The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-08-07
PHILADELPHIA, Aug, 4, 1856.

The american Contention Of Surgeon Dentists.
The American Association Of Dental Surgeons
commenced its annual meeting on Thursday, the I'd
inst, ut Assembly buildings, in this city.
At the commencement of the session it was pro-
posed to increase the sphere of usefulness Of the
cety, by dissolving the association and reorgani-
zing under the name Of the Dental Congress It was
urged that this course was necessary in order to
give wider scope to the transactions and to include
in it's deliberations great number Of members Of
the profession who were by the arbitrary rules Of
the society, excluded from participating in its pro-
ceedngs and contributing to the general fund of
science the results Of their experience. After con-
siderable discussion the proposition prevailed and
the old association was quietly consigned to place
among the things that were, and the American
Congress of Dental Surgeons commenced its exist
enee The experiment has proved in the highest
degree successful, and the originators of the move
have reason to be proud OF the benefit which they
have been instrumental in comforting upon most
important branch Of science
The Congress was permanently organized by the
election of Dr. J. d. Rich, of New York, as Presi.
dent; Dr. J. S. Clark, of New Orleans Vice rcsi.
dent; Chas. Bonsall of Cincinnati Recording Secrea.
ry; and DR.. J. II. McGuillen, of Philadelphia, Cor
responding Secretary.
Upon taking the chair, DR.. Rich made brief
speech, in which he congratulated the Congress upon
the bright prospect before them, and alluded to the
great benefit likely to from the liberal views
and the enlarged sphere of action which the Conven
ton gave TO its members.
The rest Of the day was occupied in discussion
upon the use of crystal gold for filing cavities.
On Thursday morning, some Of the members
thinking that the word Congress" was rather too
loud sounding, and fearing that the term would be
taken an exhibition of arrogance, moved that the
word convention he substt tied. The motion, after
| full discussion, prevailed.
The remainder Of the session was spent in discus
| sing the hest method of keeping the mouth and
cavity dry during the operation Of plugging, and of
destroying the sensibty of the dentne during ope-
rations. The debate was very interesting.
This morning, the question before the Convention
was to the best means Of separating the teeth,
with view to examination or filling. This was the
most interesting discussion Of the session. and nearly
every member Of the Convention took part In 1t.
Some advocated the free of the file in such cases;
but the great majority gave their testimony In favor
of separating the teeth by means Of India rubber.
This subject occupied the attention during the entire
| morning
The resolution fixing upon New York as the place
OF meeting next year was reconsidered and the Con-
vention voted to meet in Philadelphia in August next
motion was made that the Convention recon-
| mend to the profession the establishment of local
societies throughout the country for dental improve
| ment. The resolution was unanimously adopted
and after passing vote Of thanks to the officers of
the Convention aud to the dentists of Philadelphia
for their kind and hospitabe attentions to their
brother professors from abroad, the Convention ad
iourned to meet agreeable TO the resolution In re-
| gard TO next years Convention.
1t was expected by many that the subject of
chloroform III dental surgery would find its way be-
fore the Convention, incidentally otherwise; but,
owing to good management, or the great interest
| other discussions. it failed to come up.
pleasant reunion took place, at Parkinson
| saloon, on Thursday evening being banquet given
by the dentists Of this city to the members OF tn
Convention. About one hundred persons were pre-
sent aud the manner in which the viands were dis.
posed Of gave assurance that the dentists we're per
| fecty at home in that department. The supper wa
served up in superior style, and nothing was omitte
TO render the entertainment everything that coul
| be desired. DR.. Charles Townsend, Of Philadelphia
welcomed the yisiters in neat aud appropriat
| speech; after which all did ample justice to tn
| dolicacies before them.
| Speeches aud toasts delivered by Drs. Dwi-
| nellie, Of Cazenovia, N. Y; j. B. Rich and Charles
| W. Ballard of New York city, w. A. Palmer Of
/ Poughkeepse, N. Y; G. q. Cone Of Baltimore:
john s. Clark, Of New Orleans and by Drs. f. Town
| send, J. d. White Robert Arthur aud Daniel Neal,
| Of Philadelphia.
Altogether this Convention has been the most i'm.
portant meeting Of scientific ever held in this
country and probably the largest meeting of dentists
| ever held in the world The good which such as
semblsQes must have upon the comfort and we'll
beirR Of the people At large cannot but be apparent
In o The Importance Of faithful aud sklful opera
tons non the teeth must be acknowledged and ia
| NO way can the public be well secured from
k ms by such ntercha ges OF experience has
Ieeu made during the sessions of this Convention.
l The experiment has become success, and we may
look for the tangible evidences whenever our neces-
alls plsee W. " NV deaL.sts asSI> Io.tsss