The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-15

may be busy. and 1t is further true that extraction is the quickest and easiest solution of the difficulty. but privileges and rights involve duties and obligations, and in this case the dentists duty de- mands that he give that child the best and most intelligent service of which he is capable. If the permanent tooth has not already taken the place of the deeiduous and fl absorption of the roots of the latter has not occurred, extraction is not justifable and the dentist who per- forms 1t does not deserve the confidence which the patient places in him.
 The environments favorable to cases are the same in deciduous as in the per- manent teeth so far as We are able to judge. So the same prophyactlc meas ures are recognized as effective in the case of the latter should be employed in the case of the former. All parents de- sire that their children should have per feet permanent teeth but about one par ent in a hundred realize the importance of preserving the deciduous teeth until their mission is accomplished. Many mothers would gladly cooperate with us in the proper care of their chldrens teeth If we did our full duty in explain ing and emphasizing It's importance to them. This would require only a few minutes of our time and could be ac- complshed when they are having their own dental work done.
 These mothers give their little ones daily baths, keep them neatly and clean ly clothed, zealously washing their faces and hands when dirty, especially before meals and upon retiring, but all this time their little mouths are swarming with every variety of bacteria known to that locality. Pus is probably exuding from one or more fstulous openings and the fresh food Is mixed with that which lodges in the cavities and between the teeth yesterday or the day before. The filthy condition of the mouths of many little children Is appalling to the sight and far more to the olfactory nerve do not wonder that many of the first per manent molars decay before the decid- uous teeth are lost. The marvellous thing to me is that any of the teeth erupnng during this period and amid such sur roundings escape annihilation by the ever present microbes. If the protection of permanent teeth while erupting were the only inducement for filling the deeiduous ones 1t would be well worth our most able efforts.'
 Dr. Harrison in his article gives many reasons why the deciduous teeth should receive careful attention-to prevent ir- regularity of the permanent teeth. to re- tain the proper relation of the superior and inferior arches, which in many cases produce a deformity or give a weakness of expression to the face.
 He also admonishes the dentists to be careful in gaining the confidence of his little patients by always telling them the truth, and never deceiving them or de- stroying their confidence in him by tell ing them this or that will not hurt when he knows 1t will thereby causing the child to become afraid of a dentist, hat ing the very sight of a dentists office or dental appliances. Such a dread once established in the mind of a child often goes with 1t through life, and causes 1t not only to lose prematurely it's teeth. but causes a world of suffering as well. l would be glad if the entire article could be given. but time and space will not permit. However, I hope sufficient eX- tracts have been given for those who read It to give the matter some thought and cause them to look as carefully after the little fellows teeth as they do after their clothing and faces and hands.
 Respectfully.
 G. CHISHOLM.
 Rirninpham March