St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1889-03-28
VERMONT DENTISTS.
Eleventh Annual Meeting. - Business
Done, Papers Read, Officers Elected

dental society was held at Montpe-
lier last week with over so profes-
sionals in attendance. Papers were
read by Doctors Davis of Concord,
n. H., Swift of Manchester, Lewis of
Burlington and Baker of Boston
The annual address was given by
President Warner of St. .Johnsbury
Dr. Van Vert of Brooklyn made an
exhibition of setting gold tips.
DR.. Chase of Bethel explained a diff
fcult operation performed by him
selfin removing the decayed portion
of a jawbone, and the successful re-
covery of the patient. Resolutions
were adopted condemning travelling
dentists and quacks. Charges were
preferred against DR.. Alfred Clark of
Montpelier for using unprofessional
methods in extracting teeth, and ac-
tiOn in the matter is to be taken at
the next annual meeting. c. T..
Clark of SaXton's River, George F.
Phillips of Rutland, Lorenzo Varney
of Windsor, w. F. Mann of West
Dover and A. L. Wheeler of Wood
stock have passed the examining
board and are now considered den
fists. These officers were elected for
the next year,
President, w. H. Spencer, Poult-
ney first vice, G. w. Hoffman, White
River Junction; second, w. S. Curtis,
West Randolph secretary, T. M ound,
Rutland; treasurer, w. H. Munsell,
Wells River; executive committee,
George F. Cheney, ST. Johnsbury; A.
]. Parker, Bellows Falls; c. F. Tink-
er, ST. Johnsbury. Bellows Falls was
fixed upon as the place for holding
the next annual convention.
Following is the address of the re-
tiring president, DR.. r. w. Warner of
this place.
Gentlemen of the Vermont State
Dental society. greeting The ed1ct
has gone forth that the retiring pre-
siding officer shall deliver an address.
The law, like that of the Medes and
Persians, is Interchangeable. There
fore | am before you, and will en-
deavor to comply in as brief a man
ner as possible and not consume time
that rightfully belongs to others. 1t
has been my privilege, with two ex-
ceptions, to be present at every
meeting of this society since it was
OF ganized, in March, 1877. At that
time the dentists of this state were
called together by DIR. Baker, then of
Woodstock, to whom we are largely
for his untiring zeal in
pressing upon the minds of the pro-
fession the Importance of an organi-
zation. Amid many discourage
ments and single handed, with the
perseverance and patience for which
dentists are noted, a permanent or
ganization was established. l be
lieve | simply echo the sentiment OF
this society in thanking DR.. Baker
for his untiring perseverance and
success, where there had been a pre-
vious failure.
Since the organization of this So
cietv, rs dentists of this state have
enrolled their names as cooperating
with us, also quite number from
other states are honorary members,
who have heard the Macedonian
cry, Come over and helpus; :" whose
presence we fully appreciate. On the
coat of arms of this state we have
this motto, Freedom and Unity"
These are essential elements to pro-
gression, and when applied to pro-
fessional life it means freedom of
thought to explore new fields, and
unity makes all discoveries the prop
ertv of the whole body. These ele-
ments are the soul of professional
association, out of which may be de
veloped a high grade of professional
To the associate influence
of this society we are largely indebt-
ed for the rapid progress made in
professional skill and intellectual cul-
ture which none can doubt who are
with its inner workings.
1t is essential that our meetings
should be instructive and practical.
Our annual meetings should be a pro-
feSsional exchange of modes and
means in practice by which we pro-
gress in our profession. Opportunl-
ties are invaluable to all, and none
can afford to neglect these annual
gatherings. 1t is in these meetings
that we can compare notes and Sc
lect and incorporate into our prac-
tice that which has proved the most
successful in the practice of others.
The most efficient means of elevating
the status of our society is to educate
and elevate ourselves. | think it is
safe to say that every member here
has at least one good idea or some
little device that has helped to make
his operations more successful and
less laborious. Interchange of
thought and modes of practice stim-
ulate activity and lead to new and
better methods. Give and it shall
be given is the immutable law of
progression in nature, science and re-
ligion He that is Indifferent to OBJ
tainingi knowledge and miserly in
giving is sure to get left. He who
professional kno nowledgefor
selfish ends is unworthy of his call
ing. The time is passed when pro-
fessional men are honored in with
holding from their professional breth
rem new discoveries that are inciden-
tai to daily practice. There is no
royal road to success; the way is
open to all, and plenty of room at
the top.
We should be one in interest to ele
vate the profession by intellectual
culture and gentlemanly department
and professional skill that will COM
mand the respect of the public. In
we are encouraged in our
professional duties as we meet from
time to time and grasp the friendly
hand and look into the honest faces
1 l.