 successful organization of a Section on Dental and Oral Surgery; and 
 was repeated with still greater success, as a part of the Interna- 
 tional Medical Congress at Washington, in 1887. A similar Section
 
 8 
 
 will probably be organized at the next confijress, at Berlin, and it is 
 earnestly to be hoped that the progressive dentists of this country and 
 Europe will do all in their power to make the occasion worthy their 
 beneficent calling. 
 
 Gentlemen, let us all use our best endeavors to honor our chosen 
 specialtv. New duties are ever forced upon us, which we should be 
 jirepared to meet intelligently, and thereby give evidence of ability to 
 sustain the position we have claimed, and fill with credit the department 
 assigned us by our great mother profession. May the achievements of 
 our specialty ever continue to multiply, and may our hopes for still 
 higher attainments be never in vain.
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY 
 
 Los Angeles 
 
 This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. 
 
 Form L9-116w-8,'62(D1237s8)444