National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1868-02-07

As "Folsom's Patent" is now being adver-
tised as a great discovery in Dentistry, it may
not be amiss to inform the public what it il.
1t consists simply of a small edge OF rim turned
inward upon the edge of the plate-the design
of which is that by bedding itself INTO the gum
il may serve as q sort Of mechanical fastener.
and assist in holding the plate more firmly in
its place. And iii 50 happened that the lin !
ing membrane of the mouth were As tough and .
insensible as a horses h0of, the theory might I
work very well; but every one who has worn |
an artificial plate knows how easily IN appa.' |
emily smooth surface Of the plate viii iiritaie /
the mouth if 1t happens to press little u1-
equally in one place, and how much moro this
sharp edge. which is intended to cut a grove
large enough for itself into the iesh. il may
ba worn in some instances and even assist in
kecping the plate in its place but always and
onlv in cases in which the plate docs not iii the
mouth. This will be readily seen hy every
one, for if the plate fits closely 1t is plain that
this extra ridge would be intoloIanie, but i
the impression be akwardly ta1oa, and the
plate fit imperfcctly, leaving a space between
| il end the gum. the ridge used ia Folsoms
method may serve to partially repair the de
| feet. This seems to be its only possible utility,
Besides this, it ia not "A new discovery. Dr.
| Gilbert and DIR. Forbush Of Montpelier, both
tried if years before it was ev or discovered by
Mr.. Folsom: that is, they turned up an
adge upon the back Of the llato but il the
s,rsot ,,.oj sity Of cases, were obliged 20 cut II
away for reasons before mentioned, 1t Is
true that Folsom did get It patented On hi,
statement that lac beiiccd it to be nov. He
probably did believe it at the time, but when
he " as in Vermont. trying to sell right, b. had
either discovered tAat it was not now, or 'lse
he had no faith in it himself, for when he came
into my office. and said be had a patent light
to sell, and asked him what it was, lie de
cliuud telling me. and refused to show me a
sample. laying, that i'll would first buy it, he
would then satisfy me thar It was a good thing.
A curious way TO sell patent rights, and of
coarse | declined. Finally upon my telling
him thatI had q ncw idea he offered to show
bis patent ii would tell him my way Of max
ing teeth. This did not care t. do; but he
sA1wed his patent, AND learned that il was
only an old thin, which DE- Gilbert had toid
she bout wears ago, willie was in his Office
and ONO great Impotence at that. So as 20
lis patent ii is probably not worth straw,
and as to lis "mcthod" It'll not worth much
more, though it may ocea sonally helpto make
up for impcricctions nl..eh may however be
Otherwise avoided,
Nan% Of our readers should happen near
"t any good successful dentist one "hos'
Judgment aud shIH can be relied uroh' VINO l..
using "I"4'on'' patent we W'rA "a, NouN
let as know, for we know ot no 7uch deAU'' III
Vermont or New Hampshire who have pur
chased it.
Aad while speaking Of new things or OF
things new and oid- VIII say TO the p"'I'
that layea method making plateau inn