Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-04-25
THE FILLING OF TEETH
A Lively Discussion at the Meeting Of the
Dental Association.
1t In Participated In by . Number Of
the Members-The Program for
This Afternoon.

The union meeting of the Maryland State
Dental Association and the Washington
City Dental Society was continued this
morning in the big lecture room Of the Ma
tional Law School, on 18th street between
II and streets. The meeting was presided
over by DR.. w. E. Dieffenderfer, president
OF the local society, and the morning was
erlivened by a spirited discussion on one of
the most important matters connected with
the profession.
DR.. Rich of New York, one of the leading
dentists of the country, and one whom all
his associates delight to honor, made the
statement this morning that If all other
branches of the business were left out of
consideration, excepting the filing Of teeth
there would still be left by far the most I'm
portant part. So it was only natural that
when the subject of the best forms of
material for filling and the proper methods
of using them was preached that there
should be a discussion in which many of the
leading spirits Of the two associations took
part
Vast Difference of linton.
1t was not long before 1t was evident to
the outsiders. who are not familiar with the
subject, that there was a vast difference of
opinion among these authorities as to the
relative merits of the various substances
used in the plugging up holes in teeth
Many a person sitting in the operating
chair has reached the idea that there were
various ways Of filling teeth that were not
to their liking. Just why this was they did
not know, of course, for there are some
people who do not enjoy the sensation Of
having hammer, a mallet and a driving
wheel at work all at the2same time in their
mouths. 1t appeared this morning that 1t
all comes about through a disagreement
among the doctors as to whether cohesive
or non-cohesive gold, soft gold as 1t is some
times called, is better for the purpose.
Over DIR. Hugo's Paper.
The discussion came up over the consid-
GRAFTON Of a paper presented last evening
by DIR. l.. c. F. Hugo on the subject Of
soft gold filings. Dr. Hugo is not restrict
ed to the use of this one form Of gold. but
Is rather an eclectic, doing whatever he
considers the best in each particular case.
In his paper, however. he referred to the
success that had attended the use of soft
gold, and 1t was evident at once that not
all of those present sided with him in the
matter. This morning the paper was taken
up for consideration and was discussed at
some length by DIR. R. f. Hunt, DIR. Rich.
DIR. Thompson, DIR. H. Il. Noble, DIR. III. w.
Lakin, Dr. Watkins, Dr. Cockerille and DR..
Hugo. The discussion was naturally a deep
and technical one. At Its conclusion the
report of the committee on operative dem
tistry and surgery slas presented by DIR.
Thomas H. Davy OF Baltimore and DR..
Lakin.
The remainder Of the program for the
morning included an essay on dental legis-
lation by DIR. A. w. Sweeney of this city,
and an address by DIR. w. G. A. Bonwill Of
Philadelphia.
The Afternoon Program.
At the afternoon session there Is to be q
report from the committee on anatomy,
physiology and histology by the chairman,
DR.. R. b. winder of Baltimore. and after
ward there is to be a clinic conducted by
DIR. Charles A. Meeker of Newark, N. J.,
who is prepared to exhibit to the societies
method of bleaching the blacklist and
worst cases of dead teeth that any member
can bring to him.
Many prominent dentists from various
sections of the country are present as in
vited guests of the two societies. Among
these are Drs. Charles A. Meeker, Newark,
n. j.; V. H. jackson, New York; S. G. Wat
kins. Montclair N. j.; A. Lee Pennel, Lees
burg, Va; Harvey Iredell New Brunswick,
N. J.; s. j. Cockerille of Washington; F..
c. Barlow, Jersey City. n. j.; C. S. Case.
Chicago, ILL.,; c. l.. Goddard, San Francisco;
Charles +. Holbrook, Newark, N. j.; Oscar
Adeburg. Elizabeth, n. j.; Alonzo Boice
ard l.. Ashley Taught of Philadelphia.
The meeting will conclude this evening
with banquet, at which DR.. NJ. w. Foster
of Baltimore will preside.