New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1847-06-01
NIercnrr nnd Dentistry.

The following letter was written for and should nave
appeared In The Tribune some days since. 1t Is now
given in confederation of the views already advanced
In our columns by Mr Psrmy.-EdI
To The Editor Of The Tribaas:
have Just seen notice in your paper OF the
death Of Mr. Ames of Springfield, Mass caused by
bad dentistry a friend OF mine met Mr. A. at the
Springs some months after he came from Englan
aud heard him relate substantially the following
facts When be arrived at Paris be found II necessary
70 employ dentist. and called on Messrs. -- "a the
beet ia the city Hseeth much decayed and some
OF them remarkably tender. The dentist nlled them
with mercursl cement and stated In your psper ne
had never a well day since the operation. ms
have had recorded with many others CT similar
character than and the termination OF II
unexpected. His attending physicians and all
who heard his of the were convinced OF
the poisonous character OF this compound ana were
not tor the ntOleGsble Ignorance snd cupoi OF suns
OF the dentists 10 this country the article would pe lot
ever discarded under al circumstances. ms amasam
Is used By dentists here and In Boston under the follow
Ing names Mineral PASTE, LythOdOn, cuccidonium &c
nearly all the same compound and mixed with mercu
~ The cost this miserable stun "a but tre IS sny
one must know when made acquainted win me com
pound some Of them pretend thst they nave su Pc
nor article entirely free from mercury. This Ia too pre-
oserous 70 be believed by themselves the idea OF
forming metallic compound without heat, which Will
become hard, Is perfectly absurd This article has been
lOng before the public and has been investigated Oy
chemists and physcians and OF them In their wis
dom have decided It's favor rather gave IL harm
less parole and let i pass.
Now Jet US calmly examine this matter. and see II
there 10 not semet ng contend with which Is beyond
the skill Of chemists and physiologis,s mean the idi.
osyncracy Of man. All medical men, who have lnyesti-
gated the subject OF this singular and unac'
countable dissisy in the constitution OF the human
They cannot tell why opium will operate on one
individual a csthartc and another as an opate but
such Il the fact. Some persons can be poisoned oy
touching tie leaf Of the Rhus TOxcodendron and Diners
can chew i with little no effect Some can Work az
mercuria pills and other preparations OF the same sr
Gle and experience Inconvenience aud others can De
ssvsted by rolling pills In their hngers lfosyncraey
il manifested 10 many ways snd IL Is yet beyond tne
power OF sciepce investigate the principles on MGR
II IA founded The fact that mercuris cement vi" act
on some individuals and produce the most alarming
,vnutons and even death, cannot be denied. BUTTS
thar others can receive large quantities Of this
work and not mind IT, Il s therefore beyond the
nower of man TO determine beforehand whether the &C
ion of this uercurial smslgam on particular human
frame will be harmless poisonous but there is great
danger involved Ia is The Sulphurc Ether, when
for the purpose Of extracting teeth without
pain will permanent arrangement in all oat
va fear that the functions Of the brain permanently
Injured In others !. w CRANE M D. II Leroy place.