Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1866-08-29
voRp ABOUT THE TEETH.

III a. 1
hoe, held in Boston. exhibits a steady
growth and attention to the principles OF
dental science. The members Of it seem to
be gifted with large intelligence. In fact,
the mechanical ability and skill exhibited
by American members of this profession
carry them far beyond those of any other
and many go from this country to
establish themselves in Paris, Mexico,
Brazil, and other foreign cities and coun-
tries, where they at once take high rank in
their profession. One of the essays read
at the Convention shows what is, perhaps,
in part at least, the cause Of this, namely:
that as q whole, no nations in the Old
World have such bad teeth as the Ameri-
cans. Bad cookery and hasty habits Of
eating were pointed out as prominent
causes Of this. But the fact was admitted
that, as a preventative science, dentistry
has effected no appreciative results. the
teeth Of the people in all u large cities
being, if anything, worse now than ever.
The very facility with which new and arti-
fetal substitutes can be supplied seems to
render persons more careless. A very
able paper was read by DR.. Knapp, OF
New Orleans, on The Sacrifices Of the
Human Teeth. He believed that thou
sands of teeth, that might be preserved for
a series Of years, were annually displaced
with artificial ones. He thought this more
prevalent in the North than in the south,
because Of the superior facilities for max
ing artificial teeth. Bad dental operations
in filling and plugging constitute a fearful
source of loss. The object should be not
merely that the filing should stay in its
place, but to arrest decay. Unless the
cavities be properly prepared, the teeth
will soon go. But, after all, the ability
to arrest decay depends much on the gen.
eral health and strength Of the constitu-
ton of the patient. If physicians and
dentists would impress some of these facts
upon their patients, many valuable teeth
might be saved.
In fact, it wa quite refreshing to hear
the truth so distinctly recognized that
every mans teeth ought to have a certain
value to him, because they are his oton.
But the truth, after all, lies here few
persons seem willing TO pay a fee simply
for advice. Hence the profits Of the pro-
fession lie in artificial and not in natural
work. There is little or no pay in teach
ing people how to prevent the loss OF
teeth, but from their extraction and the
supply Of their places come fame and for
tune. II there could be a class OF sim
ply consulting dentists, who take fees for
giving directions, much good might result.
As things at present stand, dentistry is
a young science. and though all feel the
benefit that might be derived from mutual
exchanges of information, there are many
jealousies to be got over. A number OF
the best practitioners do
valuable contrivances and arts to each
other. But quacks abound in the pro-
~fess;on. and one Of the most exciting de-
bates occurred as to how far it was the
duty of regular members Of the profession
to expose and warn the public against
tricks calculated to do the profession
harm. It was decided that such was
their duty. Much time was spent in dis
cussing the code of morality which ought
to govern the members IN their intercourse
with each other, especially in regard to
not putting down fees where a scale has
once been agreed upon, not putting one
self, or using receptions such as under
taking what cannot be performed, etc.
| There was a fine exhibition Of physical
science, union Of purpose for the eleva-
ton of their profession, and for keeping
up the honor, moral ton and gentlemanly
department of its members. As an art,
dentistry is without doubt improving very
rapidly.