To The Profession. [Volume: 2, Issue: 9, April, 1861, pp. 491]

TO THE PROFESSION.

491

These I have had in use now upwards of five years, and expect them to
last as long as I practice dentistry. The condensing beaks of these last
are slightly curved, so as to act on the principle of an arch; the point requires to be thin enough to enter very narrow spaces in condensing lateral
fillings.
To fill a set of teeth properly, I would wish for a set of keen-edged,
well-adapted excavators, files, pluggers, plugging forceps, burnishers, and
a sufficient quantity of Jones & White's unequaled gold foil.
BELLEFONTE, February 20, 1861.
TO THE PROFESSION.
AT the meeting of the American Dental Association, held at Washington, D. C., July, 1860, the undersigned were appointed a committee "to
confer with dental practitioners throughout the Union, with a view to
the formation of local societies."
In the discharge of this duty the most feasible plan that suggests itself
to us for laying the matter before the profession, is to take advantage of
the facilities afforded by the dental journals.
We would respectfully suggest it to be a self-evident fact recognized by
every reflecting mind, that innumerable advantages must accrue to the
individual members as well as to the profession at large, by associated
effort. Nothing is better calculated to break down local jealousies; to
establish in their place agreeable and fraternal relations; to foster a desire for individual improvement, and beget that esprit de corps which
wherever it exists has a tendency to elevate the character and standing of
any profession. Taking this broad view of the matter, it is deeply to be
regretted that our profession should not have had its local societies established long since in every State and town of any size in the Union.
It is, however, gratifying to observe (and we take pleasure in recording
the fact) that within the last year and a half a number of local associations have been formed, and we have reason to believe that the movement
in favor of a national delegated association has had much to do with the
organization of these societies. We trust their example will be followed
by the profession in other sections of the country.
Having been appointed merely to confer with the profession on this
subject, and as we have directed attention briefly to the advantages of
associations, we do not feel it necessary to offer any further suggestions.
Trusting that the profession will feel the importance of acting promptly
in this matter, we shall be happy to afford any inforriation and assistance
in our power that may be desired.
J. W. VAN OSTEN, Philadelphia, Pa.
Committee, - W. W. ALLPORT, Chicago, Ill.
W. MUIR RODGERS, Shelbyville, Ky.