American Dental Convention. [Volume: 2, Issue: 2, September, 1860, pp. 100-121]

PROCEEDINGS OF DENTAL SOCIETIES.

109

material, and considered its effects would be deleterious to the patient.
The porosity of this material was also an objection. He has found
nothing equal to good gold work for permanent or temporary work. In
inserting temporary sets, avoids the use of atmospheric plates, and would
not use them in one case in a hundred. Sets when inserted will adhere
longer without an air chamber than with one.
Dr. Hurd did not object to sulphur in the vulcanite material, and considered the smell would not be perceptible if properly prepared. He considered that all the different kinds of work had their advantages in special
cases; if we were half as faithful to our patients as the materials are to
us, we would obtain a higher degree of perfection. He inserts a temporary set as soon as possible, carefully extracting the natural teeth; he
never cuts away any portion of the gum or alveolar process, believing
that nature can perfectly accomplish the work of absorption, and that we
cannot improve upon her method; the pressure of the plate should be
directly upon the projecting points. He also referred, in appropriate
language, to the responsibilities and trials of the dental profession.
Dr. Goldey referred to the advantages of the vulcanite base.
Dr. Wetherbee thought that Dr. Allen's method was the best to be
followed, provided the plan suggested by him during yesterday's session
was not adopted; he thought we might say a permanent set could be
introduced; if his plan was tried the result could be accomplished, and
thought it only sufficient for the profession to try this method to become
aware of its benefits.
The President alluded to a custom which had been introduced in the
former meetings of the Convention, requiring members to speak of their
own practice without referring to or objecting to other modes.
Dr. Asay offered a few remarks upon this subject.
Dr. Franklin spoke of the presence of sulphur in the vulcanite material,
and that a strict chemical analysis would not detect its presence, such
tests having been repeatedly made; he had seen a case that had been
used for five years, and answered the purpose perfectly of an artificial
denture in every particular; considered it invaluable, but nevertheless
thought other bases had their advantages. It was very important to
properly manipulate the vulcanite material.
- Dr. Roberts spoke of what had been claimed for the vulcanite material;
the color of the hard rubber was produced by the oxide of mercury, which
must affect the system unpleasantly; it should be an object with all to
introduce the purest material; he claimed that the continuous gum work
had such advantages as could be claimed by no other material; the color
of the vulcanite base is changed by repeated heating in mending.
Dr. Taft inserts temporary sets immediately after extraction, never
allowing more than a week to pass; considers the term temporary sets a
good one, and that both patient and operator would perfectly understand