Review of Dental Literature and Art. [Volume: 2, Issue: 1, August, 1860, pp. 33-40]

40

THE DENTAL COSMOS.

makes these diseases his specialty should be awarded that position by the
medical profession that his acquirements as a specialist seem to demand.
"Eminent minds have often admitted that a single department of science is sufficiently comprehensive to occupy the attention for the entire
life of one man. With the dentist in full practice, it is a matter of everyday occurrence to see mouths so replete with salivary calculus and accumulated filth, as to leave no doubt in the mind of any one who reasons
from cause to effect, that to this cause, in many cases, might with truth be
referred disturbances more or less serious in the alimentary canal and
lungs. Again, that most distressing disease, facial neuralgia, which is
considered unmanageable and eccentric, in a large proportion of cases, by
a careful diagnosis will be found to depend upon the diseased pulp of
some offending tooth. In whatever light dentistry may be viewed, it will
be evident to an unprejudiced mind that it has claims to be admitted to
the favorable consideration of the medical profession, whether as a collateral branch of the healing art, or as means of relieving human suffering and contributing to the comfort and happiness of mankind."
SOUTHERN DENTAL EXAMINER-JULY.
"NATIONAL DENTAL CONVENTION. By GEORGE S. FOUKE.- The
convention which is to meet in Washington, D. C., July 31, 1860, will
present an interesting phase of associative effort for the promotion of
dental science and art. It is proposed to establish a 'National Association' upon a representative basis. The national society presupposes the
existence of State and local societies, which are to elect members, pro
rata, as delegates to the National body.
"The South cannot, from present appearances, be very largely represented in the approaching convention. And why? Because there are
only three societies at this time known in the South. Virginia has a
society; North Carolina has one; Georgia one. Others may be formed
yet in time to elect members to the convention, which we think is the duty
of all Southern dentists to do. We should like to see a general movement in this direction. Let the dentists of every State organize at once.
Let it be remembered that the ordained line of dental progress is associative effort. Twenty years ago there was no such thing as a dental
society in America. In 1839, Dr. Hayden, of Baltimore, got 'together
certain dentists' in New York City, and the associative principle was
then put to work. The result of 'Hayden's action' is known and felt
wherever dentistry is known and practiced. The progress of the past
two decades is greatly if not almost entirely the result of ' association' in
the profession.
"We have often wondered why the dentists of the Southern States do
not form and establish societies. It is time to act! 'Action' is everything. Supineness accomplishes nothing.
"As a Maryland dentist, we blush to think there is no State dental
society in Maryland. Only think of it I The State that holds the ashes
of Hayden-the 'prophet who struck the rocky Horeb of the dental
heart, and forth gushed a stream of intelligence, gladdening our thirsty
tribe'-has no dental brotherhood worth the naming, and no State representative in the 'National Convention 1'
" Can the Association about to be formed at Washington be considered
National, if it has no representation from the Old Maryland Line'?
Hardly."