Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1893-09-13
1ireiuia free gress.
". VI. b. GALLAHER, Editor.
tariesto,O,.. Jefferson County, West Va
September 10. 1898.
Dentistry tn ancient Days.


The utility and importance of the teeth
has been known since the advent of man
on this planet. While no specific data
can be obtained as to the origin of den-
tistry, we know it was practiced among
the Egyptians at very early age
Herodotus 600 B. c. in writing of his
travels through Egypt, at that time one
of the greatest and most civilized coun-
tries in the world, mentions the division
of medicine in that kingdom into special
branches, and existence Of physicians,
each of whom applies himself to one dis
ease only and not more. "Some (physl-
ciars) are only for the eyes, others for the
head, Others for the teeth, and others for
internal disorders" 1t is thought by
the North american Rerie'c that the
Egyptians and Etruscans were farther
advanced in the art of dentistry than any
other people in that early period, ior
teeth filled with gold have been found in
the mouths of mummies, indicating their
advanced ideas. These people were the
first to supply artificial substitutes in the
mouth. Belzoni and others have found
artificial teeth made Of sycamore wood IN
ancient sarcophagi. The mode of fasten'
ing was by ligatures or bands of cord OIL
gold wire, tying the substitute to its nat
ural neighbors. In 1855 some specimen:
of prehistoric dentistry were brought tc
this country by an English dentist from
Liverpool. One was a gold plate with
several human teeth attached. The spec
linens were found in an Etruscan tomb
The plate was ingeniously made and
was surprised to see gold used for a base
by such an ancient people. Archaeolog
ical research may yet reveal things thai
will teach this generation. We modify
but must not fatter ourselves that We
originate all there is in dental art. An
cient Greece is renowned as the nursery
of modern medicine" Hippocrates made
special study of the teeth. Aristotle
900 B. CO. also wrote extensively about
them. Several Greek dental operators
are mentioned as early as 300 B. c.
"Did | understand We to read tha'
there was up'ards O two hundred an
forty thousand folks at that Chicago show
in one day, Ezry?" inquired Uncle To
bias Slocum of his son.
"Them was the fggers," responded
Ezra, solemnly.
can there want no crowd, even then,
asked Uncle Tobias, after a pause.
mo crowd anywher's," said Ezra.
There was long silence, broken only
by the futtering of the newspaper II
Ezry's hand as the breeze blew in at th'
window.
"Well," said Uncle Tobias, at last
drawing long breath:
81 amt prepared TO doubt the paper
an know they We got powerful lot
land set apart fer that show, but it doe
appear to me hat if I'd ben on hanc
along with them two hundred an fort.
thousand folks / sh'd bave calculates
that there'd be here an there man p
Youths Companion.
Country editors wife-How happy yo
seem tonight Edward Have you bad an
good luck to-day.
Country editor-Weli, | should say haC
J You can have that silk dress now.
"What has happened ?"
Farmer Hendricks, who hasn't paid lc
his paper for seven years, came iu to-da
and stopped his subscription"