The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1918-12-06
MODERN DENTISTRY AN
AMERICAN PRODUCT
A Paper Read Before the Rotary Club
OF Albuquerque, Thursday, Dec. s.
BY DIR. EDMUND j. ALGER
art Of dentistry is very old. IL
~ mentioned ~ the oldest literal

THE art of dentistry is very old, IL
Is mentioned ~ the oldest litcra-
turc. and We lind practical cNi
dcncc OF ~ In excavations of n most
ancient RUNS. Mo people seem to
mink that ~ Is siiil Older than this
would indicate ns We often hear II re-
fcrrcd TO as the invention of the
devil"
In speaking OF modern dentistry I
shall discuss two phgscs: First. syB-
tematic infection due To septic teeth.
and, second, prevention OF septic
teeth.
Dentistry as 1t ~ generally known.
~ decidedly AN American product and
at the last century. The oldest dental
college IN the world being the iiaiti-
more college. VAS founded eighty
years ago You will find the sign
American DENTS in all parts OF the
world. The dentists OF this countrN
being recognized as leaders IN the
profession. and a diploma from our
schools iH greatly desired bN an for
eign dental students. American dem
tistry has made It's great reputation
by tho ability OF It's followers TO save
practically al teeth. and on tho very
elaborate aNgtom OF own and
bridges for substitutes. By an olabor-
ate system OF treatments. root Filings.
spints, etc, We nave succeeded In SAY
ing even dilapidatcd teeth. and We
prided ourselves that We had added
TO the PATENTS health and happiness
w added to his happiness I hclioNe.
but ! am equally certain va dtd not
improve his health.
Moro thuu ten years ago Dr. Hun
ter. an English surgoou 10 n very
sCdthing ciiticiJm of what he dubbed
septic dentistry started a revolt
ton In u methods of work. lie
60. NIHN aAsaaH 80 III .au-.a Al.
eases were caused by an Infection
from the bacteria of diseased or septic
teeth. Tho wonder m that this danger
was not recognized earlier. hut DR.
hunters article seemed To prtciplt1tr
matters ~ inc then IN" research
laboratories of dentistry and %; medt-
cine have proved conclusiVoly that q
great proportion of all the diseases Of
the body are due 10 an infection
through the circulation from the bac-
terra % their by -products found In
the teeth and tonsils. Medicine for
nam Years has recognized the evils Of
aufo-lntuNicuton or the systematic
poisoning due TO docayed matter in
the lower bowel. but physicians as
well as dentists nave overlooked the
dangers from the poisOns found In the
mouth nose and throni. Many OF
the most eminent physicians are most
pronounced In their warnings OF the
dangers due 60 diseased teeth. lnsur-
ance companies ARE beginning 10 axe
a Rrcat interest ia is hearing ON their
expectancy tables. Corporntions
are Installing dentists IN their factories
and stores.
Dr. JudHon Doland of the medical
department OF the University Of Penn
sylVania. says "A primary focus Of
infection may he anywhere but In gen.
orally found IN the cavities of the
head, the teeth and the gums heinW
the most frequent seat after forty
years of age. Focal infection from the
teeth or gums may cause slight. sori-
Gus or fatal disease OF almost any tis-
sue or organ OF the body"
Potter of Columbia university. In
the New York Medical journal OF
February 10. 1917. gives a list Of thir.
~ % n different diseases 20 which
dental sopsis contributes.
The Mayo clinic contends that 90
per cent OF all diseases start above the
shoulders; hat is. that infection gains
entrance through the SUI.
face IN the mucous membranes of the
nose, throat aud mouth. OF. the bac.
terra that dey.iop around this part ~
the body are CARVED by the blood or
lymph stream To Dthcf organs aud
a secondary Infection.