The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-04-25
DR.. Eggleston Defends
New Dental Laws
Chairman of Association 5 Legislative Committee
Replies to Recent Address of
Dr. Stuart Mcclure

Sir,The attention of the committee of Virginia
State Dental Association for legislation. having been
published account OF an address delivered
by DR.. Stuart Mcclure arraigning the law which
makes dentistry a regular legal specially of med,
cine. deem it our duty to the misleading
tendencies OF the reported uterances of DR. Mcclure
DR.. McGuires utterances If he Is correctly quoted,
did accurately portray the truth the whole truth
and nothing but the truth; indeed. 1t might almost
be said that the statements printed diametri
cally opposed to the facts AS to what these facts
are. anybody can have them at first hand and verify
them for themselves by reading the law, consulting
the faculty OF the Medicine College of Virginia by
consulting either the members OF the recent General
Assembly or the members of the Virginia State Dental
Associations committee for legislation.
II we had not known differently, the most natur',
inference would have been that DR.. Mcclure was, or
u.s. grossly ignorant of the true situation; but he Is
quite we'll informed every phase of the situa-
ton as the members themselves OF the above named
institutions.
defense of the Virginia State Dental Association.
and incidentally though not officially in vndication
of institutions which supported and enacted this
measure into law. offer the following statement:
AS Is broadly known. modern dentistry has as
sumed important position most useful spe-
both medicine and surgery the most essential parts
of his daily duty he injections of cocaine. and
such deadly drugs strychnine. morphine and the
coal-tar preparations. among many others. Then he
assesses remove dead portions OF the maxillary
bones, which are not uncommon In his practice. as
The result of arsencal poisoning and other causes
He Is compelled administer anaesthetcs and to
perform various surgical operations about the mouth
titioner of this specially is extremely to trans
nit. from one patient to another, most loathsome
{
first to recognize adenoids and enlarged tonsis
children by virtue the fact that he Is constantly
looking into their mouths and Threats. The ability
of this specially cooperate and affiliate with other
branches of medicine is indispensable to human health
and happiness.
The State association which includes nne-tenths
of the foremost practitioners in Virginia asked the
General Assembly for legal recognition and, in wis
DOM they the hygienic public necessity, and
granted it. The question has been raised by certain
opponents OF this measure to how to edu-
cate these dental specialists To this the only re-
Spouse needed Is, by similar methods to those In
| he edu of a
Dr. George Ben Johnston. of the broadcast and
most useful citizens of the commonwealth. truly
great went before the Legislature and told the
representatives of the people that the public health
demanded this recognition The only motive which
! opposition Is what may be termed purely COM
mercal interest they It, OF certain educational
institutions. They desire to matricuate men too ig
norant to enter the study specialists charge
them more tuition and turn them out in shorter
time. Furthermore this presents itself to
pertinent question: Who should judge Of the educa-
tional need Of a great specially, the who
stitute that speciality single individual who Is
engaged in the practice OF another specialtyg
AS said before. we do not charge DR.. Mcguire with
the language printed in afternoon paper but that
language not only fays the Virginia State Dental As
ISOLATION, but applying II does to the law itself
the Wtuperaton includes the Medical College of vir-
governor well. Now. is it not more likely that this
contemplate term ass could be fttingy ap-
piled without including such an aggregation of dis
tnguished personages.
The new law is a great benefit and safeguard to
the public and we ask its moral support. The in
terests of the students have been carefully pro-
do with it's making do not think needs serious
refutation Keep calm. all who perturbed. give
years to demonstrate the merits OF this
(signed) EDWARD EGGLEsroN,
Chairman Committee Legislation. Virginia state
Dental Association