New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-03-19

on ORA II So As RI Xs
LEY N. d. s. Svo, up. Sal. New-York.
The present volume by distinguished prac-
titioDcr dental surgery and its allied branches affords
comprehensive view not only Of the diseases of the
teeth and approved modes OF their treatment,
but OF the various disorders incident 10 the human
mouth and face general, for which the remedy is TO
be sought In surgical experience and skill IL Is not IN
tended Tor work OF popular reference the care OF
the teeth and the cultivation OF the voice. but for pro-
fesona manual in those departments OF practice, to
which purpose II is admirably adapted by the cearness
of details the funess of it's Illustrations and Its
juclous selection of for the exposition OF prnci
pies Dr. Kingsley regards the profession of dentistry
from the highest point of vew treating it not merely
as series OF mechanical processes but eleyatng
1t to the dignity OF fine art. His chapters on the
lEsihetics OF Dentistry" abound in original sngges-
lions, and challenges the interest Of the student Of
physiology in connection with the laws Of human OK
preston. Theoretically considered, he remarks, dem
tstry science and art Practically, il has held
the place OF empricism instead OF science, ana OF
chanism instead Of Still IL has established its claims
10 tie character OF science by its accurate researches
and its organized system Of practice but as an art Gu
titled to rank Of the fac arts, 1t has found few
advocates and fewer practitioners Artistic dentistry,
with rare EXCEPTIONS has risen TO anything above
mechanical dentistry aud the term by which II Is
known Is used as term OF reJrOach. IL is question.
the author arms whether the art OF dentistry apart
from some methods Of operating on the natural
teeth, has made any advance within tie last
ten years. The operative department has been
raised TO the supreme place. and the ideal elements kept
in Inc background. But is Doubt, DE-. Kings
lev maintains that these elements admit OF hig1 dc
gree Of development, taking rank with sculpture
and other branches of fine arr, and appealing In GER
tain degree, TO the sentiments and emotions.
With the ancient Greeks. every work when exmDited
skill was considered "a q work OF art At the present
day the term art in widest Specification IL applied
10 every skfu intellectual or physical performance.
In this sense music, poetry painting, sculpture ar
chiecure, dancing oratory, medicine. surgery, are
equally In this broad sense every operation In
dentistry is art Bur the arts have multiplied,
terms Of distinction fine arts and mechanical arts,
have become necessary. All that ministers 10 the
thetic sense belongs to the fine arts, all that con-
tributes to utility classed mechanic art The
mechanic may quire skin for their in
yenon and development but the individual works de-
ard but little effort the mind for their reproduc
fon They may be directly OF more practical value to
mankind but they make no appeal to the finer emo
tops The ideal the contrary. serve TO crafty
the imagination This distinction in the view OF the
auhor applies TO the practice Of dentistry II might be
possble for instance 10 make an artificial work out OF
cast iron which would all the purposes OF con-
ycnence and utility but without element OF dental
ART in its ucton II wOuld be purely mechanical
pcrformapee and come under the head Of dental me
ehapics But IN the most common operation IN dental
p,octice there is required according TO the author
talent greater than that exercised by the sculptor Ia the
,sme limited locality Every tooth has It's charac
nr and expression not only in harmony with every