Review of Dental Literature and Art. [Volume: 2, Issue: 8, March, 1861, pp. 448-456]

452

THE DENTAL COSMOS.

quite useful as it is. In the part devoted to "ready reference," there are
some valuable suggestions; but in looking over this portion, we think it
will be generally conceded that there are many points open to controversy. Want of time and space, however, only admits of our directing
attention to the following: "Among the various anaesthetics in use, experience has proved that chloroform is the pleasantest, most convenient of
administration, and as safe as any."
In opposition to this last remark, we have the decided testimony of
Drs. Snow and Richardson, of England, and Prof. Dalton, of this country, with regard to the fatality attendant upon their experiments with
chloroform on the lower animals; and in addition, we have the carefully
prepared and well authenticated statement on the part of Dr. Kid, that
there have been more than 100 fatal cases accompanying its administration in minor operations on man. With such an array of facts, how can
it be said to be "as safe as any" anaesthetic?
DENTAL REGISTER OF THE WEST-FEBRUARY.
" MEETING OF THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY ASSOCIATION.-The regular
annual meeting of this association will take place on Wednesday, February 20th, at ten o'clock, A.M. We hope there will be a full meeting. It
always gives us much pleasure to meet with the members of this association. We are always anxious to enjoy its meetings, and always sad at the
time of its adjournment.
"It is the oldest dental association in the world; other associations came
into existence, became superannuated and died, or fulfilled their mission,
and passed out of existence. The Mississippi Valley Association differs
from all such, in this, that it is never weary nor exhausted in doing good
work, and it does not become superannuated, for it works more vigorously
now than ever before; it seems to be constantly renewing its age, and
gathering strength for the accomplishment of new purposes. We anticipate a very full meeting of the working men of the profession. T."
With no disposition to detract one iota from the meed of praise justly
due to the above association, on the contrary, willing to coincide heartily
with all that the writer might have said of the innumerable advantages derived by its members from the annual meetings, and the beneficial influence
it has exerted over the profession, we must still beg leave to enter a protest (at least for one association) against the fell swoop with which he
consigns all other organizations to Hades.
We freely admit as an unquestionable fact, that the Mississippi Valley
Association is the oldest dental society in the world, having been organized August 13, 1844.* In this respect, however, she only has the advantage of being one year older than the Pennsylvania Association of Surgeon
Dentists, which was organized December 15, 1845.t Since the date of

* American Journal of Dental Science, old series, vol. v. p. 112.
t Ibid, vol. vi. p. 208.