The Portland daily press., 1870-11-04
DAILY PRESS.
ND
Friday Morning, November 4, 1870.

For the Press:
Dangerous Dentisfry-again.
Your issue of the 18th ult. contains short
communication from me on the subject of red
rubber, an article now in common use for
dentures. showed that it contains SO per
cent bsulphuret of mercury-cinnabar, solu-
BILE by the action of of the injesta, and the Sc
cretions of the mouth; also that it often made
the mouth sore, a fact well known to Dem
lists, many of whom object to its use. The
Dental Cosmos of Sept. last, will sustain all
these positions. Leaving the consideration of
OF its action on the mouth, to Dentists, to
whom of right it chiefly belongs, 1 called at
tention to its constitutional effects, which
clearly belong to the domain of the Physi-
clan. Fears seem to be entertained that
should the truth ofmy statement be admitted,
the.vocation of the Dentist will be gone; Or,
the poor cannot be supplied with dentures
on favorable terms. Such results should be
deplored. Long before the introduction of
red vulcanite, American Dentists, by their
culture and skill had placed themselves at the
head of their professions, and this deserved
pre-eminence, will not be lost should this
poisonous article be rejected. 1 am informed
by an eminent dentist in this city, that when
this red vulcanite was introduced, its compo-
sition was kept secret, and that from the
high price of gold at that time, it was in gen.
eral use, before the dentists learned that it
contained largeiper cent Of mercury.
latt hui
bert & Co., manufacturers of vulcanites, will
show, that better article, and one quite as
cheap can be used sour black dental rub
ber is entirely free from mercury, and conse.
quently pure, and the healthiest. 1t does not
break, while all around the red rubber plates
are constantly breaking"
Here, then, is an article at hand every way
superior to red vulcanite. There can be no
more objection to it on account of its color,
than there is to the color of gold plate, the
best article in use.
The constitutional effects of red rubber
enumerated by me are well known to physi-
clans to be such as are caused by mercury.
Every symptom named know to be truly
chargable to the use of red vulcanite.
The truthfulness of my statements in re-
spect to memory may be ascertained by con-
sulting works on the Materia Medica, Christi
son on Poison, and Deane's Medical Juris-
prudence. These works will show that many
more symptoms are caused by the abuse of
this metal than those which enumerated.
1t is cumulative in its nature-not eliminated
from the system, like most other medicines.
Whenever salt of mercury is taken, it is
quickly reduced to its original metallic condi-
ton, and is then packed away, in every organ
and tissue of the body, the bones even, not
escaping, causing caries-"Necrosis" These
facts are are accepted by the best writer's on
this article. ~ ea.. a-.
will not retort the language OF Portland
| dentist, by saying he would render himself
profoundly ridiculous" by denying the truth
of my statements, but will say, he would
thereby show great want of knowledge of the
| subject under discussion. -
The logical connection between red vulcan
lite and Homeopathy, is not clearly seen. 1t is
admitted, however, to be as evident, as some
other statements in that strange rejoinder 10
my article. Such ruse to divert attention
from the dangerous effects of red rubber, will
not tsubserve the purposes of its author.
Since the publication of my short article a
number of cases of suffering, and impaired
health, caused by the use of these plates, have
come to my knowledge; establishing the cor
rectness OF every symptom caused by red rub.
ber, named by me. They had been subjected
to various modes of treatment but were not
cured, as the cause was continually acting,
and in accordance with the general truth of
the proposition "Whatever increases the cause
increases the effect" they never will have
health, till these red rubber plates are re
moved 1lo .s lea .r' l8
As my health permits, should it be deemed
expedient, propose to give some attention tt
the last part of hisarticle, butt am remind
ed that this question is decided already, for
nametess Portland dentist, declares it is 6.
principle, contradicted by every rationa
thought, and word, and deed, throughout til,
| world" .,.s .lt..i.@.
That's enough. Still, properly administer
ed, ipecac cures nausea; mercury, rheubarb
and aloes, cure diarrheas; belladonna, pain
in the head; and Tactic acid, acid stomach; SO
peryerse p are the laws of nature.
=a2 s" ha''. sA E. CLARK, NJ. d.
l PORTLAND. Nov. 1.