Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1911-12-27
FOR MORE DENTAL SURGEONS.
Increase Needed at Naval Academy
COmmendatorY Work Of DR.. Grady
Single Handed-EntitIed to
Favorable Consideration.

In the report from the Committee on
Naval Affairs presented to the Senate
last week to authorize the appoint
ment Of dental surgeons in the Uni
ted States Navy, there is included the
views and recommendations of the
Secretary Of the,Navy, and some words
respecting the dentist at the Naval
Academy, as follows:
Since the appointment of DIR. Richard
Grady to this office in November,
1899, after passing a competitive ex-
animation with distinction, the de-
mands upon his professional services
have increased enormously by virtue
of the growth of the institution, vet
throughout the succeeding years of his
service he has devoted himself indefat-
gably and zealously to his duties,
performing them single handed and,
in spite of exhausting hours, accord
ing TO the highest standard of eff
cheney.
More over, the system of keeping
Individual dental records and the in
struction of the midshipmen in the
care of, the mouth and teeth, especially
in preventive measures, have greatly
augmented his work In addition, he
has contributed an important part in
the course of instruction at the Naval
Medical School, delivering a series of
lectures on dental emergencies, be-
fore the annual class of student off,
GERS. for their guidance in the man
agement of such dental diseases as
may come under their care on board
ship and at isolated stations.
Whether or not Congress ultimately
authorizes the appointment of dental
surgeons in the Navy, there will al
ways be need for an acquaintance
with dental emergency work on the
part of medical officers, and thus
much may be done toward giving
temporary relief. All these various
duties have been faithfully and con-
scientously performed without COM
plant as to the work, but for the past
few years he has contended, on the
ground of justice, and has the support
of others in the contention, for an in
crease of pay commensurate with the
extent and character of his profess
sional services. They have been and
are of great value to the service. He
is eminently deserving of and entitled
to the favorable cosideration of Con-
gress on the sole account of the work
attached to the office, but when the
matter is considered in relation to the
compensation for similar work at the
Military Academy, the necessity for
relief becomes more apparent.
The work iS continuous practiraliv
throughout the year and has increased
so greatly that to keep the teeth of
the midshipmen in proper condition
not to mention other duties-requires
a degree of labor and time beyond
the endurance of a single Individual
to accomplish. The department has
been made acquainted with the de-
tailed facts in the case through official
correspondence. The bureau believes
that the incumbent of this office should
not be made the subject of indepen-
dent legislation, but should be looked
upon as a prospective member of the
contemplated body of naval dental
surgeons. with the allowance for
age, length of service, and tried
ability, and it is recommended that
the bill in question be amended by
clause to this effect.
With the exception of this single
case, the large amount of dental
work which he is required through
out the naval service is being done
under unsatisfactory conditions and
even then only in small part by en-
listed men of the Hospital Corps.