The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-11-21

LIE pEN az cOLEEsaE

A
Dentistry is generally considered a modern
science, and its practitioners as men of low
standing and little worth. This is a mistaken
notion. Dentistry is of ancient origin; it was
orsctised among the Greeks and Romans, and
even BY nations of still oder date. Let him
who would deneunce the Dentist as The follower
of profession of low birth and modern date,
search the records of those ancieRt people, and
| see Il there were 10 Dentists when they reig1ed
sole dictators to a world. Let him unfold the
parchment and dccipher the history Of Hippo
crates, an Aristotle, and Pliny, and see ii he
can there find no proof that Dentistry was a
science in those days. II he wants still further
proof, let him go to the Catacombs Of Egypt, let
him examine their contents, and he will ind,
upon the embalmed inhabitant of Pharoah's
kingdom, the indestructa bic record Of the Sur
geon Dentist Yes! Dentistry is an ancient
science, and those who follow it as profession
ought rather to be proud than ashamed OF the
name of Dentist But it IS not my intention
to trace the origin of Dentistry, much less to
write euIogy upon its practitioners My OBJ
iect was simply to notice an Institution which
has lately commenced operation in this city, and
which bids fair to confer real ana lasting bless
ing, not only zpon this, but upon all succeeding
generations Last winter the Dentists of Balt-
more applied for and obtained charter for a
College, to be styled ''1'he Baltimore College of
Dental Surgery" This institution is now, as
above mentioned, in full operation, and if il re-
ceives liberal support, or patronage, 1t will
soon become one of the most useful schools that
the enterprise of man ever erected. Dentistry is
not merely mechanical art; true, it requires a
considerable amount oil mechanical skill to be-
come a good practical Dentist, but, then, this
is not the only requisite. 4 thorough ac
quaintance with nearly every branch Of medi-
cine and surgery is indispensable. The non
attainment Of the latter qualification has been
the cause OF many bitter lear and mournful |
sigh; and 70 this circumstance alone may be at !
tributed the abuse that has been heaped indis-
upon the dental profession. This
assertion requires no heightened argument to
substantiate it. Alas, too many proofs daily
present themselves to our view. Look at that
lovely girl, just entering upon tine third stage OF
her existencc-behold her detected look and
sorrowful eye. What could have caused that
flower to droop' Ask her, and her reply will
soon disclose the secret. She has been to
Dentist. Yes, she has been to Dentist, but
what kind of Dentist If he had bcea master
of his profession; if he had properly understood
the healing AIT, he would not have been the
cause of her present larsentable condition. But
have said enough. Time alone will unfold the
advantages this institution Che Baltimore Col
lege of Dental Surgery) will give 70 its gradu-
ates An intelligent people will sooA learn to
appreciate its usefulness. The march of science
is ever onward. HAY God speed its progress,
and dispel the cloud of ignorance which pre-
vents us from reaching that high station among
phllanthropists to which we are justly entitled
NJ C. R.