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DENTAL REFORM. 
 
PRINTED BY BALLANTYNE, HANSON AND CO- 
 EDINBURGH AND LONDON. 
 
THE HISTORY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE REFORM MOYEMENT 
 
 IN 
 
 THE DENTAL PEOFESSIOX 
 
 m GREAT BRITAIN 
 
 DURING THE LAST TWENTY YEARS. 
 
 BY 
 
 ALFEED HILL, 
 
 LICENTIATE IN DENTAL SURGERY OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF SUKGEONS OK EN'GLAXD ; 
 
 DENTAL SURGEON TO THE DENTAL HOSPITAL OF LONDON ; 
 
 AND LATE HONORARY SECRETARY TO THE MANAGING AND MEDICAL COMMITTEES 
 
 OF THAT INSTITUTION. 
 
 LONDON: 
 TRUBNER k CO., LUDGATE HILL. 
 
 1877. 
 
 \All rigliU rticrvcd.l 
 

 6^4' 
 
 ~^^^'\ 
 
 w 
 
 5^ 
 
TO 
 
 EVERY LICENTIATE IN DENTAL SUEGERY, 
 
 OF THE 
 
 EOYAL COLLEGE OF SUEGEONS OF ENGLAND, 
 
 HONOURABLY PEACTISING HIS USEFUL PROFESSION, 
 
 Cljis moxk 
 
 IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED 
 BY 
 
 THE AUTHOR 
 
Digitized by tine Internet Arciiive 
 
 in 2010 witii funding from 
 Columbia University Libraries 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/historyofreformmOOhill 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 The reasons whicli induced me to write this work were 
 various. The principal one was a keen sense of justice 
 due to those whose long- sustained labours were pre- 
 eminently the cause, the effect of which is the present 
 organised and improved condition of the dental pro- 
 fession. During the twenty years which have elapsed 
 since the first real movement in the direction of reform 
 took place, many of the most influential and energetic 
 men have been removed from our midst by the stern 
 hand of death. It appeared to me an injustice to their 
 memory to allow their names and their self-sacrificing 
 endeavours to pass quietly into forgetfulness. We all 
 owe them the tribute of acknowledgment and remem- 
 brance, and I conceived the present method to be, at 
 the least, appropriate. Not only to those who have 
 departed, but also to those who, happily, are still 
 with us, is this simple record of their work and its 
 successful result, due. 
 
 Moreover, it seemed to me very desirable that those 
 who are so manifestly reaping the many solid and in- 
 
X PREFACE. 
 
 valuable benefits, which are the outcome of what has 
 been accomplished, should be not only made acquainted 
 mth the names of their benefactors, but have placed 
 before them an outline of the way in which the many 
 obstacles in the path of dental reform had been, one 
 after the other, removed or surmounted. When the 
 younger members of the profession learn what the con- 
 dition of things actually was so short a time since, they 
 will be naturally led to rejoice in their enfranchisement 
 from so many of the disadvantages and disagreeables to 
 which their predecessors had to submit. Also, by com- 
 paring what has been with what is, I am inclined to 
 believe that they will more fully appreciate their present 
 CKCumstances by a just estimation of the heritage thus 
 handed to them, and seek by honourable conduct and 
 scientific and practical attainments to uphold the dignity, 
 and promote the further advance, of dental surgery in 
 this country. 
 
 Another reason for the course I have taken arose from 
 the fact that I had been closely associated with those 
 who had so energetically worked for dental reform, 
 and had fought, in turn, on both sides of the field. 
 From this cause, and having held official positions in 
 the College of Dentists of England, the Odontological 
 Society, and the Dental Hospital of London, I was 
 drawn into intimacy with the various movements as 
 they took place, and with the leaders and influential 
 members of the profession, as such, from the commence- 
 ment to the present time. 
 
PREFACE. XI 
 
 I am indebted to several gentlemen for assistance 
 offered, and, in some cases, very kindly rendered. It is 
 but just to Mr. Tomes to say bere tbat, nearly simul- 
 taneously witb my publisbed intention to write tbis 
 book, be bad determined to issue a similar notice of tbe 
 work accomplisbed for tbe dentists of tbis country. On 
 learning my intentions be very generously abstained 
 from doing any more, and banded over to me, for my 
 own use, tbe manuscript be bad already prepared, to- 
 getber witb documents of value. IVIr. E. Hepburn 
 kindly furnisbed me witb copious records of tbe pro- 
 ceedings of tbe College of Dentists, wbicb be bad 
 carefully preserved, and for wbicb, witb many otber 
 contributions, I bave to tbank bim. To Mr. Eymer, 
 also, for similar generous assistance I am indebted. 
 I^or can I omit tbe name of Mr. Tbomas Arnold Eogers, 
 wbo from tbe first bas been ever anxious to render me 
 every service. 
 
 I bave to tbank tbe council of tbe Odontological 
 Society for permission granted me to searcb tbe records 
 of tbeir proceedings : but for tbe restrictions witb 
 wbicb tbe permission was encumbered, I sbould bave 
 cbeerfuUy availed myself of tbe opportunity tbus given. 
 Tbe managing committee and also tbe medical com- 
 mittee of tbe Dental Hospital of London freely offered 
 me tbe use of tbeir books, and I bereby return tbem 
 my tbanks for tbe privilege accorded. 
 
 Tbe following pages bave been written witb tbe in- 
 tention of gatbering togetber sucb facts as would consti- 
 
XU PREFACE. 
 
 tute a reliable history of the struggle for improvement, 
 which has taken place, since the year 1856, in the 
 dental profession, and the record virtually terminates 
 with the removal of the Dental Hospital of London to 
 its present site. I have not thought it advisable to 
 enter into the relation of events which have occurred 
 subsequently, such as what is known as "The Man- 
 chester Movement," &c., &c., leaving them for another 
 and abler pen to describe at a future time. The style 
 I have adopted is the simplest, believing such will more 
 readily commend itself to most readers. 
 
 In conclusion, I may add, that it has afforded me the 
 greatest satisfaction to have been permitted to contri- 
 bute, in my limited degree, to the general welfare of my 
 profession throughout the whole period here described^ 
 I have been honoured by the friendship of the chiefest 
 and the best in our ranks, while in the humble work 
 itself which I have done I have ever found a complete 
 and abundant reward. 
 
 London, 1876. ' 
 
CONTEXTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Dentistry a geBeration since — Scarcity of scientific practitioners — 
 "WTiolesale extraction of teeth — Dentifrices and their purveyors 
 — Opportunities for the unscrupulous and ill-informed — Books 
 and book-makers — Pamphlets and pamphleteers — Their real 
 object and results i 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Mr. Waite's appeal in 1841 — Absence of results — Tlie Medical Bill 
 of 1843— Movement amons; dental practitioners in London 
 thereon — Their plan for reform of the profession — Steps taken 
 to effect it— Modification of views — Disunion and disappoint- 
 ment — Final abandonment of the scheme ..... 17 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Period of apathy and inaction— Effects upon students generally — 
 ]\Ir. Tomes' work on Dental Physiology and Surgery — First 
 symptoms of reform — Mr. Eymer's letter to the " Lancet " — 
 Its effects — Announcement of a public meeting of the profes- 
 sion, to be convened by Mr. Eymer — Gathering of dentists at 
 the London Tavern — Proposal to found a Dental Institute — 
 Dawning of difficulties — The memorial to the Eoyal College of 
 Surgeons — Effect uj)on the profession generally — Mr. Clendon, 
 and his opinions — Formation of the Odontological Society of 
 London — Second public meeting of dentists — Third public 
 , meeting of the profession — Formation of the College of Den- 
 tists of England— Mr. Samuel Cartwright, first president of 
 the Odontological Society — Mr. James Eobinson, first president 
 of the College of Dentists of England — Two ways to one goal . 32 
 
XIV CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 The j^ears 1856-57—" The British Journal of Dental Science " — 
 Co-operation with the college scheme — Change of proprietor- 
 ship, and altered opinions — Proposed "Quarterly Journal of 
 Dental Science " — The medical press and the college move- 
 ment — Antagonistic journalism — The objects of the Odonto- 
 logical Society— Statement by the president, 1857 — Increased 
 energy of the college party — Introduction of Medical Bills into 
 Parliament— Notice to the profession thereupon by the College 
 of Dentists — Features of the year — Diminution of party feel- 
 ing — Mr. E. Reid and mediation — Meeting of Mr. Tomes and 
 Mr. Underwood — Impression on the profession thereby . . 75 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Messrs. Tomes and Underwood as delegates — Propositions for 
 amalgamation of opposing societies — Appointment of more 
 delegates — Terms of union arrived at — Mr, Rogers and Mr. 
 Robinson at the first dinner of the Odontological Society — 
 Terms of amalgamation submitted to meeting of the College 
 of Dentists — Their rejection — Resignation of college officials — 
 Resolution of the Odontological Society— Law of vote by proxy 
 at the College of Dentists — Dissension at the college meeting 
 — Action of the Odontological Society — The College of Sur- 
 geons — Notice of the Bill of Mr. Headlam, M.P. — Petition of 
 Odontologists to College of Surgeons — Reply — Its effect on 
 the College of Dentist's party— Further memorialising by the 
 Odontological Society — Further replies — Proposed clause in 
 the Medical Bill — Secession of college members, and protest 
 by seceders — Counter-circular by Mr. Rymer— Proposed Den- 
 tal School and Hospital by the. Odontological Society— Organ- 
 isation of the Dental Hospital of London — Its opening — Criti- ^ 
 cism by the opposite party^-^Electricity in dental operations — "H^ 
 Committee of investigation appointed — Hopes of a charter for ' 
 College of Dentists — Medical legislation — Success of the Odon- 
 tological Society's memorial to the College of Surgeons . . in 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 New dental journal— Activity of the College of Dentists — Curricu- 
 lum for acceptance by the council of College of Surgeons — ^ 
 Opinion of the "Dental Review" — Violent party spirit — 
 Internal action of the College of Dentists — Fresh courage- 
 Amendment of college laws — American opinion — The Metro- 
 politan School of Dental Science organised by the College of 
 
CONTENTS. XV 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Dentists — The iuitials M.C.D.E.— Opening of the Metropoli- 
 tan School of Dental Science — Legal action taken by the Medi- 
 cal Eegistration Association — Opposition by the College of 
 Dentists — The entire profession addressed — Petition to the 
 House of Commons. Petition for a charter for the College of 
 Dentists — Increase of the Odontological Society — Determined 
 opposition of the two sections of the profession . . . 143 
 
 CHAPTER A' II. 
 
 Institution of Board of Examiners at Eoyal College of Surgeons, 
 i860 — Protest against the College of Dentists by the Odonto- 
 logical Society — Counter protest by the College of Dentists — 
 " The Lancet " — Other medical journals — Strife on the increase 
 — First examination of candidates for the licentiateship in 
 dental surgery — The London School of Dental Surgery insti- 
 tuted — Tenacity of the College of Dentists— Terms of mem- 
 bership with the Dental College — Education — Hope of success 
 and assertion of strength by the "Independents" — "The 
 Lancet " condemns the College of Dentists — Mr. Waite's reply ■ 
 — Inauguration of the National Dental Hospital— Mr. Makins' 
 work on ' ' Metallurgy " — Death of Mr. James Eobinson — Pre- 
 • sentation to Mr. Tomes — Dinner to foreign dentists — Longings 
 for the cessation of strife . . . . . . . .167 
 
 ^ 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 The College of Dentists and dissolution — Extinction of hope and 
 consequent action of Mr. Rymer— Overtures by the College of 
 Dentists on the subject of amalgamation to the Odontological 
 Society — Appointment of sub-committee — Eesult — Amalgama- 
 tion considered in full meeting of Odontological Society— The 
 "glorious minority of one" — Complete fusion — Eecognition 
 of Mr. Eymer's and Mr. Hockley's past labours — The Dental 
 Students' Society — Proposed method of dealing with adver'W^ 
 tisers — The late Mr. Lawrence's opinions — Proposed extension 
 of time to candidates for the licentiateship's degree— Petition 
 to the council of Medical Education and Eegistration — Eesult 
 — The licentiates and the " Medical Directory " — The Odonto- 
 Chirurgical Society of Edinburgh established— Professional 
 sympathy with Mr. Statham — Xitrous oxide— Committee of 
 investigation — Eeport thereon — Testimony concerning anaes- 
 thetics — Testimony of the profession to the claims of Mr. 
 Horace AY ells — College of Surgeons' concessions to licentiates 
 
XVI CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 — Proposal by Mr. Saunders tp remove tlie Dental Hospital — 
 Counter proposition by Mr. W. Asb— Result— Mr. T. A. 
 Eogers first Dean of tbe Dental Hospital of London— Address 
 to tbe students i9S 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Dental Reform in Edinburgb— Dr. Smitb and the Odonto-Cbirur- 
 gical Society — DiflEiculties and defections — Determination to 
 proceed— Result— Edinburgb Dental Dispensary— Feeble pro- 
 gress of tbe charity — Liverpool Dental Hospital — Its origina- 
 tor and first supporters — Progress— Increasing usefulness — 
 Plymouth Dental Dispensary— Tbe projectors and first workers 
 — Tbe value of tbe charity— Birmingham Dental Dispensary 
 — Its founder and tbe usefulness of tbe institution — Spread of 
 such centres of public and professional benefit — Prosj)ect of 
 recognition of all well-directed schools of dental surgery . 242 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Benefactors of tbe dental profession — Short notices of Mr. J. M. 
 Arnott— Mr. S. Cartwright— Mr. De Morgan— Mr. C. J. Fox 
 — Mr. W. A. Harrison— Mr. R. Hepburn — Mr. J. H. Parkin- 
 son — Mr. James Robinson — Mr. A. Rogers— Mr. S. L. Rymer 
 —Mr. E. Saunders— Mr. J. Tomes— Mr. T. Underwood— IMi-. 
 E. Sercombe — Mr. A. Coleman — Mr. Kempton — Mr. Hockley 
 Mr. T. A. Rogers— Mr. D. Hepburn— Mr. Newman— Mr. Par- 
 ker—Mr. S. Bate— Mr. Belfour— Mr. Trimmer . . .260 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Present position of tbe profession — Its recognition and status — 
 Dental literature — Journalism and professional demands — Pro- 
 fessional conduct— Method of manii^ulation — Recognition of 
 the importance of tbe dental profession by tbe medical practi- 
 tioners and the public— Spread of its influence — Education 
 — Registration — Conclusion 353 
 
 Appendix 385 
 
 Erratum 4°° 
 
HISTORY OF THE REFORM lis THE 
 DENTAL PROFESSIOK 
 
 CHAPTEE I. 
 
 A EETEOSPECT of dentistry as it existed some thirty 
 years ago in this country is by no means a pleasant 
 study. From such a standpoint there is very little to 
 encourage, and much which can only be looked upon 
 with a feeling, to say the least, of regret. That, how- 
 ever, which is uncongenial, or in direct opposition to 
 the tastes and inclinations of those concerned, has often 
 to be accepted and dealt with as a necessity by thenx 
 ^N'o picture is complete without its background ; and 
 although the sombre shading may prove to be the least 
 pleasant portion of the artist's work, the dashing and 
 effective high lights would lose their brilliancy with- 
 out it. So with the subject which will form the sub- 
 stance of the following pages. It is not only needful 
 but imperative that the dark background formed by the 
 ignorance, disorganisation, and empiricism of that epoch 
 should be mentioned, in order that the bright and clear 
 light of education, order, and progress, as they now exist, 
 may be more effectively seen and appreciated. Eeally, to 
 understand our present position legally, socially, and 
 professionally, we must know what we then were in 
 those respects. To value the advance made, we must 
 see and estimate our circumstances at the point of 
 
 A 
 
2 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 departure. Looking "back, then, to those days, it can- 
 not fail to be observed that the dental art was exercising 
 a fascinating power over the minds of many, and in- 
 ducing considerable numbers to attempt to practise it. 
 From the records available it could be easily seen that 
 large proportions of those dentists (?) were ignorant of 
 the merest rudiments of this branch of surgery, and 
 were totally dependent upon their unblusliing effrontery 
 playing its part upon the outside public for the measure 
 of success they hoped to attain. Nor were the men of 
 that day different from those who had preceded them — 
 that is, of course, those who were really ignorant. For 
 long years before, dentistry had apparently offered tempt- 
 ing facilities to uneducated individuals to practise it; and, 
 if we can trust the statements made by various writers 
 on the subject, its characteristic was that of being ham- 
 pered by the unprincipled and unscrupulous. It may 
 be safely affirmed that, at the time when this record com- 
 mences, the great bulk of dentists practising in the 
 United Kingdom, of whom there were some hundreds, 
 were, as a class, sadly lacking in scientific knowledge. 
 Scattered through the cities and towns of our land were 
 to be found those who evidently had no idea of what 
 a profession, as such, demanded at their hands. Many 
 had entered upon the practice of dentistry as a means of 
 obtaining a livelihood only, and had not hesitated to 
 combine with it a trade of some sort or other, in order 
 to secure a larger emxolument than dentistry, 'per se, 
 would bring to them. Others, again, had abandoned 
 their former calling for this one, under the impression 
 that it was an easy and simple thing to be a dentist. 
 The author has heard of those who had been milkmen, 
 watchmakers, &c., who had no scruple in posting the 
 words "surgeon-dentist " on their door-plates, in the hope 
 of making the passers-by believe they were what they thus 
 professed themselves to be. Advertisements were plenti- 
 ful, and the most wonderful announcements constantly 
 appeared in the daily press, setting forth the miraculous 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 3 
 
 ability and the fascinatingly low fees of these dental 
 magicians. Others, again, openly displayed their trades- 
 man-like principles by keeping shops for the exhibition 
 of anatomical preparations, casts of mouths, and metal- 
 gilt dentures, and in some cases wrote np their names 
 in decayed teeth. Sober-minded and really respectable 
 men, who hoped by honourable effort and proper j)i'o-- 
 fessional conduct to advance their position, felt it to be 
 a reproach when -called by the name of dentist. Origin- 
 ally drawn to this special branch of surgery by the 
 highest motives, they found that to practise it they 
 must be associated in the minds of the indiscriminating 
 with those whose character and conduct they indig- 
 nantly repudiated. "While the large majority of 
 practitioners, then, were to be ranked among the 
 partially educated or absolutely ignorant, still den- 
 tistry as a composite profession, one embracing both 
 science and art, was not without representative men. 
 In each of these departments were to be found names 
 which can never be mentioned without the respect that 
 real worth, high princijDles, and unsullied integrity, 
 coupled with skill, must ever command. Like lofty 
 peaks in a mountain range, they showed clear and 
 bright above others ; but they were the great and 
 glorious exceptions to those around them. At their 
 base lay the broad valley of emphicism, steeped and 
 bathed in the mists of io-norance, and claimincp recoor- 
 nition by the noise of its own impudent pretensions 
 alone. Here and there were to be seen those who 
 upon the smallest amount of information were prac- 
 tising as dentists, some, perhaps, well content to know 
 nothing more than the alphabet of their daily calling 
 so long as the result, in the direction of fees, proved 
 satisfactory; while others may have hoped to obtain 
 knowledge sufficient to enable them to rise to a level 
 above the unblushing rascality of so many among them. 
 Tooth-extraction in those days appears to have been 
 a principal source of revenue. Who has not heard of 
 
4 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN; 
 
 what we would fain hope was a legendary character' 
 after all, viz., the blacksmith who drew teeth for 
 sorrowful village urchins ? Barbers, for many years 
 preceding, had enjoyed the almost prescriptive right 
 to be considered dentists — that is, if extracting teeth 
 constitutes a man a dentist. But in the time to which 
 allusion is more particularly sought to be made, the 
 extraction of teeth had gradually been relegated to the 
 chemist, who perhaps might lay more claim to the 
 savoir faire than the barber or the blacksmith. That 
 this portion of dental practice largely obtained then 
 'there is no question or doubt whatever. The great 
 cure for the terrible pain arising from a carious tooth 
 was extraction. People flocked, especially the poor, 
 to the chemist for help and deliverance from torture, 
 and at a nominal cost to them he was prepared to 
 operate. Wardroper in his work on tooth-drawing 
 (1838) informs us in a foot-note (page 9) of this custom 
 thus : " As a proof of the prevalence of tooth-drawing, I 
 know a chemist in a large country town, who some 
 time ago assured me that he received £200 a year from 
 drawing teeth at one shilling each. On examining 
 these teeth — the greater part of which he had preserved 
 — I found none of the fangs in the least degree affected." 
 If we can accept the above statement as true, we have 
 the astonishing number of four thousand teeth re- 
 moved by one man, in one town, in the course of one 
 year. The calculation carried a little closer, and allow- 
 ing fifty-two Sundays for rest — needed alike by ope- 
 rator and patients we should say — there yet remain 
 twelve and a fraction of teeth to fall to the busy 
 chemist each day during the year. Those who prac- 
 tised as dentists only were then in the habit of increas- 
 ing their returns to a considerable extent by the sale of 
 such accessories to the teeth as might find a place on 
 the dressing or toilette table of their patients. This 
 practice was not considered incompatible with the 
 respectability or professional status of the dentist. 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 5 
 
 Aitliough distinctly appertaining to the shopkeeper, 
 and really claimed by the vendor of drugs as legiti- 
 mately his, nevertheless, the dentists of those days 
 made no scruple of engaging in this branch of trade. 
 Many based upon their possession of such and such 
 remedies a more distinct appeal to the public for their 
 confidence in and patronage of themselves, and in their 
 published works drew the attention of their readers 
 unhesitatingly to the fact. The following quotation 
 from Woofendale (1833) among others is to the point : 
 " Dentists have in general various preparations under the 
 title of dentifrice, tooth-j)Oivder, electuary, &c., &c., which 
 for many reasons they preserve as secrets; and each, 
 no doubt, recommends his own. I have a preparation 
 of that sort {dentifrice) peculiar to myself, which I have 
 used for many years ; and as it has always answered my 
 utmost wishes, I hope I may stand excused recommend- 
 ing it for that purpose." And again, further on, " The 
 lotion here alluded to is such as I can recommend, and is 
 peculiar to my own practice ; and as it has in the course 
 of an extensive practice fully answered my expectations, 
 I am enabled to offer it in this place to the public. I 
 hope the same reasons that have been offered when 
 treating of the dentifrice (p. 17), will be thought a 
 sufficient apology for not explaining its composition." 
 
 With the merest verbal alterations to suit the articles 
 on sale, such an announcement as the above would be 
 admirably adapted for the flying circular of the smallest 
 tradesman. No new trick by which apparent success 
 could be hoped for failed to obtain a prominent place 
 in the public announcements continually being made. 
 The public were posted up with a remarkably syste- 
 matic and ingenious regidarity concerning the won- 
 derful discovery made by this or that individual, of 
 course, after years of laborious research and patient 
 investigation, and at the cost of a fabulous amount of 
 money, whereby, for a consideration, all the evident 
 advantages thus obtained could be placed within reach 
 
6 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 of suffering liumanity. Those who thus appealed to the 
 public seemed perfectly oblivious to the fact that they 
 thereby cut the ground on which they essayed to 
 stand from under their own feet, and forfeited every 
 claim to be considered professional men. They had 
 the soul of the shopkeeper, the spirit and method of the 
 tradesman ; and although there can be, and in fact is, 
 nothing of which any one need be ashamed in following 
 the walk of commercial life, yet professional life is, and 
 always will be, very distinct from it. At that time, a 
 very heavy percentage of those who were in practice, 
 if they could be called in the profession at all, were not 
 at all careful to uphold its honour by their acknowledg- 
 ment of and obedience to professional canons. It may- 
 also be truthfully said that many were totally devoid of 
 that education which would enable them to properly 
 practise at all. Dentistry, in fact, very much resembled 
 the border warfare of feudal times. Every man was 
 "fighting for his own hand." Any step in advance, 
 achieved either by industry or accident, was carefully 
 hoarded as a secret, to be used for the possessor's own 
 benefit, and recourse was had to the Patent Office that 
 it might become legally his personal property. Nor 
 should the fact be omitted, that the spirit of personal 
 advancement by questionable, if not disreputable, 
 methods was not confined to the lowest class of 
 practitioners. It was no uncommon thing for men of 
 better stamp to dabble with the dubious, though they 
 might hesitate to touch the unclean thing. We have, 
 indeed, only to look a very little way back to see 
 gentlemen of the highest position permitting their 
 names to be associated with tooth-powders, &c., sold at 
 fashionable shops in the fashionable quarters of London. 
 It would be an interesting study, and, to those whom it 
 most concerned, perhaps a useful and instructive one, to 
 try and ascertain how the amount of money, directly or 
 indirectly gained by them in this unprofessional manner, 
 looks by the side of the loss of respect which they have 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. J 
 
 sustained through such transactions in the estimate of all 
 true practitioners. Facts in parallel columns, as a rule, 
 are easily remembered. The press has all along been 
 brought into frequent requisition in connection with 
 dentists and their art. With some honourable ex- 
 ceptions, however, the publications which have appeared 
 have had but one end in view, which the various 
 writers sought, and too often with a transparent eager- 
 ness, to attain. To use the mildest terms, it may be 
 fairly said that they were written with an eye to 
 popular acceptance. As a rule, their contents were 
 interlarded with medical and semi-scientific phraseology 
 to give a spice of profundity. The dainty appeals 
 made to parents' susceptibilities about the teeth of their 
 children — the enumeration of difficult cases for treat- 
 ment overcome by the superior skill of the author — the 
 ample resources at hand for meeting every kind of 
 circumstance liable to present itself — and even the 
 " getting up " of the productions in crimson or purple 
 covers, gilt edges, superior paper, and every other 
 possible attraction, could not hide the real motive of 
 the writer. In looking over some of these produc- 
 tions as they lie on one's table, with their coloured 
 illustrations of " the human face divine " in one 
 aspect, and distressingly human in another, accord- 
 ing to the will of the beholder and the skill of the 
 artist, the conclusion forces itself upon the mind, that 
 if the publication did not answer the end contem- 
 plated, it failed not from want of ingenuity, trouble, 
 or expense, not to mention another though short 
 and expressive word. In some of these books coloured 
 delineations of the teeth and gums with their diseases 
 appeared. The instruments also necessary for operations 
 upon the mouth were represented by coarse engra^dngs, 
 and their uses described in what must have been to the 
 non-professional reader terribly suggestive language. 
 A few quotations from the prefaces, introductions, or 
 body of these books will speak for themselves ; they are 
 
8 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 mrlatim et literatim copies. The following is taken 
 from a work whicli appeared under Eoyal patronage and 
 was dedicated to a Prince of the blood royal : — 
 
 (1824.) " The short time allowed to individuals in this 
 troublesome and transitory life, should induce sentiments 
 of Samaritan feeling for fellow-sufferers, amidst mankind 
 in general, and the Medical class in particular, who from 
 inspections and calculations, behind the scenes, of the 
 complicated cords, pulleys, and levers which keep Life's 
 Theatre, the Human Frame, in motion, are best adapted, 
 from reading and research, and the happy combination of 
 Theory and Practice, to promulgate and establish most 
 valuable additions to the general stock of useful know- 
 ledge. Under this impression, the Opinions on the 
 Causes, Effects, and Mode of cure for Tic Douloueeux, 
 herein contained, are humbly offered to the Public, and 
 if through their perusal, and subsequent consideration, 
 they can be found to conduce in any shape to the com- 
 fort, or amelioration of the many suffering victims of this 
 disease, the happiness afforded to them and their 
 relative connections, will be felt in a tenfold degree by 
 the dehghted AUTHOE." 
 
 (1826.) " Having recently obtained a double Patent for 
 a newly-invented Instrument for extracting teeth, and 
 also for a new and very superior method of fixing arti- 
 ficial teeth, I shall, after a few prefatory observations, 
 submit to the Public, in this tract, as concise a descrip- 
 tion as possible of the two inventions above named, 
 being fuUy persuaded that a simple statement of the 
 subject will be sufficient to ensure a very extended 
 approbation and patronage." 
 
 (1836.) " That which was at first a duty, by dwelling 
 long and intensely on it, is gradually exalted into a 
 pleasure ; every difficulty overcome, every error detected, 
 every new discovery made — all are so many fresh sources 
 of gratification, tending to attach us to that particular 
 study, and to create a proportionate indifference to other 
 occupations. I mention this as some excuse if I should 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 9 
 
 seem to lay too great stress upon my own pursuits, or 
 to triumph too immoderately upon the success of my 
 efforts to found a rational system, in place of the crude 
 and uncertain practice which has hitherto prevailed 
 amongst the dentists. That I have succeeded, I must 
 needs flatter myseK, since I have been so informed hy 
 those who, from their liigh rank, are not likely to 
 descend to compromise the truth, while their knowledge 
 affords an ample assurance for the integrity of their 
 judgments. 
 
 " The object of this work being to inspire confidence 
 in a system, resulting from long experience and mature 
 consideration, by which the beauty and health of the 
 mouth and teeth may be established for life, it is most 
 respectfully dedicated to the most valuable portion of 
 Society, the Mothers of the Eising Generation, by theh^ 
 sincere friend and devoted servant The Authok. 
 
 "But how different is the state of things in the 
 present day (1836): the exclusive self-complacency of 
 the empiric is considered as disreputable as it is found 
 ordinarily unsuccessful ; and he who builds the hope of 
 professional success on the basis of advertised self-praise, 
 though for a brief time he may delude the ignorant or 
 the unwary, in the end must find the level of his own 
 merit ; whilst with the more rational classes of the com- 
 munity, his expedient is as vain as it is dishonourable." 
 
 Whether the above deliverance of what is intended 
 to be a pure and virtuous statement is in accordance 
 with established fact need not be discussed. The con- 
 sideration of what appears in connection with another 
 of these works may help those who care to do so to 
 form a conclusion. It would appear that there must 
 have been a considerable demand for these books if we 
 judge by the inordinate supply. As literary produc- 
 tions it may fairly be inferred they must have yielded 
 no small profit. Whether or not, the following announce- 
 ment, taken from the pages of the next on the list, 
 is sufficiently significant; the little book alluded to 
 
10 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 
 
 appeared in 1837, as tlie second edition. Concerning 
 the first issue, we are informed in the preface that " the 
 sale of eleven thousand copies in this country alone, in 
 little more than four years, with few of the ordinary 
 aids employed in such cases," had induced the author 
 to prepare a new and enlarged edition. A foot-note 
 then gives what, perhaps, after all, was the real incentive 
 to this step : " It has also been reprinted in i'rance, 
 Germany, and America, and has circulated extensively 
 in each of these countries. The author has been con- 
 sulted by persons from all parts of the continent of 
 Europe, from America, from the East and West Indies, 
 and in more than one instance from China, who had 
 become acquainted with him through this little work 
 in those parts of the world. He has also been informed 
 that an edition in Erench has appeared, and that another 
 is in progress, or published in German." What sort of 
 information lay between the covers of this particular 
 publication it is not necessary to mention, after such a 
 circulation and reception by, up to then, an unen- 
 lightened world. If anghng through the press could 
 draw individuals to the consulting-room of the writer, 
 and from all parts of the globe, another edition to tell 
 the rest of suffering humanity the astounding fact is, 
 perhaps, a sufficiently justifiable proceeding. When we 
 arrive at the end of this second edition, and the record, 
 consequently, of all the wonders of nature and art in 
 this department of study, a final farewell appears in 
 italics to the following effect : " Casts and preparations 
 of the cases referred to, and others, as well as models 
 illustrative of the various methods of Eestoring lost 
 Teeth, I shall feel happy to exhibit and explain to any 
 persons who may feel interested in the subject;" and 
 then, in capital letters underneath, " At home from 1 1 
 till 4." How the writer of that work could escape or 
 hope to escape from the condemnation of being an 
 advertiser it is difficult to say ; at any rate, the way to 
 such a conclusion was open and easy. The press, we 
 
JbENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRIJAIN, II 
 
 are informed, however, accepted it, and the author w?« 
 lecturer on the anatomy and diseases of the teeth at ont 
 of the Metropolitan hospitals. But to take another 
 instance : " The experience of the author for a series of 
 years, in regulating the teeth of young persons, has 
 been extensive. A long period is indeed necessary 
 to make observations of the dental art. He shall 
 be in a great measure recompensed for the years 
 of laborious assiduity he has given to its study, 
 if the following Treatise shall be the means of rescu- 
 ing any individual from the afflictions which attend 
 a neglected care of the teeth." This statement is 
 brought to a close by the insertion of the writer's ad- 
 dress also. The following is a specimen which speaks 
 for itself, and is interesting as the deliverance of one 
 who called himself " Consulting Dentist, &c., Member 
 of the Eoyal College of Surgeons in London, and Hon- 
 orary Doctor in Medicine." Its date is 1 842 : — 
 
 "As some persons are under an apprehension that 
 they must be put to great pain and inconvenience by 
 the removal of teeth or stumps, and other painful opera- 
 tions, before they can be supplied with artificial teeth, 
 I feel it incumbent on me to remove this error, so far 
 as it relates to my system, which requires no removal of 
 teeth or stumps, or any pain or inconvenience whatever, 
 any more than if the article in question were an ordinary 
 piece of dress." . . . "The things called .mineral, or 
 Jews' teeth, are now plentifully manufactured of porce- 
 lain ; but they always look like what they are, and can 
 never be mistaken for teeth. Placed in front of the 
 dark cavity of the mouth, the unnatural material has, 
 necessarily, a very different appearance in day and 
 candlelight, and by acting as a whetstone on any of the 
 natural teeth it comes in contact with, soon wears them 
 away." ..." Long forceps, or tongs, of enormous 
 weight, are used by non-surgical practitioners, for the 
 purpose of tearing out molar teeth, by which the other 
 teeth often suffer in the operation, from being made to 
 
12 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 
 
 bear the weight of the extraction as fulciment : which, 
 together with the nature of the instrument employed, 
 often destroys them. These irregular practitioners 
 affect to dispense with the lancet, under pretence of 
 stripping the gum from the tooth by pushing their for- 
 ceps up ; but it is sufficiently obvious that no part should 
 either be stripped or torn that admits of being divided by 
 the lancet." In another portion of this work the writer 
 informs us, that "the 'London Directory' contains 
 the names of upwards of one hundred and twenty-five 
 individuals calling themselves surgeon-dentists, a large 
 majority of whom are said to be Jews, while the list of 
 the members of the Eoyal College of Surgeons reduces 
 the number to seven." Another case may be instanced, 
 where the writer, fearing to extend his rod and line to 
 " earth's remotest bound," hopes by a happy cast among 
 the medical men, and with an appropriate bait upon 
 his hook, to draw out of these quieter waters a sufficient 
 recompense for his ingenuity and trouble. The author 
 has in his possession an autograph letter which accom- 
 panied the presentation of the gilt-edged, illustrated 
 hrochurey and of which the subjoined is a copy : — 
 
 " Gentlemen, — I have taken the liberty of enclosing 
 for your acceptance my Essay on the Teeth, a work 
 treating generally on Dentistry ; and beg to inform you 
 that for some years past I have made it a practice to 
 remit gentlemen in your profession 1 5 per cent, on the 
 amount received throucrh their recommendation. Ke- 
 spectfully soliciting your favours on the above terms, 
 I am, gentlemen, your obedient servant," 
 
 This essentially " business man " requires no comment. 
 His malady was chronic by his own confession, and so 
 there is no need to further consider his case. The next 
 instance quoted shall be the concluding one. It saw 
 the light of day in 1854, and conveys to the reader's 
 mind that the writer would not only increase his prac- 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 1 3 
 
 tice, "but at the smallest amount of inconvenience and 
 expense to himself. The italics are in the origiriaL 
 " The author would impress upon all who read or in any 
 way profit by this work, that it would be an act of hind- 
 ness to present it to any friend who may require the aid 
 of the dentist." These, then, are a few selected speci- 
 mens of the writings put before the public in connection 
 with the dental profession about a generation since. 
 The veil covering them is too miserably thin to prevent 
 the merest tyro discovering the true intentions of the 
 writers. There is no necessity to deepen the colour of 
 this background, or disgust the reader by alluding to 
 the grosser sort of publications. With these the pro- 
 fession has been defiled and disgraced from the earliest 
 date ; and in the absence of any enactment of the legis- 
 lature to prevent, by prohibition, ignorant, unprincipled, 
 and rapacious men from practising as dentists, we dare 
 not hope for their cessation. If those among us who 
 hold respectable positions will persist in rushing into 
 print with their adulterations of Hunter, Blake, Fox, or 
 other later and celebrated authors, and succeed in their 
 fondest hope and strongest aim, it cannot create surprise 
 in any intelligent mind that other and less fortunate 
 men venture before the pubKc in the naked deformity 
 of their own impertinent ignorance. This was the 
 result of such practices in the days of which we speak ; 
 and the constant flow of the baser sort of announce- 
 ments, which incessantly invade our letter-boxes and 
 the domain of our kitchen-maids, proves that the effect 
 is of the same order now. Supposing the intentions of 
 the writers of those days to have been irreproachably 
 disinterested, the question remains. Was writing others 
 down ever likely to produce a proper and complete result? 
 But the shafts of ridicule and reproach which were 
 thus launched against them by those more pretentious 
 writers did not darken the atmosphere enough to hide 
 the evident selfishness which actuated so many of those 
 apparently indignant essayists in taking up the pen. 
 
14 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 Out of nearly fifty of these publications at hand 
 for investigation, scarcely one can be found with- 
 out a doleful lament, and in the majority of them 
 a positive Jeremiade over the naughty men and 
 their doings. In the bulkiest of these books; 
 all the way down to the cheapest of them all in 
 price, we find either protest, fiery denunciation, or 
 scorn, &c., &c., as the fancy flies. In some instances it 
 is really laughable to read the remarks on this head. 
 "With what plaintive printed sighs do our authors 
 assure the public — that dear, kind, indulgent public — 
 how gratified they will be if they " shall have corrected 
 erroneous notions, or imparted salutary advice, so as in 
 any degree to have arrested the progress of empiri- 
 cism ! " They draw over their own ink-stained fingers 
 the whitest of kid- gloves, and with lifted shoulders and 
 outstretched arms implore the deluded, but patiently 
 enduring, outside world to remember that they are the 
 only individuals capable of taking care of its interests, 
 so far as the teeth are concerned, at the least, and how 
 delighted they will be to become the fortunate deliverers 
 of the prey from the spoiler. Doubtless ! It appears 
 that the idea never occurred to those gentlemen that 
 example is stronger than precept. They were in ignor- 
 ance of, uninterested in, or oblivious to the true prin- 
 ciple of real reform. Charlatanism was the child of 
 ignorance and presumption, and while those who could 
 instruct, enlighten, and lead preferred the easier, and, to 
 them, more remunerative method of writing works or 
 pamphlets of indifferent merit, and thereby parading 
 their names before the public, there could be no reason- 
 able hope of professional pretenders taking a different 
 course. Darkness was to be dispelled then as it is now 
 by light taking its place, and this aspect of morality 
 was not to be had then any more than it is now, by wish- 
 ing for it on the one hand, or the mere denunciation of 
 immorality on the other. As we endeavour to get a 
 clear view of the state of dentistry at that time, one or 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 1 5 
 
 two matters become conspiciions. We see gross ignor- 
 ance as the general characteristic of many if not most 
 of those who practised it. Attempts at personal recog- 
 nition constantly being made, some feeble, some furious, 
 according to the idiosyncrasy and circumstances of the 
 parties concerned. Those who were irreproa-chable in 
 character and conduct holding aloof, as by a natural 
 law, from those who were tainted in any degTee. 
 Others who could not claim actual purity, trying to 
 assume it, and wishing the beholder to believe it. 
 While many who took the pen in hand could not wield 
 it ingeniously enough to hide their thirst for greed, or 
 disguise the (to others) distressing malady of " the first 
 person singular on the brain," from which they were 
 evidently suffering. The pictures they presented to 
 the public were certainly enshrined in more decent 
 frames and surroundings than the coarser sort appeared 
 in, but the design was ever the same in all alike. 
 When once these treatises had emerged from the press, 
 the industry and ingenuity employed to circulate them 
 was remarkable. The author lias heard of one method 
 which has the merit of boldness about it. Advantage 
 was taken of the opportunities afforded by the carriages 
 of the wealthy and influential stopping at the doors of 
 the houses of well-known dentists, to scatter, during the 
 absence of the owners, a supply of these httle works 
 through the open windows of the vehicles. This may be 
 called the aggressive style. Another method which has 
 come to the author's ears was the packing away, in large 
 numbers, of copies of the work in question in cases 
 containing other commodities destined for foreign parts. 
 This may be termed the cautious style. But what is 
 strangest of all is the favourable notice which was taken 
 of some of the most inferior of these productions by the 
 medical press, and by which a reading was gained for 
 them in many directions where, otherwise, they would 
 most justly have been altogether unknown. How this 
 was obtained, whether by the reviewers' ignorance of 
 
1 6 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN 
 
 the subject before them, or by the mere printing of the 
 notices in question prepared by some friendly hand, or 
 even the hand of the original writer himself, or by the 
 subtle and strong influence of another and easily-guessed 
 agent, it is needless now to discuss. An indiscrimi- 
 nating pubKc offered temptations too strong to be resisted 
 by the rapacious and unprincipled empiric pretending 
 to practise what to a very large extent was considered 
 to be a semi-mysterious art. Opportunities abounded 
 for throwing dust in the eyes, and the occasion was 
 diligently utilised. Under the garb of censors many 
 appeared upon the scene, book in hand, earnestly 
 asking the same public to consult their pages first, and, 
 through their writings, themselves afterwards, until the 
 profused remedy proved as bad as the disease. Looking 
 upon the thousand and one literary efforts in connection 
 with the dental profession of the past generation, it is 
 only after a terribly long process of sifting and sorting 
 that the eye rests upon that which the judgment and a 
 sense of justice can approve. The most of them were, in 
 fact, but the nineteenth-century version of the old notice- 
 board lately presented to the Odontological Society of 
 Great Britain as a curious relic of a bygone age, and of 
 which the following is a correct copy : — 
 
 Tho! Smith Glazier, Let Blood & Draw 
 Teeth »" ^ ^ea Kittels & Potts Buckels 
 Lantrens Cups To ^® Handled Heare. 
 
( 17) 
 
 CHAPTEE II. 
 
 In the year 1841 Mr. Waite issued a pamphlet embody- 
 ing liis regrets at the then condition of the dental pro- 
 fession, and offering suggestions for what he conceived 
 would tend to its amelioration and improvement. The 
 paper was called "An Appeal to the Parliament, the 
 Medical Profession, and the Public, on the Present 
 State of Dental Surgery. By George Waite, Esq., 
 Surgeon-Dentist, M.E.C.S., &c. London : Highley & 
 Co., Elect Street." The following are some of the 
 writer's remarks : — " I purpose showing the necessity of 
 the legislature and the medical profession recognising 
 this {i.e., dentistry) as a legitimate branch of the science, 
 and that no persons be permitted hereafter to practise 
 without having undergone examination by one or more 
 censors of the Eoyal College of Surgeons. As it now is, 
 dentistry can be considered no profession ; a person, 
 however illiterate and uneducated, may commence prac- 
 tice : and society being unprotected, there is no reason 
 why he may not be consulted ; in which case, there being 
 no guarantee that he is professionally competent, he 
 may operate on a tooth in the neighbourhood of an 
 incipient malignant tumour, and thereby do the greatest 
 mischief ; for it can hardly be supposed that he 
 can know the diseases to wliich the jaws are liable, 
 their intricate anatomy, and all kinds of irritability 
 which iU-judged dental operations may give rise to." 
 ..." To me it appears extraordinary that in this great 
 capital, the most enlightened in Europe, and in this age 
 of advanced science, such charlatanism should not 
 directly be checked ; and I have no hesitation in saying, 
 that tiie ranks of the profession and the interests of 
 
 B 
 
1 8 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 society demand legislative interference." ..." Among 
 dentists, at present, no cordiality exists; first-rate 
 science has been confined to a limited few ; no new and 
 essential theories on practice have been suggested 
 under fear of piracy; narrow feelings entertained 
 towards each other ; and the practice of the one, how- 
 ever perfect, depreciated by the other to answer his own 
 selfish views." ..." The College of Surgeons might 
 easily nomuiate a board of officers from dentists^ 
 members of their college, who might issue diplomas to 
 such dentists as undergo competent examinations, and act 
 as censors appointed for that purpose ; and hereby they 
 would place an important branch of the profession on a 
 high footing, which would contribute materially to the 
 welfare and health of the community. Dentists likewise 
 would enjoy many advantages under such regulations ; 
 for it is but fair to state that many are not properly 
 remunerated under the present system. This would not 
 be the case did a better understanding exist generally." 
 . . . . " That it may not be thought I am adverse 
 to the practice of many dentists in our metropolis, I beg 
 most distinctly to assert that I wish by no means that 
 changes should be made unacceptable to the regular and 
 present respectable members of our profession, whether 
 recognised or not by any scientific body. It is but 
 justice to remark, that among their number are men 
 who, although unprivileged by diplomas, are of high 
 honour and respectability." .... "Accordingly, 
 with all this evidence before us, it is manifest that the 
 interposition of the legislature is demanded to place 
 dentistry, which is d& facto a branch of surgery, on a 
 legitimate footing. The interests of the medical pro- 
 fession and the public alike support the appeal which I 
 have thus, perhaps imperfectly, submitted. But perhaps 
 I might subjoin a view of the system of education 
 which I should recommend a dentist to pursue. Mathe- 
 matics and mechanical philosophy should form the 
 groundwork of his education. I would urge that it 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 1 9 
 
 ought to be imperatively demanded by the Medical 
 Eeform Bill that he pursue a system of work for three 
 years at least, to gain a steadiness of hand and a 
 thorough knowledge of instruments." .... "I 
 would have every dentist well versed in chemistry, 
 have attended three courses of lectures on anatomy, 
 physiology, and surgery, and also have pursued hospital 
 practice. This should qualify him for examination. 
 His licence to practise, or his diploma, should be given 
 to him on his qualifications being proved, and his pupils 
 afterwards always apprenticed to and examined by a 
 board of officers. There might exist a reserved clause 
 that all dentists being established at this time should 
 be examined as to their qualifications, and their age 
 noticed ; and wherever gross abuse has existed, and can 
 be proved, the licence should be refused," These were 
 some of the more salient points in the pamphlet, and are 
 interesting when read under present circumstances, 
 indicating as they do the existence of a strong desire 
 for professional reform, and giving evidence of em- 
 bryonic or fcetal life, prepared to make itself manifest 
 in the direction of scientific progress. What was the 
 result of this publication it is not possible to say. 
 Whether it was ever extensively distributed it would 
 be difficult to assert. But, assuming that it was largely 
 circulated, and thoroughly considered, it could only 
 claim to be classified with other and similar isolated 
 attempts at improvement. Although a highly respect- 
 able, and, from the surgeon's point of view, a qualified 
 practitioner, Mr. Waite appears not to have possessed 
 sufficient influence among dentists generally to induce 
 them to respond to his desires; or else the dogged 
 selfishness and want of cordiahty of which he com- 
 plained was too deep-seated to give way before his 
 individual " appeal." At any rate, the dark waters 
 of ignorance and prejudice of that day seemed to flow on 
 untroubled as before, and no light was yet on the 
 horizon. 
 
20 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 
 
 Whether influenced by Mr. Waite's appeal or not, or, 
 if influenced by it at all, to what extent, it is not easy 
 to say ; nevertheless, during the year 1 842, Mr. James 
 Eobinson, whose name will be more freely mentioned 
 in the course of this work, endeavoured to raise the pro- 
 fession by means of a dental society. His idea was in 
 the direction of organisation first, and, when that was 
 effected, then education, with its upraising power, was 
 to be introduced and energetically worked. Mr. Eobin- 
 son was a man of such remarkable activity and energy, 
 that it looked very much as though his proposal would 
 succeed from this cause alone, yet, on trial, the terrible 
 apathy and the strong jealousies which prevailed were 
 too powerful for him, and his scheme unfortunately had 
 to be abandoned. 
 
 Further than this there does not appear to have been 
 any particular manifestation made in the direction of 
 progress. At any rate, a sort of calm prevailed. The 
 essential quality of ripeness or readiness for definite 
 action had not been attained, or, if it actually existed, 
 no person appeared on the scene to take advantage of 
 it. Those who have had to hold a prominent position 
 in any such matters have given testimony to the fact, 
 tliat reform in any class needs not only able leaders, 
 but an assurance, more or less certain, that, at their 
 signal to advance, there should be a sufficient number 
 of followers to obey their word. The fitting moment 
 was likewise to be evident to them. In the early part 
 of the year 1 843 a Bill was being laid before the House of 
 Parliament, in which, at the instigation of many provin- 
 cial surgeons, certain clauses were sought to be intro- 
 duced, whereby the charter of the Eoyal College of 
 Surgeons would be materially altered, and, as the 
 petitioners considered, improved. The college authori- 
 ties were in the dark as to the general scope and tenor 
 of the Bill, which was known as Sir James Graham's 
 Bill, and had only been consulted upon several clauses, 
 and at the last moment. The opportunity, however, 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 21 
 
 seemed convenient to the minds of some of tlie leading 
 dental practitioners for an effort to be made to introduce 
 the claims of dentists to have the profession included in 
 the measure. At a meeting held at the house of Mr. 
 Arnold Eogers in Eegent Street, March 4, 1843, the 
 following gentlemen being present, namely, Messrs. 
 IsTasmyth, Tomes, Saunders, Stokes, Parkinson, Morell, 
 and A. Eogers (chair), it was resolved that two of their 
 number, Mr. Eogers and Mr. Stokes, should wait upon 
 the president of the Eoyal College of Surgeons, and 
 ascertain from him whether this Bill did or would 
 include dentists in its provisions. 
 
 On the following day, Sunday, March 5, 1843, the 
 deputation saw the president of the Eoyal College of 
 Surgeons (Mr. White), AAdio appears to have been ex- 
 ceedingly cautious in his answers, and gave his opinion 
 with what looks now like tartness. He considered that 
 " the members of the college practising exclusively the 
 dental profession were, in strictness, seceders," and even 
 asked the deputation whether, " in the event of a case 
 being brought to them, they would set a limb, or re- 
 duce a dislocation." With the proper prudence which 
 becomes the head of this learned and important body, 
 Mr. White also " seemed desirous to know if they con- 
 templated a participation in the government of the 
 college." This aim the deputation instantly disavowed. 
 The president was then informed that it was the inten- 
 tion of the respectable body of dentists to memorialise 
 the college and Sir James Graham. He begged they 
 would not memorialise the college, but address a letter 
 as members of the body of surgeons — those who held 
 diplomas — and procure as many accompanying notes as 
 they could from gentlemen practising as dentists, but 
 not possessing diplomas, stating their regret that, at the 
 time they became professors of the art, there was no 
 compulsory law in existence. He further advised them 
 to obtain all the facts possible, and lose no time in 
 doing so. The conclusion of tliis interview was an 
 
f 
 
 22 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, ' 
 
 assurance tliat tlie application should have his support, 
 althouoh he as much as feared there would he some 
 who would ohject to the proposal they sought to make. 
 One or two things may be noticed here. The first is 
 the construction placed by the president of the Eoyal 
 College of Surgeons on the practice of dentistry by any 
 member of that college. Whoever did so, according to 
 Mr. White's opinion, had thereby seceded, which, if it 
 means anything, means retrograded, or, in simple 
 phraseology, the individual had lost caste. This idea 
 has been, all along, very pronounced, and it has not yet 
 become extinct. Then, again, we have a very clear 
 evidence of the jealousy with which the sacred table of 
 the governing body in Lincoln's Inn Fields was guarded. 
 Had there iDcen on the part of this deputation the 
 slightest trace of such a desire as that mentioned, no 
 doubt the interview would have been abruptly termi- 
 nated. Furthermore there is the information, politely 
 enough offered, it is true, that the college authorities 
 could only be appropriately addressed through members 
 of the college. Men who were not diplomS, however 
 high their acknowledged professional standing might 
 be, could only appear as train-bearers, and words of 
 regret at their unfortunate position are kindly put into 
 their mouths by the president. Allusion is thus made 
 to this condition of tlnngs here, as it will help to explain 
 the difficulties which had to be overcome further on. 
 It is useless to disguise the fact, that a stiffness of 
 demeanour has always, more or less, characterised the 
 members of the College of Surgeons in their intercourse 
 with dentists as such. That such should be so is not 
 surprisiug. If there is an advantage, both social and 
 professional, in being able to write M.E.C.S.E. after 
 one's name, those who cannot do so need not wonder at 
 the assumption of a superiority by those who can. 
 Whether the exhibition of this in a marked manner 
 and measure has been politic, not to say polite, is a 
 doubtful question. Certain it is that its reiteration has 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 23 
 
 not made respect for the degree, or the holders of it 
 either, any easier than formerly. Especially so when 
 the profession has seen so many painfully evident 
 proofs that the membership of the Eoyal College of 
 Surgeons did not confer upon its possessors the power 
 rightly to understand or practise dentistry. Another" 
 meeting took place at the house of Mr. Xasmyth, March 
 10, 1843. On that occasion Mr. ^asmyth occupied the 
 chair, and Messrs. Cartwright, G. Parkinson, Tomes, 
 Saunders, Morell, Eogers, Stokes, Bigg, Harrison, J. W. 
 Parkinson, P. Parkinson, and Hyde (solicitor) formed 
 the committee or meeting. The number attending 
 was considerably increased, and the gathering, no doubt, 
 was considered representative of the profession. It is 
 evident these gentlemen were in earnest in the matter 
 before them. Mr. Eogers reported the result of the 
 inter^dew he and Mr. Stokes had had with the president 
 of the Eoyal College of Surgeons, but he had not been 
 contented with restino- thino-s there. Between the two 
 meetingjs he had made use of the advantas^e which a 
 professional acquaintance with Major Graham, brother 
 of Sir James Graham, afforded him. He had enlisted 
 that gentleman's interest in the subject they were con- 
 sidering, and had secured his promise to assist them by 
 presenting their stated ^dews to his brother. Xo tim3 
 had been lost, for a rough draft of a memorial had been 
 already prepared by Mr. Eogers, Mr. Stokes, and Mr. 
 Tomes, and was there for the consideration of the 
 meeting. The document was read to the meeting by 
 Mr. Tomes. A discussion then ensued concerninc^ 
 the form of the memorial, which eventuated in its 
 being submitted to the revision of Messrs. JSTasmyth, 
 Eogers, Stokes, Tomes, and Hyde. These gentlemen 
 were to meet two days further on (12th instant) at 
 Mr. Eogers', for that purpose. Another important 
 matter was discussed, namely, the propriety of all 
 memorialisimr the Council of the Collec^e of Surg^eons. 
 It resulted in the d'etermination to coromunicate with 
 
24 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 the college. The liberty to bring any friend Avas ac- 
 corded to each gentleman on the occasion of the next 
 meeting, which was fixed to take place at Mr. Cart- 
 wright's house on the 15 th instant. Considering who 
 had taken part in these meetings, and the peculiarly 
 exclusive views held by some, it is not very surprising 
 to find a different tone adopted, and a very differ- 
 ent condition of things evidenced, when the time came 
 round for the next convention. As appointed, a meet- 
 ing was held on the 1 2th, for the revision of the memo- 
 rial to the College, but one gentleman of importance 
 failed to attend. A little word, of three letters only, 
 which had been introduced into the resolution which 
 brought this meeting together, looks ominously signi- 
 ficant as the reason for Mr. Nasmyth absenting himself. 
 That little word is " all." From subsequent correspon- 
 dence it will be abundantly manifest whether the 
 author is right in his conclusions or wrong. At any 
 rate, when Messrs. Eogers, Stokes, Tomes, and the soli- 
 citor (Hyde) met, the first thing to be done was to read 
 a letter from Mr. Nasmyth, stating his reasons for not 
 attending the meeting, or continuing his assistance to- 
 wards the intended object. Furthermore, on discussing 
 the form which the proposed memorial should take, it was 
 agreed by those present that the following suggestions 
 should be submitted to the next meeting : — " That the 
 best way in which the intended representation could be 
 made to the minister, would be rather by private com- 
 munication, by way of letter, expressing the opinions of 
 those only who signed it, than by a formal petition or 
 memorial ; for it a]3peared to them that the gentlemen 
 who had hitherto taken part in the proceedings could 
 not be considered to represent the body of dentists, and 
 could not speak in their collective name without a 
 public meeting were first called, and they were by such 
 meeting empowered formally to address the minister; 
 that they were of opinion that such a step would be 
 attended with numerous difficulties, and that the object 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 25 
 
 to be obtained would be more easily or likely to be ac- 
 complislied by a private communication in the form of 
 a letter to be signed by the parties who should attend 
 the next meeting." 
 
 Perhaps it was the influence of the " legal " mind in 
 the jDcrson of Mr. Hyde that superinduced the dawning 
 of the truth as to the real position and the validity of 
 action of these evident well-wishers to the dental profes- 
 sion. Their aim and object was laudable, their energy was 
 indisputable ; but their gatherings together were private, 
 and entirely devoid of authority. The mass of dentists 
 outside theu' circle was by no means an inviting object 
 for contemplation, or that which courted their co-opera- 
 tion in the direction of improvement, and any attempt 
 to maintain and improve the respectability of the dental 
 profession, where it did exist, was entitled to the thanks 
 of every honourable practitioner. The thing to be 
 lamented in this effort is that it did not rest on the right 
 foundation. Those who thus met were truly representa- 
 tive in the sense of their acquirements and scientific and 
 practical knowledge generally ; but no one had commis- 
 sioned them to act, even beneficially, as they imagined 
 and desired, and therefore in that sense their o^epresenta- 
 tive character was simply 7iil. While such men as 
 Mr. IsTasmyth gathered with them they had internal 
 as well as external difficulties to deal with. The 
 severe spirit of caste and exclusiveness was often pain- 
 fully manifest, and proved over and again an ob- 
 structive to progress in the right direction. Such as he 
 had to learn the difficult lesson that no practical sym- 
 pathy can be displayed anywhere without a forgetful- 
 ness of self. However, when the next meeting came 
 to assemble, wdth Mr. Cartwright in the chair, the fol- 
 lowing letter was adopted ; and after the solicitor had 
 called upon Messrs. Bigg, Morell, Sherwm, and Oswin to 
 obtain those gentlemen's signatures, it was forwarded 
 the next day by Mr. Eogers to Major Graham, to be de-, 
 livered to Sir James Graham for consideration : — 
 
26 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 "32 Old Burlington Street, March 15, 1843. 
 " Sir, — We, the undersigned, having heard of your Bill for the 
 better regulation of the medical colleges, would most respectfully 
 suggest for your consideration that part of the profession prac- 
 tised by dentists, and would also present to you an opinion. We 
 earnestly believe that much benefit would be gained by the public 
 were a legislative enactment made which should oblige parties 
 purposing to practise as dentists to pursue a course of educa- 
 tion similar to that followed by those intending to practise sur- 
 gery, and to gain for themselves a similar diploma. Evidence of 
 patients suffering from the ignorance of parties who have not re- 
 ceived any professional education, and yet practise as dentists, 
 and who through advertisements delude the public by quackery 
 and fraud, are constantly presenting themselves to our notice. 
 Such gross imposition could not be practised by educated men, as 
 all must be who are qualified as surgeons. We confidently be- 
 lieve that such an enactment would meet with the approbation of 
 the public at large, and of all the respectable members of our 
 branch of the profession. That other nations have considered this 
 subject of importance may be inferred from the enactments of 
 France, Germany, Austria, and America, where those who practise 
 as dentists are required to possess a certificate of qualification, 
 given after examination by an authorised medical body. In Eng- 
 land no qualification is imperative ; yet the importance of a pro- 
 per knowledge upon the subject can hardly be doubted when 
 England's greatest surgeon (Hunter) thought the subject worthy 
 of a place in his mind ; and that he gave time and thought to it 
 may be seen by referring to his work upon the teeth, their dis- 
 eases and treatment. With these facts strongly impressed upon 
 our minds, we have considered it our duty thus to address you, 
 and have the honour to be, sir, your very obedient and humble 
 servants, 
 
 " Samuel Cart weight, 32 Old Burlington Street. 
 G. H. Parkinson, Raquet Court, Fleet Street. 
 J. H. Parkinson, 36 Sackville Street. ' 
 Arnold Rogers, 296 Regent Street. 
 Edwin Saunders, 16 Argyle Street. 
 W. A. Harrison, 34 Keppel Street, Russell Square. 
 Charles Stokes, 65 Brook Street, Hanover Square. 
 John Tomes, 41 Mortimer Street, Cavendish Square. 
 Frank Sherwin, 14 Bruton Street, Berkeley Square. 
 Charles Oswin, 72 Harley Street. 
 Dominique Morell, i Langham Place. 
 
 *' To the Right Hon. Sir James Graham, Secretary of State 
 for the Home Department." 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. S^^'t v 
 
 With the general scope and purport of this petitiolj 
 no fault can be found, although exception may be taken 
 to that portion of it where the inference is dra^ai that 
 the possession of a diploma would prevent empiricism. 
 The history of the medical profession, and in fact every 
 other also, refutes this idea. One thing is noticeable 
 also in connection with this document, that all sicming 
 it omitted inserting their qualifications. It is not 
 remarkable, therefore, that Mr. I^asmyth's name was not 
 appended. That gentleman was present when it was 
 resolved that this petition should go forth, and even 
 mthdrew his letter, but he was the only objecting party 
 to the resolution. The polite letter by Mr. Eogers which 
 accompanied it elicited from Major Graham the annexed 
 satisfactory reply : — 
 
 " General Eegister Office, Somerset House, 
 11th Ilarch 1843. 
 
 " My Dear Sir, — I will with pleasure take a good opportunity 
 of giving to Sir Jas. Graham the letter you have intrusted to my 
 caie. — Very faithfully yours, George Graham. 
 
 " To Arnold Rogers, Esq." 
 
 It is thus seen that the original position and proposals 
 of these gentlemen — who must be considered true friends 
 to their profession, and as such deserving its thanks — 
 had become considerably modified. Instead of assuming 
 the place and power of dictators to their brethren, they 
 had contented themselves with modestly signifying to 
 the proper minister in parliament what their " opinion " 
 was with reo'ard to the educational necessities of future 
 dentists. True, this opinion thus expressed only bore 
 the signatures of eleven members of the profession, but 
 still several of the names that were appended were 
 those of men of influence, who could claim the unfeigned 
 respect of their brethren throughout the three kingdoms. 
 One gentleman, who, on the score of the authority 
 which his scientific writings alone gave him, Mr. Thomas 
 Bell, does not appear personally to liave attended the 
 
28 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 meetings which led up to the result thus attained. What 
 amount of influence, if any, he may have indirectly used, 
 the author is unable to say. His mflexible adherence to 
 surgical ideas, and rigid severity in insisting upon all 
 dentists receiving a medical education, and possessing a 
 medical clegTee, can easily account for his abstention 
 from any connection with this movement, or the pro- 
 jectors of it either. Educated as a surgeon, he imbibed 
 such strong sentiments as to the imperative necessity of 
 all men having to do with any department of surgery 
 passing through the college, that all who did not do 
 so called down upon themselves his contempt. This 
 peculiarity has clung to him throughout his • entire 
 career. All honour must be accorded to him for his 
 excellent contributions to the scientific literature of our 
 profession, and by which his name is not only known, 
 but justly celebrated ; but he cannot claim to have been 
 helpful in the practical reform which has taken place ; 
 and this is to be traced to the exclusiveness of his ideas 
 on what constitutes professional fellowship or brother- 
 hood. What his hearty co-operation might have pro- 
 duced is a problem ; but, seeing it was not given, there 
 is no need to speculate concerning it. The gentlemen 
 who had been thus endeavouring to bring about an 
 amelioration of the evils which flourished through 
 icfnorance, and soucrht to introduce a higher resfime, and 
 offer inducements for the students in dentistry to submit 
 themselves to it, certainly demand the recognition of the 
 profession for their desires to do good, although they 
 could not be commended for the method they adopted 
 of giving them effect. It will be well here to correct 
 the impression which these meetings generally made 
 when the fact of their having been held became known. 
 They were characterised, if not actually stigmatised, as 
 mere occasions of eating and drinking, when, after all, 
 though the social features were not absent, they were really 
 true business meetings. The subjects were formally 
 introduced, discussed, "rejected, or adopted, according to 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 29 
 
 all recognised rules, and therefore it is neither just nor 
 true to say that they were simply festive occasions. 
 The document which had been thus forwarded to the 
 state authority was followed up by one addressed to the 
 college as follows : — 
 
 *'To Anthony White, Esq., President, and to the Council of theEoyal 
 College of Surgeons. 
 
 *' Gentlemen, — The attention of the legislature being now 
 distinctly and ostensibly directed to the subject of medical 
 reform, every individual member of the profession, in whatever 
 branch and of whatever rank, is naturally led to inquire into his 
 present position, and future prospects ; and the profession looks 
 with peculiar confidence to the high character of the present 
 council of the College of Surgeons, so to carry out the projected 
 changes as to leave no branch of the surgical practice unpro- 
 vided with the means of gradual improvement in knowledge, and 
 of elevation of professional character. Considering, however, 
 the small number of persons recognised by the college who 
 practise the branch of surgery to which we have directed our- 
 selves, and knowing also the limited opportunities generally 
 possessed of appreciating the circumstances and relations of that 
 department of practice, we trust that our testimony in regard to 
 its actual condition, and our advocacy of its claims to your con- 
 sideration, may not be thought misplaced at this moment. The 
 indispensable importance of this branch of practice to the com- 
 munity at large, and the necessity there seems to be to encourage 
 enlightened views on the subject, may be judged of from the fact, 
 that at present there are no less than about j\jtli part of the whole 
 aggregate number of practitioners in London occupied exclusively 
 in the real or pretended practice of dental surgery, viz., about 
 2CX) out of 2000 ; but of these 200, twelve only are associated with 
 any of the corporate bodies which preside over medicine, and 
 those are members of the College of Surgeons. We are far from 
 wishing to insinuate that amongst the number whom we have stated 
 to be unconnected with the college there are not many whose 
 high personal character and general knowledge of their profession 
 entitle them to respect and consideration, but as our present 
 object relates exclusively to the projected changes in the con- 
 stitution of the college, it is only with reference to the few who 
 are of its members that we now by permission approach its 
 council. We are convinced that it must be wholly unnecessary 
 to point out to the gentlemen whom we have the honour to 
 address the intimate connection between the diseases of the teeth 
 and the various organs in immediate relation to them as affecting 
 
30 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 many of the most important local and constitutional derange- 
 ments of tlie human frame ; the practice of every surgeon affords 
 him daily proofs of this, and the council must therefore be 
 sensible of the high importance of encouraging, this department 
 of surgical science by all the advantages likely to result from the 
 education necessary to become a member of your learned and 
 distinguished body, and it is only by your recognition of this 
 principle that we can hope to have our branch of the profession 
 rescued from the obloquy which has of late been too frequently 
 cast upon it by the malpractices of ignorant and empirical pre- 
 tenders. Under these circumstances it is to you, the influential 
 and ruling body of our college, that we naturally appeal at this 
 important epoch, and most respectfully yet earnestly submit not 
 only our individual claims, but also the claims of those few others 
 w"ho, being with ourselves members of your college, devote them- 
 selves to our branch of the profession, as not unworthy to be 
 recognised in the arrangements now in progress, and to have 
 secured to us that character and that rank to which we believe 
 the regularly-educated surgeon-dentist legitimately entitled. A 
 prominent feature we understand in the projected reform of our 
 college is to consist in the creation of a new grade amongst its 
 members to be called Fellows, and with whom the elective fran- 
 chise of the governing body is to reside. Now, surely the fact of 
 a member devoting the whole of his time and attention to the 
 study and improvement, and bringing all his professional skill 
 and acquirements to the produce of our art, or any other peculiar 
 branch of the healing art, or to any other given class of diseases, 
 ought to operate as no disqualification for that contemplated and 
 distinguished order, and we do earnestly solicit for ourselves and 
 others practising as surgeon-dentists, that we may not by this 
 projected alteration be left on a footing below gentlemen with 
 whom some of us have been long before the public, connected 
 together either as professional associates or official colleagues. 
 Earnestly confiding our claims to your protection, and relying on 
 your appreciation of the justice thereon, we have the honour to 
 be, gentlemen, 
 
 *' Your most obedient and faithful servants." 
 
 The names of those who signed this document do not 
 appear on the copies of the transaction which Mr. Tomes 
 has placed in the writer's hands, and therefore cannot he 
 inserted ; hut it is probable that those who appended 
 their signatures to the preceding one did not withhold 
 them from this. At the present time, however, it is not 
 of much importance to attempt to ascertain the certamty, 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 3 1 
 
 and it therefore may be left in the region of conjecture. 
 Here, also, all record of these meetings ceases. From the 
 present standpoint it is interesting to look back upon 
 and register this ' attempt to improve the status of the 
 dental profession, and note the opinions Trhich then pre- 
 vailed, at least ^dth those concerned, as to how it could 
 be best accomplished. The leaning was e^ddently 
 towards affiliation mth the Eoyal College of Surgeons, 
 a tendency in the minds of those of the sur^i.vors which 
 has not undergone alteration in the efforts '^i.th which 
 they have been subsequently engaged. 
 
 From many causes at that time in oj)eration, which, 
 when regarded as a whole, doubtless left the impression 
 on the minds of the gentlemen who had thus far acted 
 in this matter that the attempt to better their profession 
 was impracticable, the scheme, which had been de^'ised 
 with the best intentions, and pushed forward with con- 
 siderable energ}^, was very reluctantly but altogether 
 abandoned. 
 
(32) 
 
 CHAPTEE III. 
 
 After tlie failure of tlie effort just recorded, for a 
 decade onwards, at least, the profession was in a state of 
 accepted qnietnde. The falling through of the project 
 was in itself of a discouraging tendency. Either the 
 time or the disposition again to make any further 
 endeavour was evidently wanting. Such practitioners 
 as were worthy of the name felt, or appeared to feel, the 
 hoplessness of real advance, except as might be attained 
 by their own careful and consistent conduct as scientific 
 men. Their example, perhaps, might slowly achieve 
 w^hat the Eoyal College of Surgeons was unable or 
 unwillino^ to accord to them. Without a common centre 
 or bond of union, the dentists of that time practised 
 exclusively and primarily for their own individual inte- 
 rests. It must not be understood, however, that the 
 good men and true were callous and indifferent concern- 
 ing the future of the profession. The position they 
 held had been arrived at after long effort, nobly sustained, 
 and by close and patient study, while the conduct of 
 their practices absorbed their whole time. The habits 
 of the uninitiated around them were, as they ever must 
 be, repulsive to men of unimpeached integrity ; and the 
 indisposition or inability of the legislature and the 
 College of Surgeons to carry out their ideas may, 
 together, be accepted as sufficient reasons for no further 
 attempt at advance being made. But while this is 
 easy to understand it is also to be lamented. There 
 were many young and highly respectable men being 
 educated as surgeons, with the ulterior object of prac- 
 tising as dentists. There were others, also, who were 
 serving their articles under those who were practising 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 33 
 
 dentistry upon a very scanty knowledge of its true 
 requirements, but who, they hoped, might impart a 
 sufficiency of practical instruction to them. To such as 
 these the whole aspect and outlook of the profession 
 was very gloomy. The published works to which they 
 had access were by no means numerous, and their techni- 
 calities and general scientific terminology were hindrances 
 rather than aids to all who had not commenced their 
 studies in a thoroughly medical school. However, they 
 clung to their books, looked earnestly for opportunities 
 for further information, valued every scrap of it when 
 it was obtained, and were thrown back in dependence 
 on their own courage and patience of hope. Such was 
 the disconnected and estranged condition of the pro- 
 fession, that very few except the parties immediately 
 concerned were aware of the effort which had been 
 made to secure an improved status generally. Even 
 among those who had been so zealously at work there 
 was no particular tie, and it cannot be wondered at 
 that, when that which had brought them together for 
 a time collapsed, they should be content to accept the 
 inevitable, and each retire, as it were, to his own indi- 
 vidual and private sphere. A select few occasionally 
 met at each others' houses for social intercourse, but no 
 new plan was talked of, and the profession remained 
 unaltered, and apparently unalterable. Those were dull 
 times and weary days to the young men at their studies. 
 The general hospitals afforded them the only oppor- 
 tunity for gaining experience in operative dental 
 surgery, and it was not all of these valuable institutions 
 that had a strictly dental department. Where, indeed, 
 this was the case, it was but on certain days in each 
 week, and then but for a very limited time, and with 
 comparatively few cases before him, that the dental 
 student might hope to improve himself in that impor- 
 tant branch of his profession. Patient plodding on 
 was the only method of procedure open to him. Xo 
 journal represented him or his interests either. What 
 
 c 
 
34 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 lie wished to know or make known concerning den- 
 tistry had to be sought for, or made public through the 
 columns of the ordinary medical press. If he looked 
 to the influential members of his profession, he found 
 them at a great distance from him, and became dis- 
 heartened by a feeling of isolation ; if he turned to the 
 opposite side, he could but be disgusted. If circum- 
 stances such as these tended to develop the manly 
 virtues of honest effort and determination, they were 
 none the less disagreeable tO' those who had to accept 
 them ; and not a few felt that anything but dentistry, 
 as a professional pursuit, would be a welcome change. 
 Among those who most keenly felt the failure of the 
 late project, in connection with the Eoyal College of 
 Surgeons, wxre Mr. Arnold Eogers and Mr. Tomes. 
 Whether the latter gentleman sympathised with the 
 young men of that day in their disadvantageous circum- 
 stances or not, one thing is certain, that about that 
 time, or perhaps a little further on, he devoted him- 
 self to the preparation of a course of carefully-con- 
 sidered lectures, which', in his capacity as dental- surgeon 
 to the Middlesex Hospital, he proposed to deliver to the 
 students there. In due course they were given, and 
 not unfrequently to- very sparse audiences, in itself 
 another evidence of the indifference to dental matters 
 which then prevailed. Mr. Tomes had largely availed 
 himself of the use of the microscope in his researches, and 
 the result of his labours was a compendium of most 
 valuable information. Many ideas which had been 
 held by other writers of repute who had preceded him 
 were brought out in a new light altogether, and many 
 new and most important theories were given to the 
 profession when these lectures were published. Their 
 reception by the profession generally, and by the 
 younger members in particular, was a very cordial one ; 
 and not only in this country, but upon the Continent, 
 and also in America, Mr. Tomes' work on Dental 
 Physiology and Surgery was acknowledged to be a well- 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 35 
 
 advanced and carefully-written standard book of refer- 
 ence. It certainly gave a quiet but strong stimulus to 
 scientific investigation on tlie subjects treated, and 
 must be considered as a valuable contribution in tbe 
 direction of true professional progress. The whole scope 
 and tendency of the work was remarkable as a contrast 
 to the trashy productions wdiich were so unblushingly 
 scattered far and wide. Young men found in it a safe 
 and reliable basis on which to work for themselves, 
 while the more difficult points were so treated as to 
 render their comprehension by the student compara- 
 tively easy. Apart from the new facts which histo- 
 logical research had enabled the author to bring for- 
 ward, the distinct advantages arisins^ from the use of 
 " the adapted forceps " which Mr. Tomes had designed, 
 w^ere set forth both in the text, and by means of well- 
 executed illustrations. These same forceps had been 
 the subject of a sharp wordy conflict between Mr. 
 Tomes and the late Mr. Glendon, the latter gentleman 
 having asserted a priority of claim to the design, which, 
 liowever, eventually but signally failed in proof. The 
 publication of Mr. Tomes' work was, perhaps, the most 
 prominent event in the profession between the years 
 1848 and 1854. It very acceptably disturbed the 
 ominous quietude of the profession at that time, and 
 gave evidence that in one at least there was a determi- 
 nation to render real service to the cause of progress, 
 by making use of the best, and the then only, method 
 which remained available, viz., instruction. It can be 
 well seen now that had others, fully competent to impart 
 knowledge, occupied their spare moments in giving the 
 results of their accumulated experience to their co-prac- 
 titioners, or those who were in training for dental prac- 
 tice, instead of standing aloof from the profession as a 
 whole, and to so large an extent from one another, the 
 result would have been a clearing away of many obstacles 
 which lay upon the path of progress. Whether the 
 gentlemen who had endeavoured to rouse the College of 
 
36' DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 Surgeons to give tliem tlie assistance tliey liad sought 
 at their hands on behalf of the profession were watching 
 the course of events, and prepared to act at any moment, 
 is difficult to say. One thing is known, that year after 
 year rolled peaceably on without a sign from high or 
 low, educated and ignorant alike. 
 
 While the dentists of this country were thus slumber- 
 ing, or at any rate inactive, their brethren in America 
 had been organising Dental Colleges for the purpose of 
 properly educating the students who proposed apply- 
 ing themselves to the practice of dentistry proper. The 
 progress which these institutions had akeady made was 
 noticeable, and doubtlessly noticed by many on this side 
 of the Atlantic. It does not fall within the purpose of 
 this work to give even a resume of the rise and advance 
 of the profession in that country. What had been 
 accomplished there was tolerably well known in Eng- 
 land through the medium of the press, although it would 
 be scarcely correct to say that this acquaintance with 
 Transatlantic dentistry generally permeated the pro- 
 fession in Britain. What feeling was shown in the 
 matter was more of a scornful character than otherwise. 
 Very little of the amicable spirit manifested itself, and 
 that possibly arose from insufficient knowledge of the 
 persons themselves, their principles, or their practices. 
 Still, when these same Dental Colleges in America were 
 considered at all, it was only a very natural thing to 
 expect that a wistful, semi-envious feeling, especially 
 among young men, should arise. The question would 
 force itself on the mind, " If these things can be done 
 there, why not similar things in our own style 
 and after our own method here ? " At the best, how- 
 ever, these were but mental exercises. No one seemed 
 to care to take the initiative, even if any one had 
 a scheme to propose, and consequently the same 
 monotonous condition of things continued to prevail. 
 Upon the authority of Mr. Eymer, of Croydon, the 
 statement was made in a pamphlet published by him in 
 
■DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, ^7 
 
 the year 1857, that during the year 1854-55 "the profes- 
 sion appeared to recognise the importance of organisa- 
 tion, and a general desire seemed prevalent that some 
 means of intercommunication of ideas should be estab- 
 lished." There is no doubt that Mr. Eymer had come 
 to know that such was the fact from safe and reliable 
 sources, but it may be safely asserted that the informa- 
 tion he had obtained was by no means general or even 
 largely diffused. The great bulk of the profession at 
 that date was, so far as union even in sentiment was 
 concerned, as far from it as it had ever been. jSTothing 
 of importance appeared to break the long, straight line 
 of the leaden horizon, and "each for himself" was more 
 or less the motto of that epoch. Whatever may have 
 been the purposes and plans in any indi^ddual instance, 
 or whatever great transitions may have been in embryo, 
 it was not until the 25th of August 1855 that any sign 
 of advance was given, or any sound of progress was 
 heard. The first pulsation originated with a letter which 
 Mr. Eymer addressed to the editor of the " Lancet," and 
 published in the columns of that journal. As that 
 letter was the dawn of brighter days, it is but just to 
 transcribe it. 
 
 Necessity for a College of Dental Surgery. 
 
 To the Editor of the " Lancet:' 
 
 Sir, — There are few medical practitioners who have not had 
 come under their notice cases exhibiting the serious consequences 
 resulting from a recourse to the inducements so pertinaciously 
 pressed into public notice by the host of ignorant charlatans 
 practising the specialities of surgery and medicine. In these free- 
 trade days it is not for any particular class of men to claim pro- 
 tection for themselves in the exercise of their vocation, even though 
 they be fitted through great sacrifice of time, trouble, and expense, 
 to alleviate the sulferings and conduce to the comfort of humanity ; 
 yet, when they witness, as the general medical practitioner in 
 common wdth the properly qualified special practitioner com- 
 monly do witness, such calamities as an eye rendered sightless 
 through the maltreatment of a so-called oculist ; the frightful 
 and sometimes irremediable condition of the victim of the quack 
 cancer-doctor ; the total deafness occasioned through the pokings 
 
■38 ' DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 
 
 and dressings of the puffing anrist ; the suffering and loss (l)oth 
 in teeth antl pocket) from the ignorance and extortion of the sup- 
 posed dentist ; and other distressing evils too numerous to men- 
 tion, having their sole origin in the ignorance of impudent 
 pretenders, — when, I say, such calamities are witnessed by duly 
 informed and qualified persons, it becomes at onee their duty and 
 interest to raise a warning voice, to admonish the fvMic at large 
 on the danger of placing themselves in the power of unprincipled 
 and ignorant men. But experience has proved the difficulty o-f 
 arousing the public mind on so important a subject ; too often 
 the warnings of professional men, be they never so wisely given, 
 are disregarded, perhaps from a suspicion that they are prompted 
 by interested motives, whilst the victimised suffering members of 
 society are not willing to expose those by whom they have been 
 duped, for this would involve the necessity of an expose of their 
 folly in being taken in by the promises of impossibilities held 
 out by charlatanism, as well as discovering to their friends and to 
 the world the fact of their being troubled with corns, or of wear- 
 ing false teeth. I can speak from experience as to the roguery 
 (for that is not too strong a word) of a very large number of men 
 who call themselves dentists, but who, in reality, are wholly igno- 
 rant of the surgical anatomy of the mouth and parts adjacent, as 
 well as of the principles (to say nothing of the practice) cf 
 mechanism as applied to dentistry. No wonder such men are the 
 origin of so much disappointment, pain, and, as I l>elieve, death. 
 Now, the Cjuestion arises, How are the public to be saved from 
 the efiects of disreputable practices ? It has been seen that pro- 
 fessional remonstrance does not, as a general rule, avail, and that 
 mauvaise honte seldom permits the victim of the charlatan to 
 expose him. In the United States of America, Colleges of Dental 
 Surgery are established, wherein the students receive a thorough 
 professional education ; and in that country, unless a practitioner 
 has been through the prescribed course of study in one of these 
 colleges, he cannot be looked upon as an orthodox dentist. 
 
 Some few years ago an attempt was made in this country to 
 follow the example of our brethren in America, and to establish 
 a seminary wherein the pupils would have the opportunity of 
 acquiring such knowledge as would entitle them to certificates of 
 qualification ; but, owing to some unfortunate misunderstanding 
 amongst the projectors, this excellent scheme was abandoned. If 
 the College of Surgeons were to appoint a properly-constituted 
 board of examiners, whose duty should be to hold periodical 
 examinations of such candidates as were desirous of obtaining 
 such a distinction, for instance, as might well be termed " Licen- 
 tiate in Dentistry," 1 believe that, on the one hand, the public 
 would be spared a vast amount of injury, and that, on the other, 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 39 
 
 dental surgery would take its just position by tlie side of other 
 liberal professions. The adoption of sucli a course would in no 
 way interfere with the establishment of a Dental College ; on the 
 contrary, such an institution would become almost necessary ; 
 for although the certiticate of apprenticeship to a recognised prac- 
 titioner for at least three years might, perhaps, be deemed sufficient 
 to entitle a pupil to present himself for examination, yet in all 
 cases it would be desirable that a few months should be spent at 
 college. I cannot but think that the question now sought to be 
 brought under the notice of the constituted medical authorities 
 will receive the attentive consideration it so eminently deserves. 
 — I am, sir, yours, &c., Samu.el Lee Etmer. 
 
 This, then, was the stone cast by the hand of a true 
 friend to the profession into the silent if not stagnant 
 waters, the widening circles from which have not yet 
 ceased to expand in the direction of genuine reform. The 
 then effects which this letter produced were of a double 
 nature. Among the majority of the profession it was 
 most favourably received ; the only hesitation on the 
 part of those who were gladdened by it arose from the 
 feeling that the prospect held out by it was too bright to 
 be realised. This was to be attributed to the fact that 
 so little was mutually known of the instincts, as they 
 may be called, of the profession, that mistrust had ample 
 room to work upon the minds of even the most enthusi- 
 astic. The mischievous effects of isolation and estrange- 
 ment were at that moment most keenly and deeply 
 realised by every genuine practitioner. On the other 
 hand, there were those who, considering themselves to 
 be the heads of the profession, could not but feel the 
 stimulating effect of Mr. Eymer's letter, and were 
 aroused sufficiently by it to take action in the matter. 
 The position and influence which these gentlemen 
 claimed were points which were generally admitted, and 
 most justly so too ; therefore they were not matters 
 at all likely to be the subjects of dispute. Numbers, m 
 fact, had, as a matter of course, been quietly and hope- 
 fully expecting them to assume the position to whicli, 
 by their acknowledged attainments, they were most fully 
 entitled. If, indeed, the feelmg of the mass of the pro- 
 
40 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 fession could have been then ascertained, there can be 
 no doubt that it would have taken the form of disap- 
 pomtment that the signal for advance had not emanated 
 from them. Had they but instituted some public method 
 of obtaining the opinion of the bulk of their confreres, 
 there is not the least question as to the result being a 
 willingness, aye, even an eagerness, respectfully to listen 
 to any proposition they might have thought it prudent 
 to make for the general benefit. Unfortunately a spirit 
 obtained amongst them which inclined them to sepa- 
 rate, if not exclusive, action. This can be accounted for 
 by the general demoralisation which existed in the pro- 
 fession. It was no easy thing to lay aside prejudice, 
 and practise self-sacrifice. Apart from this, also, there 
 was the fact that these gentlemen had their own views 
 as to the method by which reform should be essayed. 
 They were, perhaps, fully informed as to the probable 
 difficulties to be encountered, not only from within but 
 also outside the ranks, and it is but reasonable and 
 just to accord to them full credit for a strong desire to 
 see a proper status given to the profession they were 
 themselves practising with so much success. It must 
 never be forgotten that in England the spirit of 
 " caste " is sufficiently pronounced. There is, and 
 always has been, a certain amount of friction when 
 broadcloth and fustian are brought into even momen- 
 tary contact. A due consideration of these and other 
 circumstances, as they then existed, may well account 
 for the position which these gentlemen eventually 
 assumed. That there were difficulties, in whatever 
 aspect the position of things was viewed, will be fully 
 demonstrated further on. Looking back now upon the 
 step which eighteen of these dentists thought proper 
 then to take, a feeling of regret as to the plan em- 
 ployed is unavoidable. Many amongst themselves 
 have doubtless felt that, if the end which has since been 
 attained could have been secured by a public and open 
 appeal to the profession, it would have been infinitely 
 better than the method they pursued. However, it is 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 4 1 
 
 very easy to be wise after tlie event. Mr. Pi\Tiier 
 being pre-eminently a man of energy and action, pro- 
 ceeded to make nse of the columns of the " British 
 Journal of Dental Science " * to reiterate his ^dews con- 
 cerning the establishment of a society of dentists for 
 educational purposes. In the second number of that 
 periodical we find him saying, " I would suggest the 
 immediate organisation of a society of dentists, to meet 
 periodically for the discussion of professional matters 
 generally, but with particular regard to raising the 
 dignity of our body by the establishment of a Dental 
 Collecje." He insertecl in the followincr number of that 
 journal an advertisement, informing all whom it might 
 concern, that he intended to call a public meeting of the 
 profession. The date of this meeting was September 
 22d, 1856, and the London Tavern, Bishopsgate 
 Street, was selected as the most central locality. As 
 may be readily imagined, such an announcement pro- 
 duced many replies. The condition of the profession 
 was well typified in this correspondence. Some 
 writers caught at the opportunity thus afforded them 
 eagerly. Others wished the effort success, but had 
 grave doubts concerning the issue. There were those 
 who thought the state of things, professionally con- 
 sidered, hopeless ; and some, again, were opposed to the 
 project. It need not be added, that many from whom 
 Mr. Eymer might fairly have looked for an opinion did 
 not think it worth while even to notice his proposal. 
 Like a wise administrator, he therefore classified his 
 correspondents, and selecting the men whose ideas, as 
 expressed in their replies, seemed to be most congruous 
 and reliable, he requested their attendance at a pre- 
 liminary meeting at the London Tavern, two days prior 
 to the advertised gathering. This process of weeding 
 out the faint-hearted and the despairing, left Mr. Eymer, 
 on the occasion in question, face to face with the 
 following : — Messrs James Bate, Bradshaw, Brindley, 
 A. Hill, Hockley, W. Perkins, and C. Smith. The 
 * First published July 1856. 
 
42 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 number was not imposing, but there was in it resolution 
 enough and to spare to form a nucleus for the arrange- 
 ment of the meeting on the 2 2d. After the formality 
 wliich always encumbers the first moments, when men 
 w^ho have been hitherto strano-ers to each other meet for 
 the first time, had passed off, Mr. Perkins was called to 
 the chair, he being the senior ; and the business of that 
 quiet little meeting in the City was proceeded with in 
 such a systematic but cordial manner, that all present 
 felt it to be a sort of foreshadowing of success. The 
 description given of it in the " Quarterly Journal of 
 Dental Science" — a publication of which some account 
 will be given in the proper place — is correct. It says, 
 " Those gentlemen, then, w^ho formed this little conven- 
 tion, had ample cause for congratulation ; for although in 
 itself unostentatious enough, it w^as the first stmu in the 
 high wall of isolation loosened and thrown down — the 
 germ of brotherly feelings, which was destined in its 
 growth to eradicate the ancienc spirit of jealousy and 
 distinction which so highly coloured and completely 
 pervaded the dental profession," When the day of 
 meeting arrived, and the large room at the well-known 
 hostlery was filled, it was curious to see the looks of 
 inquiry as to who this and that individual could be, 
 w^hich spoke from the various countenances with silent 
 but unmistakable evidences. It was indeed necessary 
 that the feeling of separation, which had up to that 
 time all but universally obtained, should cease, and that 
 men should henceforth have ample opportunity of know- 
 ing and being known to each other. Mr. Eymer had 
 succeeded in inducing Mr. Alfred Carpenter, M.B., to 
 consent to be present. This gentleman, on Mr Eymer's 
 proposition, was unanimously elected to the chair. And 
 here the question may be asked, " How was it that no 
 leading practitioner took advantage of this evident 
 opportunity for guiding the future destiny of the dental 
 profession ? " It has been asked many times since then, 
 and never without great significance. The materials for 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 43 
 
 manipulation were never more plastic than at that 
 time ; and had some well-known dentist come to the 
 front, he would not have lacked willing and respectful 
 followers. One, perhaps, more than any besides, could 
 have rendered great and imperishable service at this 
 critical moment; that one was Mr. Thomas Bell. 
 Had he been invited ? He had. A letter from him, 
 however, was read, in which he declined to take any 
 part in the evening's engagements. The presidency of 
 the meeting was offered him, but he refused. True, 
 some light showed itself in letters of concurrence from 
 a few men of position. That which, at that time, had 
 the greatest weight was from Mr, JE. Saunders. His 
 letter, however, contained a proviso that certain " men 
 who have leisure and zeal as well as ability " should be 
 got as a nucleus and basis. " This," Mr. Saunders said, 
 "you have probably done; and if so, I shall very 
 willingly give it all the aid and support in my power." 
 It was very evident that what was thought necessary 
 to be done would have to be accomplished by those 
 present, in conjunction with others who had only been 
 prevented attending the meeting by circumstances be- 
 yond their control, but on wdiose sympathy and sup- 
 port reliance might be placed. The preliminary meeting 
 which has been mentioned came to an agreement that 
 the three following resolutions should be submitted to 
 the general meeting, viz. : — 
 
 First, " That it is the opinion of this meeting that the 
 formation of a society of dentists would, by providing 
 opportunities for intercommunication of ideas on matters 
 of professional interest, prove the means of promoting the 
 advancement of dental science in an eminent degree, and 
 also of establishing feelings of brotherly concord amongst 
 members of the profession, and that, therefore, imme- 
 diate steps should be taken to organise such a society." 
 
 Second, " That this meeting, bebeving that the inte- 
 rests of the public as well as of the profession demand 
 that an authorised system of professional education 
 
44 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 and examination should be established, is of opinion that 
 energetic measures should at once be adopted to secure 
 the means necessary to provide these requirements." 
 
 Third, " That a committee be now appointed to con- 
 sider the best means to carry into effect the foregoing 
 resolutions, and to report thereon at a future general 
 meeting of the profession." 
 
 After the chairman's address, Mr. Eymer, who was 
 enthusiastically received, and deservedly so, explained 
 the motives by which he had been actuated in thus 
 inviting the profession to assemble together, and set forth 
 in a clear and lucid manner his personal opinions as to 
 what would best meet the exigencies of the body of 
 dentists at large. His observations unmistakably 
 proved the sincerity of his desire for reform, and the 
 confidence he had concerning the success of the enter- 
 prise. In a very business-like manner the resolutions 
 were then considered. The first was proposed by (the 
 Jate) Mr. E. Thomson, seconded by Mr. P. Matthews, 
 and supported by Mr. W. Perkins, and, despite some 
 few dispiriting remarks from Mr. Coker, when put to 
 the meeting was carried unanimously. The second 
 resolution was proposed by Mr. D. Mackenzie, seconded 
 by Mr. A. Hill, It was at this moment a surprise was 
 given to the meeting by a statement made by Mr. A. 
 Coleman, who said that he believed " several leading 
 members of the profession were more generally inte- 
 rested in the question than was supposed. Several of 
 these, feeling the necessity for a special course of lec- 
 tures for dentists, had laid the matter before the 
 College of Surgeons, and he believed that body was 
 giving their best attention to the subject." This 
 announcement, which was received with astonishment, 
 created in the minds of all present a degree of irrita- 
 tion which appeared ready at one time to develop into a 
 vote of indignation. A spirit was quickly manifested 
 that secret and quietly-coercive measures, from whomso- 
 ever originated, would not be tolerated. The step which 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 45 
 
 had tlius been privately taken by an imautborised few 
 was felt to be so .unconstitutional and ill-advised that 
 the anticipation of its beiQg realised seemed too feeble 
 to be seriously thought of. The resolution before the 
 meeting was then put, and agreed to enthusiastically. 
 Mr. A. Hockley moved and Mr. W. Perkins seconded 
 the tliird resolution ; and the result was that the follow- 
 ing gentlemen were appointed as an executive commit- 
 tee provisionally : — 
 
 Jas. Bate, Briglitoii. 
 
 R. Bradshaw, Camden Town. 
 
 T. Coker, Taunton. 
 
 C. Davey, Lewes. 
 
 C. J. Fox, London. 
 
 W. Harnett, „ 
 
 A. Hill, 
 
 A. Hockley, „ 
 
 H. L. Jacob, Bridgewater. 
 
 J. Jones, London. 
 
 D. Mackenzie, London. 
 P. Matthews, 
 W. Perkins, 
 C. Rogers, 
 
 E, Saunders, 
 C. Stokes, 
 E. H. Tweed, 
 R. Thomson, Camberwell. 
 C. Vasey, London. 
 
 G. J. Watt, Chelsea. 
 R. White, Norwich. 
 
 A, Lows, Carlisle. 
 
 With power to add to their number. 
 S. L. Rymer and A. Hill, Honorary Secretaries. 
 
 It is just to record that at this period of the evening's 
 engagements there was manifested a desire still to have 
 the co-operation of Mr. Thomas Bell in the movement 
 about to be made, and although the wish was expressed 
 by one gentleman present, it was reciprocated by all. 
 So much was this evident, that Mr. E}Tner was con- 
 strained to read the followincf letter from that crentle- 
 man to prove the inutility of hoping for his assistance : — 
 
 "17 New Broad Street, 
 ^^ September 12, 1856. 
 
 " My Dear Sir, — Although I assure you I do not underrate 
 the importance of the object you have in view, I feel that the 
 same reasons which led me to decline to take the chair at the 
 proposed meeting would render my attendance at it equally 
 inconsistent. Permit me to add, that the tone of your letter and 
 the sentiment it expresses make me the more regret that it is not 
 in my power to co-operate with a gentleman whose feelings and 
 motives I must highly appreciate. — Believe me, dear sir, faith- 
 fully yours, Thomas Bell." 
 
46 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 
 
 This note was of course final. After the usual for- 
 malities the meeting separated, with the feeling that 
 there was a real prospect of genuine reform opening out 
 before them. Although a sense of disappointment at 
 the abstention of those who could have rendered power- 
 ful assistance had been experienced, yet those who 
 sincerely desired to see the condition of the profession 
 advanced were by no means daunted, much less dis- 
 mayed. Here was an opportunity for the manifestation 
 and exercise of what money cannot buy, namely, 
 whole-heartedness, with its inevitable sacrifices. There 
 were sturdy spirits in that meeting ; and it was an 
 unspeakable pleasure to them to know that the enterprise 
 did not lean for success on the unstable props of patron- 
 age or pm^se. Had it been so, there would have been 
 the usual patting which generally accompanies the dis- 
 tribution of the surplusage of influential people, or the 
 crude overflow of some plethoric pocket opened, the 
 owner of which desired a little cheap popularity. As 
 it was, the building up of the profession rested on 
 broader bases than bank-notes, or any amount of them, 
 Nothing less than self-denial, energy, tact, prolonged 
 activity, and thorough devotion, and these, too, not in 
 spasms, but in nobly - sustained, disinterested effort, 
 could by any means avail to secure the desired end. 
 The question of that hour was. Could these qualities 
 be found ? and if so, were they to be had in sufficient 
 quantity to be made available to meet the necessities 
 of the case ? Fortunately this question in its double 
 aspect was answerable, and answered immediately, in 
 the affirmative. The demand having been announced, 
 the supply was secured in the first office-bearers, who, 
 as a whole, met with a firm determination to prose- 
 cute their labours with uncompromising consecration. 
 This proved no empty boast, as has been frequently 
 admitted by those who were opposed from the first to 
 their method of procedure. The difficulties in their way 
 were indeed formidable. Shunned by those who could 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 4/ 
 
 have given "both direction and impetus to the thus 
 expressed desire of a large body of dentists for a system 
 of education, they had to push forward as best they 
 could, in what is understood as " the cold shade." 
 Having to manipulate the disjecta memhra of a profession 
 noble in itself, but at that time suffering from empiri- 
 cism and ignorance to a terrible degree, they were called 
 upon to exercise largely tact coupled with conciliation 
 and firmness. Conflicting opinions among the respect- 
 able practitioners had to be delicately weighed, due 
 consideration being given to all. And amongst many 
 other impediments stood out prominently the novelty of 
 the movement which in itself constituted a grave and 
 serious obstacle. The national characteristic of slowness 
 to adopt any new idea manifested itself very plainly, and 
 the more so then as in this case the idea had such far- 
 reaching, if not actually revolutionising, tendencies. 
 Add again to these things the opposition which had 
 been silently and suddenly organised in high places, and 
 connect this with the sluggishness in the minds of some 
 men, ranked as supporters, and the work which lay 
 before this executive committee was by no means con- 
 temptible for its quality or amount. It must be 
 recorded to the honour of these gentlemen, that looking 
 at it so as to embrace it in its entirety, they were not 
 discomfited, but coolly settled down to their task with 
 animation and hope. In Mr. Eymer the committee 
 found one who had thoroughly familiarised himself with 
 the scheme as proposed ; and his unbounded faith in 
 ultimate triumph gTcatly, if not absolutely, disarmed the 
 fear of failure which might have been, and probably 
 was, secretlv workinc^ in the minds of his colleagues 
 who had thought less upon the subject. The charac- 
 teristic necessary to constitute a leader in any cause, 
 namely, the courage of his convictions, he possessed. It 
 is casting no indignity upon Mr. Eymer to say that up 
 to this time he was generally unknown. The fact of 
 liis having been so is a mortifymg proof of the injury 
 
4S DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 isolation had been inflicting for so long upon tlie pro- 
 fession. Those who had met him for the first time at 
 that epoch were pleased to find a brother practitioner 
 whose transparent candour was only equalled by his 
 ardent desire to help forward a thoroughly good cause; 
 and those who still know him have not had one reason 
 for withdrawing or altering their good opinion con- 
 cernins; him. To him belongs the credit of onvinf^ the 
 signal for dental reform to be attempted in such a way 
 as always .commends itself to Englishmen. In a public 
 and thoroughly constitutional manner he had invited 
 the dental profession to come together and discuss the 
 subject of progress by means of acknowledged educa- 
 tional measures, the gist of which by long consideration 
 he was prepared to submit to them. The recognition 
 of all who called themselves dentists, in a matter which 
 concerned the body as such, seemed to him not so much 
 a necessity, perhaps, as a simple, self-evident piece of 
 justice and common sense. That it commended itself 
 to so many pannot be therefore a subject of surprise. 
 The obverse of the medal is • also true. It cannot be 
 too distinctly understood and remembered that no indi- 
 vidual, however exalted his position and great his attain- 
 ments, has not thereby a prescriptive right to frame laws 
 or cause them to be enacted, however beneficent they may 
 be in their conception or effects, without the sanction 
 and approval of his co-practitioners. As a matter of 
 course, the same rule applies to parties, when they are 
 only of numerical strength enough to form a clique or 
 coterie. Xo amount of influence can justify dictation 
 surreptitiously arrived at, neither can titles and degrees 
 be accepted as an excuse for clandestine legislation. 
 The spirit of openness and fair play is happily ingrafted 
 in, or rather forms part of, our national life, and he or 
 they who seek to ignore or violate this principle cannot 
 escape the due measure of reproach which must follow 
 in such cases as by an inevitable natural law. The 
 thorough recognition and adoption of this principle in 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 49 
 
 his procedure fully accounts for the reception of Mr. 
 Kymer, and his plan by the meeting at the London 
 Tavern. There were other members of the profession, 
 however, who chose to set it aside, and these gentle- 
 men have since then been styled " The Memorialists." 
 There can be no doubt that Mr. Eymer's correspon- 
 dence in the public journals had led to the awakening 
 to the need of reform in the minds of these practitioners. 
 In December 1855 they met in private conference, drew 
 up the celebrated " Memorial," appended their signa- 
 tures and despatched it to Lincoln's Inn Fields, while 
 thcK brethren all around, qualified and unqualified 
 alike, were allowed to know nothing of their proceed- 
 ing. 
 
 The following is a copy of the notable document, 
 with its preface, when it was sent forth publicly : — 
 
 "London, Odo6eri856. 
 "The expediency of forming a 'British. Institute of Dental 
 Science,' being at present under consideration amongst certain 
 members of the dental profession, — for the furtherance of their 
 project, and for the support of their professional brethren, it has 
 been thought desirable that it should be made generally known 
 that the following ' Memorial' has been addressed to the Eoyal 
 College of Surgeons, the answer to which has not been given : 
 
 " TO THE PRESIDENT AND COUNCIL OF THE EOYAL COLLEGE OP 
 SURGEONS, LONDON. 
 
 " Gentlemen, — We, the undersigned, feeling that the depart- 
 ment of dental surgery in England, in the absence of any recog- 
 nised qualification, is wanting in that character and position 
 which its importance merits, have consulted together to devise 
 some means whereby a standard of qualification may be estab- 
 lished. Of those w^ho practise dentistry, some have made them- 
 selves members of the CoUeoje of Surgeons, some have obtained 
 the medical degree at the University of London, while others 
 possess that of Edinburgh. But a strictly medical or surgical 
 degree cannot in itself prove that the possessor is familiar with 
 the practice of dental surger}^ Yet the student, feeling the ne- 
 cessity of some sort of recognised qualification, devotes that time 
 to a strictly medical education which should have been shared in 
 acquiring a practical knowledge of dental surgery ; hence it 
 happens that men enter upon their professional career having yet 
 
 D 
 
50 DEXTAL REFORM 2N GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 to learn tliose practical details so essential to their legitimate suc- 
 cess. Very many, however, practise without any medical degree, 
 and among them mav be found some of the most eminent of our 
 practitioners, who, nevertheless, are equally anxious that some 
 standard of qualification should be established. In America 
 tlie necessity of a special course of study was felt, and this led to 
 the establishment of Dental Colleges, where the subjects necessary 
 for the education of a dentist are taught, and the student, at the 
 end of his pupilage, is examined, and if found competent, receives 
 a diploma in testimony of his fitness to practise. These institu- 
 tions send forth into the world year by year numbers of quali- 
 fied dentists who, in virtue of their diplomas, assume a superiority 
 over all other practitioners, and are consequently regarded with, 
 confidence by the public, who reasonably look upon a special 
 qualification as an indication of superior professional merit. 
 Feeling that the time has arrived when it is imperative that some 
 educational course should be instituted, and that an acquaintance 
 with the general principles of surgery, anatomy, and physiology, 
 and an intimate knowledge of such parts of tliose subjects as relate 
 to the region of the mouth, are absolutely necessary to the duly 
 qualified practitioner, we, the undersigned, beg to submit to the 
 president and council of the College of Surgeons, whether an 
 examination in the department of dental surgery, as in midwifery, 
 might not be instituted. The adoption of such a course would, 
 we are sure, prove a great boon to practitioners, and would, at the 
 same time, secure a manifest advantage to the public. 
 
 "(Signed) Samuel Cartwright, F.R.S. 
 John H. Parkinson. 
 John H. Parkinson, Jun., M.R.C.S. 
 Edwin Saunders, F.R.C.S. 
 William M. Bigg. 
 
 Samuel Cartwright, Jun., M.R.C.S. 
 G. A. Ibbetson, M.R.C.S. 
 James Parkinson. 
 John Tomes, F.R.S. 
 H. L. Featherstone, 
 Alfred Canton, M.R.C.S. 
 Robert Nasmtth, M.D., M.R.C.S. 
 J. L. Craigie. F.R.C.S. 
 T. Barrett, M.R.C.S. 
 Arnold Rogers, F.R.C.S. 
 Thomas A. Rogers. M.R.C.S. 
 Hubert Shelley, M.B., London, M.R.C.S. 
 S. James A. Salter, M.B., M.R.C.S., F.L.S." 
 
 A yery dlyiclecl opinion prevailed wlien this statement 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 5 I 
 
 became known, as to the intentions of those who dis- 
 patched it. Some asserted that it was evidently meant 
 for the whole profession, and, therefoi'e, each member 
 might hope to receive a copy, if he had not already had 
 one. Others, and by far the larger number, inclined to 
 believe that it was sent to a few, and to them only as a 
 sort of safety-valve to the credit of openness, at last, 
 of the memorialists. Whatever may have been the in- 
 tention, it is certain that many members of the profes- 
 sion were not in possession of it, and in fact came to 
 know of its existence only when it was mentioned at the 
 public meeting summoned by j\Ir. Eymer, as has already 
 been stated. In his official capacity the author had, 
 of course, to meet with a very large number of dentists, 
 and he is not aware of a sins^le one to whom he wrote or 
 spoke that had a good word to say of this particular 
 action. Even those who were members of the College 
 of Surgeons stigmatised it as an impertinence, they 
 never having been consulted ; while the fact that there 
 were names of unquahfied men attached to the docu- 
 ment made the ignoring of those outside who were quali- 
 fied a still more annoying injustice to bear. Amongst 
 those who, at that time, expressed their strong disappro- 
 bation, the late Mr. C. Clendon was, perhaps, the most 
 prominent. In a letter addressed to the editor of the 
 "Medical Circular," dated ISTovember 1856, that gentle- 
 man undertook to review the agitation which had been 
 produced by the attempts on the part of the promoters 
 of the Dental College, and the signitaries of this obnoxi- 
 ous memorial to the Collesfe of Suro;eons. He wrote 
 incisively, and, as some felt, with dogmatic sourness ; 
 not that he had ever done more to advance the true 
 interests of the profession than others, or was even 
 better known than they. Beyond practising quietly as 
 an educated dentist, Mr. Clendon had no particular 
 claim to be heard by his brethren. However, at this 
 epoch, letter-writing to the medical and other journals 
 prevailed, and this correspondent ventilated his views, 
 
52 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 
 
 altlioiTgli lie took no steps to identify liimself witli 
 either of tliese movements, or to suggest a really practi- 
 cal issue to the matter in hand. He simply contented 
 himself with pulling both men and things to pieces. 
 (The late) Mr. Cartwright " had long been a most able 
 and successful practitioner, but he never had any pro- 
 fessional training." (The late) Mr. A. Eogers, F.E.C.S., 
 was " a most successful practitioner, a worthy man and 
 universally respected ; but there," says Mr. Clendon, " I 
 must stop : I never heard of anything lu had done to 
 advance science, to extend knowledge, or to further the 
 interests of Ms profession." This was " damning with 
 faint praise." But the College of Dentists in embryo, 
 with its provisional committee quietly performing its 
 appointed work in preparing a report to be submitted to 
 the next proposed meeting of the profession, was not 
 animadverted upon so much in this letter of Mr. Clen- 
 don's as the proposed Odontological Society. As has 
 already been stated, the memorial of the eighteen practi- 
 tioners had been sent in to the Eoyal College of Surgeons 
 in December 1855. This document was taken charge of 
 and presented formally by Mr. James Moncriefi" Arnott. 
 Throus^h the influence of Mr. Tomes, the interest of this 
 gentleman had been enlisted in the direction of forming 
 a dental department of the College of Surgeons, and his 
 powerful influence and advocacy were from time to time 
 brought to bear in ventilating the views of those who 
 advanced the opinion of the necessity of such a union 
 between surgery and dentistry as one of its specialties. 
 Mr. Arnott well knew the immense difficulties of the 
 case, and gave his intimate friend, Mr, Tomes, to under- 
 stand that no speedy solution favourable to his views 
 could be consistently hoped for ; but, as time and oppor- 
 tunity served, he courageously advanced the subject 
 from his own place at the council table. Altogether 
 this was a very fortunate occurrence for that portion of 
 the profession who, for the sake of distinction, may be 
 called the " orthodox " party. Mr. Arnott's quiet saga- 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 53 
 
 city enabled him to deal in a masterly manner with the 
 complexities of the subject ; his experience had also led 
 him to see the desirability of having really capable men 
 to practise this branch of surgery ; and while his pre- 
 dilections leaned to an unostentatious but distinct step 
 in the dhection of professional improvement, his exalted 
 rank among surgeons and acknowledged worth gave him 
 the most excellent opportunities of trying to secure all 
 the advanta^res which would be sure to accrue throucrh 
 well-directed educational measures. The result of Mr. 
 Arnott's introducing the subject at Lincoln's Inn Fields 
 had been the " Memorial " with the names of the eis^hteen 
 signitaries attached. "WTiile this paper was lying at the 
 College of Surgeons, the memorialists agreed to con- 
 stitute themselves into a scientific society. This, how- 
 ever, was not done without much cogitation and many 
 meetiuG^s, all of which maintained their orio-inal character 
 of privacy. At length a notice appeared from Mr. 
 Eymer in the public press that the second meeting of 
 the profession, to be publicly convened as before, would 
 be held on Tuesday, November nth, 1856; and on the 
 day when this was announced, the profession was made 
 aware that the day previous (Xovember loth) the Odon- 
 tological Society was formed. The significant fact that 
 this society was born just one day (by date) prior to 
 that when the efi'ort being made to organise the pro- 
 fession, by a publicly instituted educational method, 
 was advertised to take form, created minorled feelinos of 
 surprise and mirth in the minds of numbers of the 
 profession, while others saw in it a stroke of diplomacy, 
 brought about by the increasing pressure of those steps 
 which had been taken in the broad light of day. In 
 Mr. Clendon's communication to the journals of the 
 day, he stated both institutions to be comjiosed of 
 " heterocreneous materials." The idea of a Dental 
 CoUecje was condemned as "of American oriijin" — as 
 though, forsooth, that would be utter obloquy; and 
 then a sarcastic remark or two concernin.sj the "col- 
 
54 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 
 
 leges/' " professors," and " degrees " of our Transatlantic 
 brethren. " The Transactions of the Baltimore College 
 of Dental Surgeons " came in for their share of oppro- 
 brium, being stigmatised as unsatisfactory both in their 
 scientific and literary aspects. So far as the proposed 
 institute or college was concerned, all sorts of dark 
 clouds and unpropitious circumstances — according to 
 this writer's opinion — attended it. It was begun at an 
 improper time of the year. Some names of eminent 
 men were stated as connected with it, but these were 
 soon withdrawn. Difficulties were already thick upon 
 its path as to what constituted respectability, &c,, &c. ; 
 uncanonical conduct was analysed, and then defined 
 as a matter of taste, rather than morals ; and, in fact^ 
 out of the attempts to improve the profession, Mr. 
 Clendon was unable to extract a single grain of hope. 
 Allowing the naturalness of the desire on the part of 
 the great majority of dentists who were without legal 
 qualification to have a college where " they could sever- 
 ally display their profound anatomical knowledge and 
 announce their physiological discoveries," he proceeded 
 to assume the prophet's garb and vocation concerning 
 it. An analysis of the difficulties attending the fitness 
 for membership followed, and a sharp stroke about 
 respectability. Comparing the poor but worthy prac- 
 titioner with his richer brethren, he confessed that if 
 the latter should enter into judgment with the former, 
 the " til quoque " could be appropriately uttered. Speak- 
 ing of the advertiser, Mr. Clendon said, "He may 
 instance magnates and the ' Morning Post,' and eminent 
 practitioners, with their shilling and sixpenny 'Five 
 Minutes' Advice' indiscriminately distributed." The 
 imminence of failure which hung over the College of 
 Dentists extorts a sigh of regret; and with a hint, 
 merely, of that which might be done, if certain men 
 could be got to do certain things, which human nature 
 has generally found to be very difficult, it was dismissed. 
 But with regard to the Odontological Society Mr. 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 55 
 
 Clendon liad mucli more to say. Its founders were 
 " the remnant of former dinner-parties ; " their method 
 of commencing it was culpable ; the pretence set forth 
 in the prospectus was "a false one." The president 
 was chosen " at the private meeting of a few friends," 
 &c. Mr. Clendon also prophesied about this society 
 thus : " Of this I am quite sure, a society commenced 
 so insidiously, not to say under false pretences, and 
 founded on injustice, can never prosper; foes will 
 spring up within as well as without." The promoters 
 of it were even made to soliloquise after the following 
 fashion : '' We, who have memorialised the Collecre of 
 Surgeons, praying for education and a diploma, on the 
 pretext that we were rej^resenting the general feeling of 
 the profession, proceed to form ourselves into a irrixate 
 society, to elect ourselves its officers, and admit whom 
 we please. And, although our plan of secret organi- 
 sation, and admission of none but personal friends to 
 conferences, by which we are seeking to govern our 
 whole fraternity, may appear 'somewhat invidiov.s' we 
 are too well aware that we are outrao-ino- rather than 
 representing general feeling to hope for success by any 
 other means." With such remarks he filled up a very 
 long letter, casting on every side criticisms of the 
 keenest kind, sparing none, and producing in the minds 
 of the readers generally the very disagreeable idea that 
 they were reading the sentiments of a self-inflated but 
 sour-tempered man, who was out of humour with every- 
 one else but himself. Mr. Clendon was very vexed 
 with the promoters of the Odontological — or, as he 
 termed it, "the dinner-party" — Society, and, indeed, said 
 so in the following unmistakable terms : " I had already 
 expressed much indignation on learning these proceedings 
 from private sources, but after this public avowal I felt 
 it my duty publicly and most emj^hatically to protest 
 against them." In the matter of protest, as has already 
 been said, this "^Titer was by no means alone, although, 
 perhaps, few endorsed all the sentiments he expressed. 
 
56 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 His opinions were framed upon those of such men as 
 Mr. Bell and the late Mr. STasmyth, and therefore it 
 was no strange thing to hear him advocating the neces- 
 sity of every dentist becoming a full surgeon. He 
 himself was a member of the Eoyal College of Surgeons, 
 and lecturer on dental surgery at the Westminster 
 Hospital. It was but natural, therefore, that he should 
 speak highly of his alma mater. Eventually Mr. Clendon 
 collected his letters, together with the correspondence 
 they had produced, and published the whole in the form 
 of a pamphlet, entitled, " Letters and Papers on the re- 
 cent Dental Movement, with Eemarks upon the Present 
 anomalous State of the Dental Profession." * His re- 
 marks, however, produced no effect beyond that which 
 was felt to be true of others besides himself at that 
 juncture of affairs, namely, that it was easier to criticise 
 than create. The tide of feeling ran strongly in various 
 channels on one basilar subject — the proper proficiency 
 to practise. Some advocated the full curriculum of the 
 College of Surgeons ; others, that the amount of know- 
 ledge necessary to constitute membership with the Col- 
 lege of Surgeons was over and above that which den- 
 tists, as such, required. The importance of sound 
 mechanical instruction — on the score of dentists being 
 art-practitioners — was insisted upon in one direc- 
 tion; and the separation of the mechanical from the 
 surgical or operative portion of dental practice in an- 
 other. The combination of the two departments con- 
 stituted the perfection of dentistry in some men's esti- 
 mation ; while the mention of the laboratory appeared 
 to be positive defilement with others. To those gentle- 
 men who, mth a very legitimate pleasure and pride, 
 laid stress upon the addition of M.E.C.S. to their names, 
 was opposed the fact that in numberless instances sur- 
 geons made shameful blunders in the treatment of dis- 
 eases of the teeth and oral cavity. Such were some of 
 the difficulties besetting and obstructing reform at that 
 * Webster & Co., Piccadilly, 1857. 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 57 
 
 time ; to mention them all would simply extend the pre- 
 sent volume to an unnecessary length. To summarise, 
 then, we find that at the close of the year 1856, a deter- 
 mination had been displayed in two different directions 
 to seek to elevate the dental profession by educational 
 measures. With the larger body of practitioners en- 
 gaging in the work, the result was sought for throucjh 
 the instrumentality of open public meetings, to which 
 the entire profession was invited to come. With the 
 smaller but more influential body, the adoption of the 
 private and exclusive course was taken. The former 
 maintained the necessity and greater usefulness of an 
 independent institution ; the latter asked for an incor- 
 poration with and consequent dependence upon the 
 Eoyal College of Surgeons. The profession had at last 
 been stirred throughout the three kingdoms, and an op- 
 portunity having thus been afforded for the free expres- 
 sion of opinions on the important matter of dental 
 reform, this was eagerly caught at by men of all ranks, 
 the result being mental conflict and collision to a very 
 considerable degree. Although the two main parties 
 were prominent all through, the confusion of strife was 
 the more palpable from the division and subdivision of 
 opinion upon many subjects wliich, as a whole, formed 
 the general idea of progress. It needed cool heads and 
 experienced hands to direct matters, and so manipulate 
 the material as to bring order and harmony out of the 
 chaos that then abounded. The provisional committee 
 appointed at the first public meeting of the profession 
 for considering the best method of practically carrying 
 out the resolutions which had then been passed had, for 
 a period extending to some six weeks, assiduously prose- 
 cuted their labours. They were prepared to make their 
 report on the nth of ISTovember 1856, and, accordingly, 
 due notice was given to the profession that a public meet- 
 ing — this time to be held at the Freemasons' Tavern — 
 would be convened on the evening of that day. The 
 memorialists, too, had not been idle, for they had so 
 
58 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 arranged tlieir affairs as to be able to announce the forma- 
 tion of the Odontological Society, as has been seen, 
 on the lOth of the same month. As chronology is an 
 important feature in this history, precedence must there- 
 fore be accorded to the newly-formed society. The 
 following is the text of the announcement concerning 
 
 The Odontological Society. 
 
 At a meeting, lield November loth, 1856, a society for the 
 encouragement of knowledge in dental surgery, entitled the 
 " Odontological Society," was formed, and the following officers 
 and council were appointed. The meetings, for the discussion 
 of professional subjects and the election of members, will be held 
 on the first Monday in each month, excepting September and 
 October. The first meeting will be held in January next ; the 
 hour and place of meeting will be duly advertised. 
 
 Presidejit — Samuel Cart weight, Esq., F.E.S. 
 Vice-Presidents — J. H. Parkinson, Esq. ; Arnold Eogers, 
 Esq., F.RC.S. 
 
 Treasurer— Et)-^!-^ Saunders, Esq., F.R.C.S. 
 
 Council — H. J. Barrett, Esq., M.R.C.S. ; William M. Bigg, 
 Esq. ; Alfred Canton, Esq., M.R.C.S. ; G. A. Ibbetson, Esq., 
 M.R.C.S. ; R. Nasmyth, M.D., M.R.C.S. ; James Parkinson, 
 Esq. ; John H. Parkinson, Esq., M.R.C.S. ; S. James Salter, 
 Esq., M.B., M.R.C.S. ; Hubert Shelley, Esq., M.B., M.R.C.S. 
 
 Honorary Secretaries — Samuel Cartwright, Jun., Esq., 
 M.R.C.S. ; John Tomes, E.R.S. ; Thomas A. Rogers, Esq., 
 M.R.C.S. 
 
 In accordance with the general feeHng of the profession that 
 a society of dentists should be formed, capable of supporting 
 itself on an equality with other learned societies in this country, 
 a meeting was convened in November 1855. It was then pro- 
 posed by the undersigned members of the profession to memo- 
 rialise the Royal College of Surgeons on the necessity which 
 existed for some recognised qualification for those practising 
 this specialty of surgery. This suggestion was carried into 
 effect ; and on nth December 1855, an appeal to the College was 
 made, stating the great benefit the public would receive, and 
 the advantage which would accrue to the profession generally, 
 if a diploma were granted to those who passed an examination 
 in this branch of the medical science. This important measure 
 being thus in abeyance, it was deemed by the memorialists desir- 
 able to commence, •^^dthout further delay, the operations of the 
 society. At a meeting held for this purpose in November 1855, 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 59 
 
 the bye-laws for the society were framed on the model' of those 
 of existing medical societies ; it was also determined that invita- 
 tions shonld be sent to those members of the profession who 
 were either personally known to the memorialists or were 
 deemed anxious to promote the well-being of the society. This 
 plan of selecting from among so many who are eligible wonld 
 appear somewhat invidious, but the absolute necessity of securing 
 at the outset a working body, the feeling of which would be 
 unanimous, seemed to demand that certain limits should be 
 placed upon the selection. It is believed that, by the means 
 adopted, a nucleus will be formed, including the names of many 
 gentlemen well known in the profession, capable of embracing 
 ultimately within its circle all those who may desire to devote 
 their attention to the objects comprehended by the society. 
 
 (Signed) Samuel Cart weight, F.E.S. 
 John H. Parkinson. 
 John H. Parkinson, Jun., M.R.C.S. 
 Edwin Saunders, F.R.C.S. 
 William M. Bigg. 
 
 Samuel Cartwright, Jun., M.E.C.S. 
 G. A. Ibbetson, M.R.C.S. 
 James Parkinson. 
 John Tomes, F.R.S. 
 H, J. Peatherstone. 
 Alfred Canton, M.R.C.S. 
 Robert Nasmtth, M.D., M.R.C.S. 
 J. L. Craigie, P.R.C.S. 
 H. J. Barrett, M.R.C.S. 
 Arnold Rogers, F.R.C.S. 
 Thomas A. Rogers, M.R.C.S. 
 Hubert Shelley, M.B., London, M.R.C.S. 
 S. James A. Salter, M.B., M.R.C.S., F.L.S. 
 
 The laws by wRicb. the society was to be regulated 
 were printed, and a copy of them ajopeared in the 
 ''British Journal of Dental Science," in the number 
 for December 1856. The statement thus made public 
 did not tend to allay the irritation which had been 
 very generally produced. To a large number of highly 
 respectable practitioners the step taken by the gen- 
 tlemen who had been the promoters of the society 
 appeared both selfish and unjust. There was literally 
 no valid reason why certain picked and selected dentists 
 should combine and institute tliis or any other society in 
 
60 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 such an absolutely private and clandestine manner. 
 There were practitioners, members of the Eoyal College 
 of Surgeons, occupying excellent positions in the pro- 
 fession, who had never been consulted in this important 
 matter, who felt keenly the affront to them by their 
 non-recognition, qualified as they assuredly were to 
 give an opinion or act upon the staff. In more than 
 one instance the author had, subsequently, to listen to 
 expressions of the deepest indignation concerning this 
 transparent partiality. The originators of the Odonto- 
 logical Society had evidently felt the injustice of the 
 position they had assumed towards this class of their 
 ''confreres,'' and admitted it in their circular, but 
 the apology there offered was insufficient to appease 
 the irritation. There w^as another class of practi- 
 tioners who, although not cliplome, had nevertheless 
 earned for themselves an undeniable position, and 
 seeing that the signitaries of the celebrated circular 
 were not all holders of medical degrees, they also 
 had just cause for feeling aggrieved. Many excellent 
 dentists asked the question, and justly enough, why 
 they had been passed over, and their existence as dental 
 practitioners totally ignored ? In their case, as well 
 as the former, the idea of " selecting," as adopted by 
 the founders of the society, pressed unjustly and with 
 hardness. Seeing they with many others had never 
 been consulted or even permitted to know of what was 
 going forward, the excuse of the projectors that they 
 wished to commence the society with unanimity of 
 feeling and opinion was simply invalid. The plan 
 which had been adopted had evidently been founded 
 in a serious mistrust of the profession generally. Those 
 who had thus united were more or less personally known 
 to each other, and the accord which they sought for and 
 arrived at was purchased at a very heavy price. The 
 general mass of dentists, while they could not have ex- 
 pected to be taken into the inner chamber of confidence 
 of the magnates of the profession, had nevertheless an 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 6 1 
 
 andoTibted right to expect to be treated in a way wliicli 
 would ensure their recognition. They accordingly did 
 not fail to grumble both publicly and privately, and 
 in general condemned the action of the Odontologists 
 as unconstitutional and un-English, as indeed it was. 
 Whatever had been the course of reasoning;* wliich led 
 up to the decision of exclusive action, the result on the 
 minds of the large majority of dentists was certainly a 
 very distinct disapproval of the same. 
 
 The first meeting of the Odontological Society was 
 held on January 5th, 1857, at the house of Mr. vSaunders, 
 No. 32A George Street, Hanover Square. Up to then, 
 although it had found for itself " a name," it had not 
 secured, as a permanency, " a local habitation." In the 
 opening address of Mr. Cartwright, the president, as 
 was, of course, to be expected, allusion was made to 
 the reasons which had actuated the gentlemen who had 
 originated it. The following are the words employed 
 touching the celebrated "Memorial," which may be 
 termed the foundation-stone of the enthe proceeding: 
 "It was not thought necessary by those who pre- 
 pared this memorial to procure to it the signatures of all 
 the leading members of the profession, as the memorial 
 contained only a suggestion for the consideration of the 
 members of the council of the Collesre, which, if enter- 
 tained by them, will be submitted for the approval of 
 our profession. Circumstances, however, connected with 
 medical politics have hitherto prevented the College of 
 Surgeons from giving a definite reply to this requi- 
 sition; but I believe I may say that the subject is 
 favourably entertained by many, if not by most, of the 
 members of the council. No other feeling guided those 
 who prepared and signed this memorial than an earnest 
 desire to benefit their profession, and a sincere convic- 
 tion that a recognised connection with the College of 
 Surgeons is best calculated to raise the status of the 
 dentist to an equality with other medical practitioners, 
 and rescue our profession from the anomalous position 
 
62 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 
 
 it has hitherto held." In explanation of how the society 
 had come to he originated, Mr. Cartwright said — " The 
 memhers of the dental profession have hitherto kept 
 aloof from one another, and retained in exclusiveness the 
 modes and peculiarities of private practice. The want 
 of a point of union among its members, where subjects 
 interesting to the whole body of educated practitioners 
 might be introduced and freely discussed for the mutual 
 benefit of all, and through which the contributions 
 to dental literature at present scattered through the 
 pages of medical journals, and often lost to those to 
 whom they are most interesting, might be collected so 
 as to form an instructive and available library for 
 reference, has long been felt. The necessity of such a 
 union, generally acknowledged, but never carried out, 
 has given rise to the formation of the Odontological 
 Society. Founded on the basis of other scientific 
 societies, it, like them, originated with one or two, and 
 has been organised by several — the gentlemen applied 
 to to form it being those who had signed the memorial 
 to the College of Surgeons. These formed themselves- 
 into a society, and out of their number appointed 
 officers and a council for the first year. Having 
 arranged the bye-laws for the governance of the society, 
 it was then determined to invite a limited number of 
 town and country practitioners to join it, so as to secure, 
 from the first, a sufficient number of members for the 
 purpose of carrying out the objects of the society, pre- 
 vious to throwing it open to the profession at large for 
 admission in the ordinary mode by ballot — a plan iDorne 
 out by the early history of every society on the model 
 of which the present is based. Such limitation of 
 invited members was found absolutely necessary, and 
 was made without the sliditest intention of creating 
 any invidious distinction, it being evident that the 
 names selected could not be considered as representing 
 all the gentlemen who rank high in the profession, 
 there being many not included who are equally respected, 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 6^ 
 
 as intelligent practitioners, as. any among those to 
 whom the invitation to join the society. was sent." This 
 official announcement was such a lame apology, that 
 if it did not actually increase and intensify the annoy- 
 ance so generally prevalent, certainly gave satisfaction 
 to none but the few who composed the society itself. 
 Thus, however, was the Odontological Society started. 
 It emanated from the decision of eighteen dental j^rac- 
 titioners, first to memorialise the Eoyal College of 
 Surgeons to take action in the direction of professional 
 reform by organising a dental department in connection 
 W'ith it; and while this important subject was being 
 considered by the council of the College, these same 
 gentlemen met at each others' houses, as occasion 
 offered, and proceeded to form a scientific society bear- 
 ing the above name. There has never been a doubt 
 as to the deep interest which the memorialists took 
 in regard to the profession, and the sincerity of their 
 motives in thus taking action in the matter. 'None 
 could have felt more painfully than they the condition 
 of the profession they were practising. It might, per- 
 haps, be advanced, none so much, considering the 
 position of several of them in it. But what made this 
 step so unpalatable to the general body was the secrecy 
 which had characterised the entire undertaking, and 
 the painfully invidious distinctions they had ventured 
 to make between men of equal eminence with them- 
 selves. Even the success, which, as a rule, has attended 
 the society, has not been sufficient to obliterate the 
 remembrance of the unauthorised and sudden patronage 
 which it was felt had been extended to the mass of 
 practitioners of dentistry, not only in London, but 
 throughout the pro\dnces of the three kingdoms. It 
 is not to be wondered at that many letters appeared 
 denouncing, not so much the scheme itself, as the 
 method employed to consummate it ; and that more 
 verbal expressions — to be likened to " curses not loud 
 but deep" — were heard from time to time as the 
 
64 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 meetings of dentists gave opportunity for utterance. 
 It must not be forgotten, however, that a very large 
 number of practitioners objected to connection with 
 the College of Surgeons ''toto ccelo!' To the steps 
 taken by these gentlemen — whose name, in compari- 
 son with the handful comprising the Odontologi- 
 cal Society, was " legion " — we must now return. The 
 dentists who were willing to follow the leadership 
 of Mr. Eynier, together with the profession generally, 
 received a public notice of the preparedness of the 
 provisional committee, instituted at the first general 
 meeting, to deliver their report. The meeting for this 
 purpose, as has been stated, was summoned for the nth 
 of November 1856, at the Freemasons' Tavern. In the 
 interval which had elapsed since the first gathering of 
 the profession, the provisional committee had drawn up 
 a code of regulations which they called " suggested 
 rules," and a copy of these was forwarded to every 
 known member of the profession, accompanied by a cir- 
 cular signed by the two honorary secretaries, Mr. Eymer 
 and Mr. Alfred Hill, and which contained the following 
 questions : " First, Do the resolutions, of which the en- 
 closed is a copy, meet your approval ? Second, Are the 
 rules suggested in accordance with your views ? and if 
 so. Should it be determined at a future general meeting 
 of the profession to form the society to which they have 
 reference, would you be a supporter of it ? " A very 
 large response was the result of tliis, many of the 
 replies containing suggestions of considerable value. 
 The committee duly consulted over the whole corre- 
 spondence, and drew up for presentation at the forthcom- 
 ing meeting a set of " amended suggested rules." * In 
 anticipation of the meeting, the writer had been deputed 
 to obtain a chairman. He visited during two whole 
 days several members of the profession for this pur- 
 pose, but was unsuccessful in every instance. Many 
 cogent reasons were adduced by these gentlemen for 
 * See Appendix A. 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 6 
 
 their non-acceptance of the post. Such, indeed, was 
 the then condition of things, that a most disheartening 
 unwillingness to venture into anything like a prominent 
 position seemed to prevail universally. Last upon the list 
 of the names which had been selected was that of Mr. 
 James Robinson of Gower Street, Bedford Square. The 
 interview, which took place in the presence of Mr. Eobin- 
 son's partner, Mr. Thomas Underwood, was marked by 
 great courtesy by both those gentlemen, but the former 
 quickly perceived " the situation," and he duly estimated 
 the position in which he had been placed by being asked 
 in this matter last of all. It was evident to him that 
 the failures hitherto made in the attempt to secure the 
 services of a chairman for the forthcoming meeting had 
 produced a crisis. The question in his mind was, " Was 
 there any sufficient reason existing why he should be 
 made use of for the solution of the difficulty?" He 
 thought there was not, and said so. Although Mr. Eobin- 
 son's refusal was distinct, it was not final. At the earnest 
 solicitation of the writer he consented to think the subject 
 over, and gave permission for another inter^dew. Tliis 
 was to have taken place on the following day, but, 
 through the pressure of Mr. Eobinson's engagements, it 
 could not be effected. The pen was called into requi- 
 sition where the person could not avail. An appoint- 
 ment was given, the interview took place, and after a 
 considerable struggle Mr. Eobinson at length agreed to 
 take the chair, in answer to the committee's request. 
 It was very essential that this post should be occupied 
 by a gentleman of position and influence among his 
 brother practitioners, and these two necessary C[ualifi- 
 cations Mr. Eobinson possessed. In the conversations 
 which had taken place, the objects and aims of Mr. 
 Eymer's moA^ement were fully stated to him, and 
 he not only grasped them in their scope and entirety, 
 but they seemed very completely to meet his own 
 views in the direction of dental reform. When 
 the committee m.et to arrange for the public meeting, 
 
 E 
 
66 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 there was a very considerable amount of gratification 
 evinced in the result obtained with Mr. Eobinson. A 
 very large number of the profession, some two hundred 
 or more, assembled at the Freemasons' Tavern on the 
 iith of November. The announcement of the chair- 
 man's name by Mr. Eymer elicited loud applause. His 
 opening speech was practical, humorous, and to the 
 point. The " amended suggested rules " formulated by 
 the provisional committee were discussed seriatim with 
 business-like zeal, and in their altered form agreed upon; 
 the committee, by a unanimous vote, being empowered 
 to proceed to form a society, according to the resolutions 
 which had been passed. At this stage of the proceed- 
 ings it was determined, mainly through the suggestions 
 of Mr. Eobinson, that provisions should be made for 
 dentislis' assistants in the society or institute, so that 
 this important department might be made partaker of 
 the benefits to arise from^ the union and consolidation of 
 the profession. To this end a circular was addressed to 
 them^ of which the following is a copy : — 
 
 " To Dentists' Assistants, 
 " Gentlemen, — From circumstances which have transpired, 
 the committee at present organising a Dental Society or Institute 
 consider it a duty to so- large and respectable a body that the 
 advantages of membership with this society should be laid before 
 them. It is proposed, then, that all gentlemen now acting as 
 assistants to dentists be received as associate members at half the 
 entrance fee and half the annual subscription of full members ; 
 that such membership shall entitle them to all the uses and privi- 
 leges of full membership, except that of voting for the election of 
 council or the admission or introduction of full members ; that 
 as soon as such associates commence practice upon their own 
 account they be eligible for admission as full members. Under 
 these circumstances, the undersigned will be glad to receive 
 names at once — the list closing 13th day of December next. 
 
 " Charles James Fox, ] 
 
 " Alfred Hill, > Honorary Secretaries." 
 
 ^' Samuel Lee Rymer, ) 
 
 This step was a manifest evidence of the desire which 
 the committee felt to make the Dental Institute as 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 6/ 
 
 comprehensive as possible in its foundation and design, 
 and was a strong contrast to the sentiments, so far as 
 they had been made known, of the Odontological 
 Society. The result of this appeal was a large and 
 acquiescent reply. The next public meeting was con- 
 vened at the Freemasons' Tavern on the i6th of Decem- 
 ber to receive the report of the committee, who in the 
 meantime had been diligently proceeding with their 
 labours, and had drawn up a code of regulations called 
 " laws and constitutions." ^ The chair on this occasion 
 was occupied by Mr. Donaldson Mackenzie. The objects 
 of the meeting, which was again numerously attended, 
 were set forth in the chairman's address ; and Mr. 
 Eymer,. who felt strongly on the matter of open discus- 
 sion at all times, constantly maintaining its necessity, 
 explained that, although the committee had been 
 empowered to frame the society's . laws, they had 
 resolved to submit those which they had drawn up to 
 the consideration of the meeting, to ensure a full expres- 
 sion from the gentlemen present. Each law was there- 
 fore discussed seriatim, and after the free expression of 
 those who chose to offer opinions or suggest alterations, 
 the whole were adopted. The following is a list of the 
 ofl&cer-bearers elected on the occasion : — 
 
 President — James Eobixson', Esq. 
 
 Vice-Fre&idents — Axdrew Clark, Esq., London ; Samuel 
 CoRBETT, Esq., Dublin ; F. B. Imlagk, Esq., Edinburgh ; 
 Norman Kixg, Esq., Exeter ; James Louis Oxlet, Esq., 
 Leeds ; Egbert Eeid, Esq., Edinburgh ; E. H. Thomsox, Esq., 
 Glasgo-w ; Somerset Tibbs, Esq., Cheltenham. 
 
 Council — Wm. Cramptex, Esq. ; "W. L. Caxton, Es«[. ; James 
 Harlet, Esq. ; Egbert Hepburx, Esq. ; William Huxt, Esq., 
 Yeovil ; Henry 'Lgng Jacob, Esq., Bridge water ; W. H. 
 Lintgtt, Esq. ; Donaldson Mackenzie, Esq. ; James Merry- 
 weather, Esq. ; J. W. Mitchell, Esq. ; J. B. Murphy, Esq., 
 Derby ; Adam Thomson, Esq. ; Thomas L'nderwgod, Esq. 
 
 Treasurer — Peter Matthews, Esq. 
 
 Honorary Secretaries— Crawled James Fox, Esq. ; Alfred 
 Hill, Esq. ; Samuel Lee Eymer, Esq. 
 
 * See Appendix, B. 
 
6S DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 The duties of tke three Honorary Secretaries were thus 
 apportioned : 
 
 Mr. Fox — Library and Museum. 
 
 Mr. Hill — General Correspondence on College Business. 
 
 JMr. RYiiER — Conmunications in reference to the Council. 
 
 Under the title of the College of Dentists of England, 
 then, an amalgamated society of dentists practising in 
 the three kinsjdoms was founded. The idea of such an 
 institution originated with Mr. Eymer ; and that gentle- 
 man having surrounded himself with many of his 
 brother practitioners, had, with their assistance, in a 
 very practical and always open and public manner, 
 thus formed a nucleus from which expansion and 
 advance could most fairly be anticipated. The result 
 thus attained gave veiy great satisfaction to a large 
 majority of town and provincial dentists ; and numbers, 
 who had either never had hope of unity in the profes- 
 sion, or having felt it had suffered it to die, now looked 
 forward to the future with eager anticipation. It is 
 diihcult for the present generation of dentists, especially 
 the younger members, to realise the sentiments which 
 had thus been produced. From a state of disorganisa- 
 tion and estrangement, the profession had by a double 
 effort, very like a spasm, emerged into a condition of 
 plasticity and preparation for improvement beneath the 
 manipulative administration of men of mark on the one 
 hand, or of such who, though less known, were chosen 
 from and by themselves, and intrusted with the powers 
 of leadership and direction. The two institutions aimed 
 at one object, namely, the elevation of the dental pro- 
 fession to its proper position among kindred scientific 
 bodies. The instrumentalities proposed to be used were 
 the same in each instance, and may be summed up 
 in one word — Education. Only in the matter of its 
 source and application did they differ ; but this differ- 
 ence was of so radical a character as to keep the two 
 institutions apart from each other, not only by a sharp, 
 well-defined line of separation, but by a considerable 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 69 
 
 distance also. It was evident tliat rivalry would become 
 the order of the day, and this expectation was fully 
 and speedily realised. While the Odontological Society 
 leaned towards and depended upon the influence which 
 name and position usually supply, and had demon- 
 strated their trust in this direction by secret action in 
 the establishment of their society, the College of Dentists 
 of England looked to overwhelming numbers rather 
 than name, and from the very first courted publicity, 
 shrinking from any and everything which savoured of 
 the clandestine or suggested a ruse. 
 
 In the first president of the Odontological Society 
 was seen a gentleman who, by natural gifts of a very 
 high order, had elevated himself to the pinnacle of his 
 profession, and was conducting a large and exceedingly 
 lucrative practice. The name of Cartwright had been 
 for many years, perhaps, the best-known name, not only 
 in England, but in Europe. His great skill as a dentist 
 had earned for him an enormous fame ; and although 
 not a member of the Eoyal College of Surgeons, he had 
 obtained the coveted prize of Fellow of the Eoyal 
 Society, than which no higher scientific distinction in 
 this country exists. 
 
 Given to hospitality, and able to dispense it in a 
 princely style, Mr. Cartwright had been long in the 
 habit of surroundinsj himself with the celebrities in 
 literature, science, and art; and at his re-unions, the 
 greatest and most illustrious men in these departments 
 were to be seen. The noble and wealthy flocked to his 
 consulting-room to seek his advice and skill, and his 
 name and reputation had been and still were very 
 great. At the time of his acceptiag the presidency of 
 the new society, Mr. Cartwright was not entirely in 
 active professional life, his health requiring repose; 
 but he was fully prepared to give all the time and 
 energy he could command to the promulgation of such 
 measures as this society hoped to advance — he being 
 fully cognisant of the great advantages which would 
 
70 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 accrue to the future dentist by a course of well-cliosen, 
 appropriate, and systematic education — wliile the name 
 of Cartwright was in itself a tower of strength. 
 
 The choice of such a gentleman as the first president 
 of the Odontological Society reflected great wisdom on 
 the part of those connected with it, and was a proper 
 tribute of esteem to one who had earned for himself so 
 much respect, both in and out of the profession, and in 
 the world at large. 
 
 The president of the College of Dentists was an 
 example in himself of what untiring energy, coupled 
 with ability, can attempt and attain. Mr. Eobinson 
 was a man of exceedingly strong will and deter- 
 mined spirit. When a project lay before Mm with 
 which he was connected, either as friend or foe, his 
 dark eye would glance fire as he brought his fist 
 vehemently down into the palm of his other hand, 
 indicative of his resolution to take action in the matter. 
 It needed not his expressive, " ITL do it ! you shall 
 see ! " which he frequently made use of, to prove to the 
 bystander that his mind was made up. Many times, 
 as might be expected, his impetuous nature overruled 
 his judgment, and led him into what he subsequently 
 admitted to be mistakes. But the fiery courage which 
 he possessed so abundantly was a most valuable charac- 
 teristic at this time, if properly used and controlled. 
 The author had had occasion to speak to many kindly- 
 hearted men, to many amiable and genial-spirited men, 
 and to many more who may have, and doubtless did 
 possess, determination of character, the manifestation 
 of which, however, they did not permit him to see. 
 But when face to face with James Eobinson, and he 
 seeing his way clear for taking up a certain line of 
 action, there was no doubt on the mind possible as to 
 the rapid, practical, and resolute manner in which he 
 would proceed. Promptitude, if not precision, was his 
 notable characteristic. He ever leaned towards action. 
 A restless spirit, he found solace and support in energy 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 7 1 
 
 and hard work where most men only find exhaustion. 
 From close and frequent observation of him, he ap- 
 peared to the writer to partake of the character of the 
 double-handed broadswords-man rather than the skilled 
 fencer with the foil. Whenever and wherever his blade 
 fell it made an ugly wound, although, at times, it missed 
 its mark, and left his antagonist in possession of a 
 momentary advantage. With such predilections, so 
 strongly demonstrated, a new difficulty was experienced. 
 This was to harness and then guide his impetuous will, 
 so that it might subserve the end his friends and col- 
 leagues had in view. His keen susceptibility, his 
 almost instinctive discovery of anything like the curb- 
 rein, made this still more difficult. 
 
 With regard to the presidency of the college, which 
 had thus been offered to and accepted by him, the 
 committee had felt the matter to be a critical one, Mr. 
 Eobinson having been — without any intention, however, 
 on their part — a sort of dernier ressort. Simple justice 
 to his memory demands that it should be put on record 
 that no lower motive than the strong desire to be 
 useful to the struggling members of the profession 
 actuated him. By his own indomitable perseverance 
 he had risen to an acknowledged position as a dentist, 
 and was conducting a very large practice which fully 
 absorbed his time and attention. It would have been 
 a very easy thing, therefore, for him to have met the 
 request made with a negative, as so many others had 
 done. Without attempting to critically analyse the 
 reasons which induced him to accept office at this 
 juncture, it may be safely asserted that a spirit of 
 daring, if not of defiance, was in active operation. 
 Because others had been timid, he determined to show 
 that fear had no control over him. 
 
 To one of such a temperament there was also a 
 certain amount of fascination in the post. It offered 
 ample opportunities for the display of generalship in 
 guiding the affairs of the institution itself; and every 
 
72 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 now and then tlie elan of such a character and disposi- 
 tion might produce marked and lasting results. At any 
 rate, there would be sure to be found a certain amount 
 of activity and excitement which were alike congenial 
 to his natural tastes. As to the honour of the position, 
 that seemed to have no effect upon such a mind as 
 Mr. Eobinson possessed. The apparent satisfaction 
 which he drew from it was that there would be plenty 
 of work, a certainty of conflict with apathy, pride, and 
 indifference, with just a chance of a happy hit or two 
 in directions which had hitherto been sealed against 
 him. Full of energy and hot blood, ready for the fray, 
 and rejoicing in the expectation that battle would end 
 in blessing, he quietly put all other considerations of 
 self-interest into his pocket, and determined to serve 
 heartily in what he sincerely believed to be a righteous 
 cause. His remark to the writer at the time of his 
 making his decision was, "Eemember, if I draw the sword, 
 I fling away the scabbard." Henceforth, therefore, there 
 was to be war in earnest, if not actually a outrance. 
 So far as Mr. Eymer's views had been promulgated, 
 Mr. Eobinson accepted and endorsed them. He thor- 
 oughly felt the importance and necessity of educating 
 the coming generation of dentists. He, moreover, most 
 thoroughly believed in the wished-for reform springing 
 up from within rather than from without the profession, 
 and considered that the means being taken to ensure 
 an independent position was a step conducive to the 
 benefit of all. 
 
 It is easy, therefore, to understand that the measures 
 taken by the memorialists, both in petitioning the 
 College of Surgeons for patronage and in secretly form- 
 ing the Odontological Society, met with no stronger 
 reprobation and fiercer opposition than fell from him. 
 Although Mr. Eobinson was not a member of the Eoyal 
 College of Surgeons, he did not despise such a medical 
 degree, but held that its possession by no means 
 guaranteed a proficiency to practise dentistry; and, 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, J 7) 
 
 therefore, maintained that it should be subordinate, and 
 not supreme, as a mark of qualification to the dental 
 surgeon. The College of Dentists had no firmer believer 
 in the ability of dental practitioners, as such, to educate 
 and examine the younger members of the body, than 
 their first president ever proved himself to be. He 
 vehemently opposed the idea of submission to or 
 dependence upon the Eoyal College of Surgeons; and 
 was, therefore, a thorough representative of the views 
 held by those who had publicly formed the College of 
 Dentists of England. 
 
 Thus, then, it may be said, that at the close of the 
 year 1856 two important institutions had been organ- 
 ised, each affecting in the closest possible manner the 
 deepest and dearest interests of the dental profession. 
 The unhappy part of considering them as they stood 
 forth prominently, lay in the fact that they were in 
 antagonism one to the other, and that the animosity 
 was both bitter and undisguised. When, however, the 
 circumstances which had led up to their formation were 
 remembered, together with the method proposed by 
 each society for carrying out its object, there is not 
 much room for surprise at the opposing elements, as 
 such, or the intensity of feeling which prevailed. How- 
 ever, there they stood, ha^dng in their birth and organi- 
 sation created an amount of excitement through the 
 ranks of the dentists in the three kingdoms such as had 
 never been realised before; and, henceforth, it was 
 apparent that everything necessary to enlist the sym- 
 pathy and support of those who up to this time were 
 non-adherents would be done, so as to prove inherent 
 power of development, and, on the part of those who 
 were guiding the affairs of each institution, wisdom and 
 aptitude ; that so, in due time, results beneficial to the 
 body of practitioners at large might happily be achieved. 
 
 The Odontological Society at this time could not, 
 perhaps, count fifty members on its list; the College 
 of Dentists appeared upon the scene with more than 
 
74 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 tliree times that number of supporters. The following 
 published statement sets forth the objects and the pro- 
 posals which the founders of the latter institution then 
 had in view. 
 
 "The objects for which the College of Dentists of 
 England is established are to unite members of the 
 dental profession into a recognised and independent 
 body, and to provide means of professional education 
 and examination. The manner in which it is intended 
 to seek the attainment of these objects is to invite all 
 dentists practising as such, exclusively and legitimately, 
 to become members of the college. 
 
 " This invitation is extended to the 31st of December 
 1857; after which period it is proposed to provide 
 means whereby the competency of each candidate for 
 membership must be satisfactorily proved by examina- 
 tion. 
 
 " The large number of practitioners who have already 
 enrolled their names as members, with the approbation 
 of the council, would appear to prove that the consti- 
 tutional principles upon which the college is founded 
 must prevail in bringing the profession together as a 
 body, before the lapse of many months, when it is 
 hoped a charter of incorporation will be obtained, so 
 that the public may be effectually protected from the 
 serious effects of charlatanism, and every duly-qualified 
 practitioner be enabled to maintain his position with 
 dignity." 
 
C 75 ) 
 
 CHAPTEE TV. 
 
 Allusion" has been made to dental journalism, and the 
 present work would be incomplete without direct refer- 
 ence to and mention of this important feature in the 
 general advance of the profession. The year 1856 must 
 ever be memorable in the annals of dentistry in this 
 country from more causes than one. The first, how- 
 ever, in the order of time, was the establishment and 
 appearance of a monthly journal to represent the pro- 
 fession. It was launched as the enterprise and property 
 of a Mr. Walter Blundell, and bore the name of " The 
 British Journal of Dental Science," the publisher being 
 the well-known (late) John Churchill, of Xew Burling- 
 ton Street. 
 
 The dentists of that day did not concern themselves 
 about the motives which had operated with the proprie- 
 tor of this journal in inducing him to institute such 
 a medium of communication throughout their ranks. 
 They were content with the fact that a proper opportu- 
 nity was thus given for literary and scientific inter- 
 course. The announcement that a monthly journal de- 
 voted to their interests was about to appear, gladdened 
 them. In the opening number, issued in the month of 
 July, the editor, in his address, assured his readers 
 that " the columns of ' The British Journal of Dental 
 Science' were open for free discussion, unfettered by 
 cliqueism, and at the disposal of any and every member 
 of the profession requiring a medium for the extension 
 of accumulated knowledge, let it be ever so fragmentary 
 or varied in degree of excellence." After stating the 
 
76 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 general intent and scope of the periodical, tlie concluding 
 paragraph ran thus : " Finally, we beg for mutual aid in 
 this common interest, which we fervently hope wiD. unite 
 us in the most friendly intercourse, and prove a lasting 
 source of gratification and advantage." The contents in 
 general were most encouraging as a specimen of what 
 tlie future numbers would be. The " getting up," was 
 all that could be desired, and, consequently, this new 
 friend received a very cordial if not enthusiastic recep- 
 tion. It gave rise to a hope in many plodding but 
 worthy men's minds of the beginning of better things. 
 At any rate, it could not fail of becoming the medium 
 whereby the isolation throughout the profession might 
 be altered, if not transformed into union among its 
 many members. Through its columns men could fairly 
 expect not only to receive but contribute valuable 
 information, and thus, in the best possible way, be- 
 come more fully known the one to the other. There 
 were so many facts constantly occurring in every one's 
 practice which could be chronicled with advantage to 
 the entire body, that the wonder now is why a special 
 journal for the profession had not been thought of 
 before. 
 
 The appearance of this periodical at the moment 
 when the profession was being aroused from its 
 dormant condition was to be considered fortunate, 
 especially as the editor, in the second number, advo- 
 cated in an unmistakable manner the necessity for 
 organisation and education by means of a Dental 
 College. It is highly probable that the writer of the 
 article in question had, with many others, felt the 
 force and justice of the remarks Mr. Eymer had made 
 exactly one year previous in his letter published in 
 the "Lancet." Whether this was the source of his 
 inspiration or not, the editor of the new journal warmly 
 espoused Mr. Eymer's views, for, in the number for 
 September 1856, the month when the latter gen- 
 tleman called a public meeting of the profession, we 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 77 
 
 find him writing thus : " To style ourselves ' surgeon- 
 dentists/ therefore, is clearly an error. Even those who 
 possess the diploma of the College of Surgeons, and 
 now confine themselves to the speciality of dentistry, 
 are no better off than the most ignorant of the profes- 
 sion, who can equally assume the above title. The Col- 
 lege of Surgeons, in common with the medical colleges, 
 looks with an eye of little favour on ' speciality ' of 
 any kind, and to demand of them an acknowledgment 
 of our own would be utterly absurd. It follows, then, 
 that any code of laws which may be framed for the pro- 
 posed institute or college, should not be retrospectii-e ; 
 that is, that tliose existing practitioners, who can fairly 
 show an honest proficiency in their art, should not be 
 debarred the rights and privileges which such an insti- 
 tution would secure to them as a class." The gentle- 
 men, therefore, who met at the London Tavern, Tvdth 
 this very purpose in view, had every reason to congratu- 
 late themselves upon the prospect of having their ideas 
 to this end fostered and encouraged by the editor of the 
 " Dental Journal." This hope was further strengthened 
 when the next monthly number saw the light, for there 
 was commendation in that enough and to spare. In re- 
 marking upon that meeting, the editor observed, " A 
 more business-like and practical set of men could not 
 well have assembled; for each seemed to be imbued 
 with the spirit that he was striA^ing for an object which, 
 if attained, would not only amehorate and raise his ovm 
 position, but hand him down to future generations 
 as a benefactor of a useful and honourable profession. 
 They had, in fact, something to do, and they did it 
 offhand, and, rather singularly, without the interruption 
 from any of those crotchety pests who generally haunt 
 public meetings. The painstaking gentleman who ]iad 
 summoned them together set before them at once three 
 very lucid and practical propositions, which, with very 
 few words, were adopted unanimously. Tarch scd tute 
 must be their motto, and they must succeed. Chosen 
 
78 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 
 
 by a fair representative body of their profession, tliey 
 possess its entire confidence." Nothing could have been 
 more animating than such expressions as these, and 
 they were undoubtedly appreciated at that critical 
 time. The next month's issue brought with it a state- 
 ment, in the usual place devoted to editorial deliveries, 
 which might, for the sentiments expressed, have been 
 written even by a member of the College of Dentists 
 itself. While assuring the gentlemen who were assidu- 
 ously working at the open organisation of the profession 
 that they should not fail to find a cordial helper in the 
 " British Journal of Dental Science," the writer of the 
 article proceeds to draw the attention of the magnates 
 in the dental body to the necessity for their co-operation 
 thus : — " Once more we say to the more prosperous 
 members of the profession, a great responsibility rests 
 upon you ; your brethren are aspiring for an organisa- 
 tion that shall improve their social position and increase 
 their public usefulness. Will you help them in tliis 
 arduous effort ? Will you extend a hand to land them 
 safe on firm ground, or will you stand complacently by 
 while they work their way with many struggles through 
 the rough , waters ? Once ashore they will not want 
 your help, and depend upon it they will bestow the 
 honours of success only on those who deserve them. 
 We hope, then, that these gentlemen will exhibit a 
 generous spirit, and set an example of union by at once 
 enrolling their ' names on the register of the proposed 
 society." It was evident that the writer of these words 
 was ignorant of the separative spirit which actuated 
 that class to whom he had appealed, and either did not 
 know, or, knov™g, did not put any credence in the 
 statement which had been made at the public meeting 
 convened by Mr. Eymer, that several leading men had 
 taken action in the matter, and had petitioned the 
 Eoyal College of Surgeons for identification in some 
 sort with them. Under whatever circumstances it was 
 written, the editor was beside the mark; and if the 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 79 
 
 party imder Mr. Eymer's leadersMp had been inclined 
 to trust for support to the only journal which repre- 
 sented dentistry, there would have been but a short 
 time for that trust to remain unchecked, if not absolutely 
 broken. As it proved, there was left but one more 
 month of favourable notice for the toiling men who had 
 been appointed to the task of setting matters straight 
 in the dental profession by the meeting of September 
 
 22d. 
 
 With the closing of the year 1856 came the con- 
 clusion of journalistic encouragement. • Whether the 
 undertaking was too onerous and expensive for the 
 proprietor of the " British Journal of Dental Science " 
 to carry it on need not be discussed; but the result, 
 from whatever cause it originated, was important just 
 then. The journal having been offered to the committee 
 under Mr. Rymer for a certain sum of money, the offer 
 was refused, and it eventually became the property of 
 some gentlemen in the profession, all of whom had 
 either openly or tacitly espoused the Odontological 
 Society. It is not necessary to quote the leading articles 
 under the new regime. Little by little the difference 
 of spirit and tone was made apparent, until the " British 
 Journal of Dental Science," in a few months, was seen 
 flying the flag of bitter opposition. From a friend it 
 had become a foe. But journalism was not a thing 
 upon which Mr. Eymer and his committee placed 
 absolute reliance, although he and they were sensible 
 of its many and distinct advantages. ' This defection, 
 therefore, had no other effect than that of a healthy 
 stimulant upon those who were making such praise- 
 w^orthy efforts. With unabated vigour they prosecuted 
 their difficult task. In a circular, signed by the Hon- 
 orary Corresponding Secretary, the Council of the College 
 of Dentists informed every member of the institution of 
 the circumstances concerning the offer made to it of 
 the purchase of the journal — these circumstances includ- 
 ing unreasonable demands, accompanied by statements 
 
80 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 which, looked very much like a threat, if the terms 
 stipulated for were not acceded to ; and announced that 
 " as it appeared indispensable that the transactions of 
 the college should be reported, and its claims fairly 
 advocated by an independent publication, it had every 
 reason to believe that very shortly a periodical would 
 appear for that purpose, wherein would be found matter 
 abundantly interesting and useful to every member of 
 the college and the profession at large." This prophecy 
 was eventually fulfilled by the publication of the 
 " Quarterly Journal of Dental Science," under a pro- 
 prietary of gentlemen practising as dentists. As the 
 " British Journal of Dental Science " had fallen into the 
 hands of those who were members of the Odontological 
 Society, so the new Quarterly belonged to gentlemen 
 who were members of the College of Dentists. The 
 undertaking was promulgated by Mr. Eobinson, who, 
 with his usual spirit of determination, resolved that 
 the college enterprise should not be written down or 
 snuffed out without an earnest effort to prevent it. 
 He cheerfully aided it by becoming a co-proprietor, and 
 with his purse and pen helped it forward to the best 
 of his power. The first number appeared in April 1857, 
 and the contents reflected credit on all concerned. 
 
 There was sufficient matter at that epoch to fill many 
 of its pages, su.pplied by the college and its work alone. 
 A regular staff of lecturers had already been appointed 
 for the instruction of the members — the names of the 
 lecturers, together with the subjects of their teachings, 
 being as under, and commenced February 19th: — 
 
 John Steggall, M.D., «&;c. Subject : Descriptive Anatomy 
 of Bones, Muscles, Vessels, and Nerves of the Head and Face, 
 embracing Physiology and Therapeutics. 
 
 Jabez Hogg, M.R.C.S., &c. Subject : Histological Anatomy; 
 its value to the Student— The Microscope — Historical Introduc- 
 tion — Optical Arrangement— Appliances — Preparation of Objects 
 —Histology of Cell Development— General Characters and De- 
 velopment of Tissues— Hard Structure and Tooth Structure in 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 8 1 
 
 particular — Histological and Comparative Aiiatomr of Teetli — 
 Diseases of the Dental Tissues — Dental Caries, &;c. 
 
 G. Simpson, F.R.C.S., &c. Subject : General Anatomy — 
 Special Anatomy. 
 
 Dr. Gladstone, F.E.S. Subject : Bone Enamel, and the 
 Metals used in Dentistry. 
 
 Alfred Carpenter, M.B*, &c. Subject : Principles of General 
 Surgery. 
 
 As these lectures were delivered the "Quarterly 
 Jonrnal " published them, together with the account of 
 the various meetings and transactions of the coUesje as 
 they occurred. It also contained much matter of general 
 interest on many subjects, among which may be men- 
 tioned extracts from a new work on dentistry by Mr. 
 Eobinson, with illustrations. The wood-engraver's art 
 was liberally introduced into the pages of the new 
 college journal, and Mr. Purland added his quota by 
 sending the whims and oddities of dental advertisements 
 as they appeared in the publications a century^ or so 
 back. The projectors of the " Quarterly " left nothing 
 undone to provide dental literature for its readers, while 
 they availed themselves of the medium thus in their 
 own hands to push the principles of the institution 
 they had established, by advocating and advancing its 
 claims upon the great body of practitioners at large, 
 giving full reports of the meetings and transactions of 
 the college, and showing a bold and uncompromising 
 front to their equally resolute adversary. The two 
 sides of the dental question had thus organs of their 
 own, and the various aspects of the movement were 
 fully discussed, as from time to time necessity arose, 
 from the opposite points of view. It has been often 
 said " The pen is sharper than the sword," and the truth 
 of the dictum was faMy proved in the keenness of the 
 correspondence which appeared on the all-absorbing 
 subject in hand. "VYliile speaking of dental literature, 
 it may be as well to mention the opinions which the 
 medical press held concerning the efforts at organisation 
 
82 • DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 being made. The "Lancet," of 21st February 1857, 
 makes the following statement : — 
 
 " The ground which the dentists take is now clearly laid out, 
 and its limits are distinctly defined. The intention, it appears, 
 is to create a new body, separate and apart from any existing 
 college. In a word, the dentists aim at being a distinct corporate 
 body. . . . We hope, notwithstanding the criminal apathy of 
 the council of the College of Surgeons, that the members of that 
 college will not sanction such a proposal. . . . Surgery is a most 
 important department of that science (medicine), and dental 
 surgery is one of the most important branches of that department. 
 We cannot follow the council of the College of Surgeons as guides 
 on this occasion, ancj we protest strongly and urgently against 
 permitting the legitimate practitioners of surgery to be robbed of 
 one of the chief sources of emolument in the profession, and the 
 public to be deprived of the benefits which the proper cultivators 
 of that branch of surgery known as dentistry is calculated to 
 afi^ord. Where are these divisions to terminate ? Are we to have 
 colleges of dentists, colleges of oculists, colleges of aurists, colleges 
 of cuppers, and colleges of chiropedists % The idea is monstrous 
 enough. Amongst the dentists of the present day there are men of 
 distinguished ability, who are legally qualified members of theKoyal 
 Colleges of Surgeons of England, Ireland, and Scotland. Amongst 
 the gentlemen who practise dentistry, but who are not members 
 of any medical college whatever, there are also men — to their 
 honour be it spoken — who have acquired high reputation, and 
 who have made large fortunes. Why, then, if there be a desire 
 to obtain for dental surgery that distinction which its importance 
 and utility so fully warrant, do not these gentlemen unite and 
 take part in forming an institution, wherein they may associate, 
 cultivate friendly feelings, and combine in promoting their pro- 
 fessional and the public interests % Why not endeavour to obtain 
 a charter for a Eoyal Dental Institute, admitting during the 
 present year the existing practitioners of dental surgery, but 
 making it an unbending law afterwards that not any person shall 
 be received as a member of the Eoyal Dental Institute who is 
 not a member or fellow of one of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons ? 
 .... Dental surgery, founded on the science of surgery, is a 
 beautiful art, and the benefits that it has conferred upon the 
 public are but as the merest trifles in comparison with what it 
 can really accomplish. As it is not likely that the council of the 
 College of Surgeons will be awakened to a sense of its duty on this 
 subject unless the voice of the profession be loudly sounded, we 
 trust that, before the next annual election at the college, the 
 feelings of the members will be expressed on this question in a 
 manner that cannot be misunderstood." 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. ^l 
 
 This was strong and suggestive writing. Plans on 
 paper are, however, much more easily drawn than 
 carried out in actual practice. Here was a proposition 
 which involved both an impossibility and an improba- 
 bility. It would have been impossible to include every 
 dental practitioner in such an institution, from the 
 simple fact that the better class and legitimate dentists 
 would have refused to be " levelled down " by associat- 
 ing with impudent empirics and fraudulent quacks. 
 And it was highly improbable that, even if such a 
 heterogeneous mass could have been coaxed into com- 
 bination, a charter could have been obtained and the 
 institution established within the proposed time, so as 
 to permit the free working of the suggested law of 
 future exclusion. The idea of this writer had some 
 affinity to the views held by the promoters of the 
 college, inasmuch as it looked towards an institute, 
 but with the essential difference of affiliation with the 
 College of Surgeons. In a subsequent number (March 
 14th) the " Lancet," having scolded the council of the 
 Eoyal College of Surgeons for not replying to the twice 
 repeated application of the memorialists, although a 
 period of fifteen months had elapsed since the celebrated 
 petition was first presented, reverts to the attempt of 
 Mr. Eymer in the following language : — 
 
 " In the meantime, dissensions have occurred amongst the 
 dentists, heart-sick at the deferred hope which it seems to have 
 been the policy of the college to maintain. Hence the machinery 
 of the Dentists' College has been independently arranged. Such 
 an institution is in every way objectionable. It gives uo status 
 like that which a connection with the College of Surgeons would 
 liave conferred on a body of men whose occupation demands 
 much skill, knowledge, and judgment — whose mission is so 
 eminently the relief of one of the least endurable kinds of human 
 suffering, that only the most narrow and selfish policy could 
 exclude them from association with the profession." 
 
 The "Pharmaceutical Journal," after indubinrr in 
 some satirical remarks upon the gentlemen elected to 
 
84 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 
 
 the office of lecturers at the College of Dentists, pro- 
 ceeded to say in its number for March 4, 1857 : — 
 
 " It would, therefore, be premature to pass judgment upon the 
 curriculum of dental education at present ; but we may safelv 
 predicate that the premises of the new college do not afford ac- 
 commodation for entering into competition with the medical 
 schools ; and that if the college is to stand or fall according to its 
 efficiency as an educating body, the privilege of an independent 
 existence will be purchased by its members at the expense of pro- 
 fessional status, and the occupation of a dentist will be reduced to 
 a craft, instead of being an integral part of a profession." 
 
 It is unnecessary to criticise too closely or even at 
 all the logic of such statements as these. Whether it 
 was the avowed intention of the promoters of the College 
 of Dentists so to arran2;e then scheme as to be able, at 
 once, to enter into competition with the various medical 
 schools was not, perhaps, worth this writer's while to 
 consider more than problematical. However, it was 
 evident that this journal was not favourable to in- 
 dependent existence and action among the dentists as 
 a body. On the other hand, the " Medical Cu'cular," 
 under date February 25, 1857, observes: — 
 
 " The new Dentists' College is, it appears, to pass through the 
 fiery furnace of controversy before it shall be proved pure and 
 genuine metal. A certain section of the profession seem to 
 think that the College of Surgeons should examine men as to the 
 most scientific way of taking moulds of ill-conditioned jaws, and 
 of making false teeth from elephants' tusks. In that case 
 Lawrence must commence an apprenticeship at the bench, and 
 Stanley take a turn at the lathe. We have no objection to this, 
 only that we should soon make a demand for a new College of 
 Surgeons. Let the friends of the College of Dentists persevere, 
 never minding the petulant twaddle of their adversaries." 
 
 These quotations are sufficient to show the influence 
 the attempt at organisation and education had made, 
 not only amongst those immediately concerned, but in 
 the ranks of the medical profession generally. It was 
 also an unmistakable evidence of the difficulties which 
 would beset the path of reform, and a proof that opposi- 
 tion was likely to spring up in many different direc- 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 85 
 
 tions. In the meantime, while the medical press con- 
 descended to comment, according to the various views 
 held by the writers in its journals, upon the struggle 
 being maintained between the two parties into which 
 the dental profession was divided, the " British Jour- 
 nal " and the " Quarterly " did not fail to use their re- 
 spective influences on every occasion. 
 
 From the commencement of the year 1857, the atti- 
 tude of the Odontological Society may be described as 
 patiently expectant. The eyes of its council were in- 
 tently directed towards the College of Surgeons, in the 
 hope of seeing some evidence manifested of action being 
 taken by the authorities at Lincoln's Inn Tields with 
 regard to the petition which had been presented there. 
 At that time the society could do no more than rely 
 upon the claims wliich it undoubtedly had, on the 
 score of name and fame of so many of its members, to 
 the rest of the profession. It existed as a scientific 
 society. As such it was a great boon, for there was need 
 enough of more frequent opportunities being given for 
 the reading and discussion of papers upon scientific 
 subjects touching the theory and practice of dental art. 
 Its promoters, however, were not without their plans 
 concerning the future, which, when in the process of 
 time they were made known, reflected credit both for 
 the sagacity with which they had been formulated, and 
 clearly demonstrated the deep interest felt by all con- 
 cerned in the permanent and increasing welfare of the 
 profession. If the Eoyal College of Surgeons could be 
 induced to institute a dental department whereby the 
 profession would be properly recognised, it would then 
 become the immediate duty of those through whom this 
 step had been achieved to found a dental school, in 
 order that the curriculum, which would, of course, be 
 imposed, might be carried out by those students who 
 thought proper to pass through it. This again involved 
 another necessity, namely, the providing ample opportu- 
 nity for a full and practical education to be imparted to 
 
86 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 those entering such a school. These important mea- 
 sures, though, from the nature of the case, still in embryo, 
 were doubtless the subject of reflection and due con- 
 sideration. However, the main object of the Odonto- 
 logical Society was clearly expressed in its first byelaw, 
 viz. : " This Society is instituted for the encourage- 
 ment and diffusion of knowledge of dental surgery, 
 and for the promotion of intercourse among members 
 of the dental profession." This purpose was being 
 assiduously kept, and from the position and qualifica- 
 tions of many connected with it, gave promise of un- 
 wavering and unbroken benefit in this most important 
 direction. The following remarks of the president — 
 the late S. Cartwright, Esq. — on the occasion of the first 
 general meeting of the society, held at 32A George 
 Street, Hanover Square, January 5th, 1857, "^©re no 
 doubt in accordance with the sentiments of those then 
 assembled: — "But while, in a large class of practi- 
 tioners, the educational acqu.irements are all that can 
 be desired, it cannot but be felt that in another, and a 
 large class too, the standard of education is calculated 
 to form merely a successful artisan ; and, consequently, 
 there are two distinct bodies of practitioners — the 
 one practising dentistry as a profession, the other 
 carrying it on as a trade or business. It cannot be 
 doubted that a liberal education is of the greatest 
 advantage to those engaged in practice ; and the more 
 education is extended in all ranks of society, the more 
 it becomes necessary that the members of our profession 
 qualify themselves as highly as they can ; for those 
 who employ the services of the dentist in these days 
 have a right to look, and do look, to the qualifications of 
 the mind as well as to the mechanical adroitness of the 
 fingers." However much a large portion of the profes- 
 sion may have taken exception to the manner in which 
 the Odontological Society had been instituted, every well- 
 wisher throughout the dental ranks must have felt that 
 through it, as a medium, a great and invaluable benefit 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 8/ 
 
 would accrue generally, by the distributioD. of intellec- 
 tual wealth, hitherto locked up in the minds of its pos- 
 sessors. On the other hand, the College of Dentists was 
 gathering together all its strength for active and energetic 
 work, taking its stand with regard to the future upon 
 its second law, viz. : " The objects for which the College 
 is established are to unite members of the dental profes- 
 sion into a recognised and independent body, and to 
 provide means of professional education and examina- 
 tion." With such a progTamme before it, there was no 
 room for idleness or indifference, and the council pal- 
 pably felt the importance of utilising all the material it 
 could command. Had there been no counter-movement 
 in existence, the task they had allotted to themselves 
 would have been onerous enough, but with their staff 
 thinned as it was by the abstention of many gentlemen 
 of influence, and actually opposed by these, the labour 
 to be got through was simply enormous. The silence 
 of the council of the Eoyal College of Surgeons was 
 deenied by many both in and out of the Dental College 
 as favourable to the designs of the latter. Yet, after all, 
 that silence might at any moment be broken, and in a 
 manner which could not but leave another and formidable 
 obstacle, if not an actually insurmountable one, in their 
 path. They resolved, however, prudently enough, not 
 to ante- date their difficulties. In the arrano'ements for 
 carrying out the projected college they found abundant 
 opportunities for the absorption of their time and atten- 
 tion, while as yet there remained a very large number of 
 practitioners who had given neither sign nor sound as to 
 what course they would eventually take. From calcula- 
 tions which the '^Titer had officially to make, there were 
 at that time, as nearly as could be ascertained, some 
 1300 or 1400 dentists practising throughout the three 
 kingdoms. Putting the number of those who were 
 connected with both institutions too-ether, the afro-reo-ate 
 did not amount to more than about one-fifth, or there- 
 abouts, of the whole body. Various motives had, no 
 
88 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 doubt, actuated these dentists in not becoming associ- 
 ated either with the Odontological Society or the Dental 
 College. It is highly probable that the isolation and 
 estrangement which for so many years had characterised 
 the profession were operating still as against union. 
 From whatever cause, however, the fact remained ; and 
 this became a stimulus to exertion on the part of the 
 council of the College of Dentists. It was most impor- 
 tant to give evidence to what was then called " the 
 outsider" that the party operating with Mr. Eobinson 
 and Mr. Eymer was providing an institution which 
 would meet the many requirements of the profession at 
 large. The attempt in itself was a very bold bid for 
 professional favour. Independence was a strong and 
 wide-reaching word. Whatever had been done by our 
 Transatlantic brethren, and however the system of sepa- 
 rate institutions had succeeded in America, the experi- 
 ment was a novel one in this country. The differences 
 in the social as well as professional habits and charac- 
 teristics of the two peoples constituted, in itself, a 
 subject of the gravest consideration — to say nothing of 
 the inherent objection which so many would most 
 probably feel in becoming copyists of those who were 
 nationally their juniors. There was not a single step 
 which could be taken at that time but was upon new 
 ground. The process of cohesion was in itself but in 
 its infancy. Men were only just beginning, even 
 remotely, to know each other ; and the more intimately 
 they became connected and acquainted, the more freely 
 and firmly might their prejudices and predilections be 
 expected to display themselves. There was but one 
 thing upon which the reformers on either side could 
 with any security rely — namely, the desire, expressed or 
 implied, for something in the shape of reform to be set 
 in operation. In the firm belief tliat the course of pro- 
 cedure adopted by those who had publicly solicited the 
 opinions of the dentists as a body, was that which would 
 most generally accord with the feeling of the mass of 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 89 
 
 the profession, the council of the College of Dentists 
 prosecuted their work. It may be truly said that in 
 Mr. Eymer's conclusions, based upon what had been 
 already accomplished by means of public acquiescence in 
 his views, there lay much force. He felt that he had 
 hit upon the proper mode of procedure ; and in a pam- 
 phlet which he published in February of that year we 
 find him concluding with the following remarks : — 
 
 " An INDEPENDENT existence is, however, demanded by the 
 profession ; and it is in obedience to this demand that the College 
 of Dentists of England has been established. It were heartily to 
 be wished that fruitless opposition should now cease, and that 
 all should unite to hasten the time — which must inevitably ar- 
 rive — when the college shall become a national institution, and 
 when no man will be recognised as a qualified dentist unless he 
 has received authority to practise as such from its faculty. The 
 government of the college is in safe and efficient hands — a most 
 important point at the outset. Organisation is in steady course 
 of accomplishment, a correct system of education will follow ; and 
 the consummation of all will be seen in the elevation of the 
 character of the dental profession by the authority granted to the 
 College of Dentists of England as an IN'CORPOIIATED BODY." 
 
 From the general tone of this pamphlet it was evi- 
 dent that whoever might entertain doubts as to the 
 necessity for and eventual success of the institution in 
 question, the writer himself had none. So many as- 
 surances of aquiescence and support had been given, 
 that, with the faith which is a necessary basis and con- 
 stant accompaniment of the efforts of projectors, as a 
 rule, added thereto, it was not a matter of surprise that 
 such strong confidence in the ultimate issue of the 
 undertaking should be evinced. One out of many en- 
 couragements to proceed with the work may be properly 
 mentioned. ToAvards the end of 1856, in the Xovember 
 of that year, when the project had become thoroughly 
 known, a general meeting of dentists was called at the 
 Literary and Philosophical Institution, Cheltenham, for 
 
 * The Dental Profession : its Present Position and Future Prospects, 
 considered in relation to the recent Pieformatory Movement. By 
 Samuel Lee Rymer. Walton & Maberlj, 28 Upper Go\Yer Street. 
 
90 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 considering the sclieme. Mr. Somerset Tibbs occupied the 
 chair, when the subject, as it touched the dental prac- 
 titioners in that town, was discussed. The result was 
 that the following address was agreed to, and forwarded 
 to the Committee of Organisation in London : — 
 
 * " Cheltenham, Novemher 24^^, 1856. 
 
 *' To the Committee of the Dental Association. 
 
 " Gentlemen, — "We most cordially agree with jon as to the 
 
 desirability — we might almost say absohde necessity — of an Asso- 
 ciation of Dentists, not only for the protection of the unprincipled, 
 but also for placing the members of an honoural)le and useful 
 profession in their proper position. We fully acknowledge that 
 such an association, to be successful in the present day, must be 
 established on a broad and liberal basis ; and while we feel the 
 great difficulty you must have to contend with in deciding who 
 should be admitted members of such an association, yet, as a line 
 must be drawn somewhere, we would suggest it should be drawn 
 so as to exclude those only, at the formation of the society, who 
 combine any kind of business with the dental profession, and 
 those who issue puffing advertisements, with a ' scale of fees.' 
 
 " Should you find it practicable to carry out these suggestions, 
 we beg to offer ourselves as members and associates. 
 
 Members — 
 
 Alex. Montague. 
 CuLLis Geo. Henrt. 
 cunningam, m. g. 
 Penney, G. S., M.R.C.S. 
 Robertson, James. 
 Tibbs, Somerset. 
 
 Associates — 
 
 Leatherby, William Sinthall. 
 Collins, James Francis. 
 Fox, J. John. 
 Robertson, William." 
 
 These suggestions had already been acted upon, 
 as a reference to the laws w^ill show; but from such 
 assurances of interest as this, and others from indi- 
 vidual members of the profession which had all along 
 been received, the council derived the encouragement 
 to persevere in the due development of the college. It 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. QI 
 
 was a time not only of great activity, but of careful and 
 earnest thought. With their opponents watching each 
 step that was taken, and with augmenting criticism in 
 the editorials and general correspondence in the " British 
 Journal of Dental Science," the utmost prudence was 
 necessary. Meetings of councils, committees, and sub- 
 committees abounded. Under the energetic presidency 
 of Mr. Eobinson in connection with the first-named the 
 business was systematically gone through. The presi- 
 dent was noted for his punctuality, and any member of 
 council arriving after the prescribed time was sure to 
 be reminded of the fact. His leadership of these 
 meetings was, if anything, rigidly severe. The slightest 
 departure from the subject, the merest tendency to 
 conversation, brought the ivory hammer upon the table 
 with no small vehemence, while his quick glance and 
 call to " Business, gentlemen ! " would speedily rally 
 the defaulters in attention to the work before them. 
 Those who were then engaged as the representatives of 
 the college felt that it was no child's play to occupy 
 the post to which they had been called by the voice of 
 their brethren. There was much to be done in the 
 direction of internal arrangement. A museum and 
 library had to be formed. Valuable contributions in 
 these departments were received, in response to the 
 appeals made, the president being one of the most 
 liberal donors, Mr. Fox acting as librarian and curator. 
 The appointment of le.cturers on the subjects necessary 
 for the purposes of education was attended with no 
 small difficulty, but by the direct personal in- 
 fluence of the president the majority of these was 
 secured, and the arrangements for the delivery of the 
 lectures accomplished, as has been already stated. The 
 conduct of the affairs of the council grew daily in its 
 importance, being directed by Mr. Eymer, and it soon 
 became evident that the general correspondence would 
 become so great as to leave no leisure at the command 
 of him assigned to that particular duty. About this 
 
92 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 time a Parliamentary measure affecting tlie medical 
 profession closely, and involving the interests of the 
 dentists, was under the consideration of the Eoyal Col- 
 lege of Surgeons. It was known as Mr. Headlam's 
 Medical Bill. Another measure, known as Lord Elcho's 
 Medical Bill, was simultaneously before Parliament. 
 The scope and tenor of these proposed legal enact- 
 ments may be gathered from the following circular, 
 wliich was issued by the College of Dentists of England 
 concerning them : — 
 
 " 5 Cavendish Square, January 5, 1857. 
 
 " Sir, — I beg to draw your attention to the proposed Medical 
 Bills now before Parliament. No person can be registered under 
 either of these Acts, unless a member of some medical or surgical 
 college or corporation. Again, none but a registered person can 
 perform any surgical operation, or act in a medical capacity. 
 Also, none but a registered person can recover any charges for 
 surgical operations or medical advice. This latter clause will at 
 once affect existing dental practitioners, and deprive them of that 
 protection the law has hitherto afforded them. A petition, pray- 
 ing the House of Commons to add a clause exempting the den- 
 tists from the operation of the Act, lies for signature at the Col- 
 lege of Dentists, No. 5 Cavendish Square. Your signature to the 
 same is earnestly requested. Your answer by return of post ia 
 requested, as the petition must be presented early next week. — I 
 am, sir, yours faithfully, 
 
 " Alfred Hill, Hon. Sec." 
 
 The clause in Mr. Headlam's Bill, No. 31, and in 
 Lord Elcho's Bill, No. 42, reads as follows, and, it will 
 be easily seen, was threatening enough to the dentists 
 situated as above : — " After the passing of this Act, no 
 person shall be entitled to recover any charge in any 
 court of law for any medical or surgical advice, atten- 
 dance, or for the performance of any operation, or for 
 any medicine prescribed, administered, or supplied by 
 him to his own patients, unless he shall prove upon the 
 trial that he is registered under this Act." At an ordi- 
 nary meeting of the college, then, which was held June 
 2, 1857, Mr. Underwood drew the attention of the 
 members to this clause, and proposed " that a general 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 93 
 
 meeting of the college be held on Thursday, the 4th of 
 June, to adopt a petition to the House of Commons, 
 praying that House to insert a clause into both Bills, 
 exempting dentists from the operation of the Act, and 
 to invite all dentists throughout the country, whether 
 members of the Dental College or not, to append their 
 names to the same." The necessity of such a step was 
 very evident; and the proposition eventuated, after 
 unanimous adoption, in a petition drawn up by the 
 council, to be presented at the proper time to Parlia- 
 ment. The following is a copy : — 
 
 " To the, Honourable the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great 
 Britain arid Ireland, in Parliament assembled. 
 
 *' The liumWe petition of the undersigned dentists showeth : — 
 
 " That your petitioners humbly beg to represent to your 
 Honourable House the great injustice they conceive •would be 
 done to them, and especially to those Avho at any future time may 
 enter into practice as dentists by either of the Medical Bills now 
 before Parliament, should it pass into a law. That of the existing 
 number of dental practitioners in the United Kingdom but very 
 few are members of any medical colleges or corporations. That 
 none but members of such colleges or corporations can be regis- 
 tered under these Acts, and none but registered persons can 
 perform surgical operations or act in a medical capacity, thus 
 deterring the future dentist from following his professional calling, 
 unless he become a member of one of the said colleges or cor- 
 porations. That this, your petitioners would humbly submit, wiU 
 be a great hardship on those who have entered on their pupilage 
 without supposing such a step should become necessary. Again, 
 no person, unless registered under either of the Acts, can, after 
 its passing, recover in a court of law any charges for surgical opera- 
 tions or medical advice. This, your petitioners would humbly 
 represent, will at once affect existing dental practitioners, and 
 deprive them of that protection the law has hitherto afforded 
 them in the legitimate exercise of their calling. 
 
 " Your petitioners submit that the following clause be added to 
 the Bill : — ' Nothing in this Act contained shall extend, or be con- 
 sidered to extend to prejudice, or in any way to affect the lawful 
 occupation, profession, trade, or business of dentists.' 
 
 "Your petitioners, therefore, humbly pray your honourable 
 House that the said Bills may not pass into a law as they now 
 stand, but that they may have such relief in the premises as to 
 
94 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 your Honourable House shall seem meet. And your petitioners 
 will ever pray," &c. 
 
 TKe president was enabled to state, when the meeting 
 on the 4th of June had assembled, that he together with 
 ^Ir. Hepburn and Mr. Underwood had elicited a pro- 
 mise from Mr. Headlam and Lord Elcho alike to insert 
 in their respective Bills a clause to exempt dentists. 
 Mr. Underwood also stated that he had had an inter- 
 view with Lord Elcho, and that his Lordship had under- 
 taken to present the petition framed by the College of 
 Dentists to the House. The activity of the college on 
 this eventful occasion was most praiseworthy ; and the 
 influence of that institution was likewise manifested by 
 the result of their solicitations of the dentists generally 
 to append thcK signatures to the petition. It was very 
 numerously signed ; and many of the signataries con- 
 sidered it worth the trouble of travelling long distances 
 to do so. Thus while the Odontological Society had 
 been pressing the Council of the Eoyal College of Sur- 
 geons on the subject of the introduction of a clause into 
 the Medical Bills which would, if assented to, empower 
 that body to institute a curriculum of education, to- 
 gether with an examining board for the purpose of certi- 
 fying to the fitness to practise of such as passed the 
 ordeal successfully ; so also the College of Dentists had 
 been displaying a commendable alacrity in seeking to 
 protect both present and future denti-sts from the opera- 
 tion of what would have been a most restrictive en- 
 actment. The workings of both these institutions were 
 producing very favourable results. Although divided in 
 opinion as to the method of progress, the profession was 
 certainly more united than it had ever been before in 
 the general desire for improvement. Its pulse was 
 beating more vigorously, and while many yet remained 
 on what may be termed neutral ground, there was a 
 greater facility in ascertaining the feeling throughout 
 the entire mass than had hitherto obtained. Provincial 
 practitioners, whether leaning to this side or to that, 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 95 
 
 were watching with the greatest interest the course, 
 events were taking in the metropolis, and this alone was 
 to be considered a matter of considerable congratulation. 
 The great obstacle in the past had been the universal 
 apathy which pervaded the profession. Within one 
 short year this indifference had passed away, if not 
 entirely, certainly to a very great extent, and was 
 replaced at this time by an unmistakable desire to 
 use such opportunities as circumstances produced or 
 develo23ed for the bettering of the dental status. Meet- 
 ing after meeting was held in quick succession at the 
 College of Dentists. Certaintly what was thought 
 necessary to be done there by the council was accom- 
 plished in the most punctual and business-like way. 
 Circulars were constantly being issued to the members 
 and the profession at large, giving every information 
 of what was either being done, or proposed to be 
 acliieved, with astonishing rapidity. Something like an 
 idea of the amount of correspondence wliich was taking 
 place at this time may be formed from the fact that the 
 author in the short space of twelve months from the 
 establishment of the college received at his private 
 house nearly two thousand letters from town and coun- 
 try dentists, each communication requiring a specific 
 and separate answer. The printed circulars which he 
 had to despatch were so numerous that they more than 
 filled up the pillar letter-box placed by the Govern- 
 ment to receive such, and had to be carried by his ser- 
 vant in huge bundles to other places. The council of 
 the college considerately offered the assistance of a 
 paid clerk, but on trial this individual not only did not 
 give any appreciable help, but required so much instruc- 
 tion that his services were soon dispensed with, and the 
 work carried on as before. The truth is, that the de- 
 partment was one which demanded expedition, and 
 admitted of no blundering. Those who have had 
 to fill similar offices will understand how the com- 
 mon saying, " If you want a thing to be done do it 
 
96 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 
 
 yourself," applied here. It was while thus engaged 
 in the summer of this year (1857) that the writer, 
 having sat at his table until half-past four o'clock in 
 the morning, and had concluded liis work by filling to 
 the full the pillar letter-box which was hard by his 
 own door, that he determined to watch the effect pro- 
 duced upon the faithful postman who in another half- 
 hour was to come for its contents. In the quiet of 
 the beautiful summer morning the messenger came 
 whistling unsuspectingly along. On arriving at his 
 destination, the key to the door of the box was 
 applied, the door itself thrown carelessly wide 
 open, and, as the result, the astonished postman 
 surrounded, well nigh to his knees, by a perfect 
 deluge of envelopes. The poor fellow lifted his cap 
 from his head, rubbed his forehead, adjusted the red- 
 bordered covering, and with an exclamation which 
 needs no repetition, cast his big bag on the pavement, 
 and commenced filling it up to the brim. It was 
 a little diversion to the writer to watch quietly, 
 and unseen, from his bedroom window, what may be 
 called " this embarrassment of a man of letters." One 
 thing was certain to both alike, there was more than 
 he could carry with him, and so, while he replaced 
 the redundancy and cruel overflow, the originators of all 
 the trouble retired to his rest. But this is a digresion, 
 for which forgiveness is asked. The occupation of 
 Mr. Eymer as Hon. Sec. to the council involved a 
 very large amount of time and trouble. Nothing, 
 however, seemed to daunt, much less dismay 
 him, and although each meeting in Cavendish Square, 
 where the college was located, demanded his coming 
 from Croydon to London, there was scarcely, if indeed 
 ever, an occasion when he was not present and at his 
 post. Mr. Fox, also, was unremitting in his depart- 
 ment, and under his care the library and museum grew 
 in order and development. Nor must Mr. Peter Mat- 
 thews' name be omitted, for, as treasurer to the college, 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 97 
 
 tlie members and council alike felt that they had a 
 careful, trustworthy, and energetic friend. Such, indeed, 
 lie proved himself to be ; his accounts were a perfect 
 pattern of correctness and complete system, the pages 
 of his books being absolutely without error, erasure, 
 or blot. The writer can testify to the excellent feeling 
 which had all along pervaded the council. As the execu- 
 tive, they individually and collectively worked cheer- 
 fully in their various offices, each \T.eing with the other 
 in the effort to conduct the affairs of the institution to 
 a successful issue. The distinct influence exerted upon 
 the profession by the establishment of the Dental 
 College was shown by the fact that at the close of its 
 fet session, in June 1857, the number of its members 
 was 218, while nearly twenty more were candidates for 
 membership in the following month, July. The council 
 had been exercising its power in the direction of purify- 
 ing the profession from the disgraceful habit of adver- 
 tising ; and in order that there should be no room for 
 controversy on tliis head, had framed a form of declara- 
 tion to be signed by all candidates for membership. 
 The following is a copy of the document itself : — 
 
 " Be,daration. 
 
 *' In consideration of my being admitted a member of the Col- 
 lege of Dentists of England, I hereby undertake and agree never 
 to insert any advertisement or advertisements (except such as may 
 be approved of by the council of the college) in any paper ; nor to 
 circulate handbills, exhibit showcases, boards, or placards, or to 
 follow any other profession, business, or calling, whilst practising 
 as a dentist, or to do anything that may be in opposition to the 
 8th and loth laws of the said college ; and in the event of my 
 departing from this agreement, I authorise the council of the said 
 college to advertise my name in the public papers as being no 
 longer a member of the College of Dentists of England, imme- 
 diately upon which I agree that my subscription or subscriptions 
 shall become forfeited to the college." 
 
 The subjoined circular was to be sent to any offend- 
 ing member : — 
 
98 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 " College op Dentists op England, 
 " 5 Cavendish Square, W. 
 
 " Sir, — The attention of tlie council having been called to yonr 
 mode of practice, I am desired to inform you that, inasmuch as 
 they consider such to be in opposition to the 8th and loth laws 
 of the college, they wish to know whether you are ready to sign 
 the enclosed declaration, as by these laws all members pursuing 
 a similar course are no longer eligible to be members of the col- 
 lege. Awaiting your reply, I am, sir, yours faithfully, 
 
 * -^ * 
 
 " Hon. Corresponding Sec. 
 " F.S. — Should you not return an answer to the above within 
 a fortnight from this date, the council will consider that you de- 
 cline to sign the declaration." ■ 
 
 Nor was this a mere document to be spoken of or 
 formally alluded to on rare occasions ; it was a veritable 
 instrument for curbing the unruly, whether the delin- 
 quent was in of&ce or only a simple member of the 
 college. One case of the former kind did occur, and the 
 result was a verification of these remarks. At the 
 monthly meetings which had been held in March, April, 
 May, and June, the following papers had been read and 
 discussed : — " On the Production of Mineral Teeth," by 
 Mr. D. Mackenzie; "On Diseased Pulp," by Mr. T. 
 Underwood ; " On Dental Caries," by (the late) Mr. A. 
 Thomson ; " On Pivoting Teeth," by Mr. W. Perkins. 
 
 The meetings on these occasions were well attended, 
 and unanimity of sentiment was stimulated by profes- 
 sional intercourse. The council was watchful over the 
 interests of the profession in general and its members 
 in particular ; and those who were in connection with 
 the college, at least, felt that it required but cautious 
 perseverance to procure many great and durable benefits 
 for themselves and others. The opposition from the 
 other side appeared ineffectual to prohibit advance, and 
 was accepted as useful in superinducing increasing caution 
 and diligence on the part of the college executive. 
 
 The Medical Bill which has been spoken of was 
 Creating a very considerable amount of interest, not 
 only in the medical but in the dental profession also. 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 99 
 
 It proposed very great alterations in the existing state 
 of things, and may be thus summarised : — It sought to 
 prevent the evils which arose from the division of 
 authority that obtained by the independent medical 
 corporations of the United Kingdom. It proposed a 
 general council formed from the various corporate bodies 
 in the persons of chosen delegates from those bodies, 
 together with a certain number of practitioners selected 
 by the Crown. This general council would be intrusted 
 with the power to determine the minutiae and general 
 arrangements for future medical education, together 
 with the issuing of diplomas, save and except such as 
 pertained to physicians. The proposal included the 
 abolition of the Apothecaries' Company. Those candi- 
 dates for a diploma — which in effect was similar to that 
 then granted by the Eoyal College of Surgeons and the 
 Apothecaries' Company — would have to submit to an 
 examination in medicine and pharmacy by a board com- 
 posed conjointly of members of the College of Physi- 
 cians and the Apothecaries' Company. Iii midwifery 
 they would be examined by a board of members of the 
 College of Physicians and CoUege of Surgeons ; and in 
 anatomy, physiology, and surgery by the College of 
 Surgeons. The examinations would have to be passed 
 in the above order. A system of registration was also 
 included in the measure, but very little was knoT^-n or 
 made public concerning this important item. Looked 
 at thus, the action proposed to be taken evinced an 
 acknowledgment on the part of the corporate bodies of 
 the general desire and necessity for the union of the 
 then divided powers into a central and supreme autho- 
 rity. As such, the circumstance appeared to be exceed- 
 ingly opportune to those who held that dental surgery 
 was a branch of general surgery, and, therefore, should 
 not be severed from it, but recognised and associated 
 with the parent stock. While the Odontological 
 Society had much to say, and many cogent reasons to 
 support their ideas on this subject, there was yet a large 
 
100 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 number of tlie medical profession who were not content" 
 to admit the force of their arguments. There was a 
 certain amount of what maybe, perhaps, called jealousy 
 lest the recognition of dentists by the College of Sur- 
 geons, and the granting of certificates after examination 
 to them, should be construed into meaning equality with 
 those who possessed the membership of the college. 
 From whatever cause the difference of opinion arose, many 
 medical practitioners held with the College of Dentists 
 of England that it was far more preferable that dentists 
 should be an independent body, and look to their own 
 college or institute for a certificate or diploma guaran- 
 teeing the fitness of the several members to practise. 
 The agit'ation which pervaded the dental profession was, 
 therefore, not confined to it, but was largely shared in 
 by the practitioners of general surgery. It is not, there- 
 fore, a matter of surprise to know that the College of 
 Dentists felt itself fortified in its efforts for an indepen- 
 dent existence by the sentiments which were held by 
 many general practitioners, and endorsing its own. The 
 two dental journals received very copious matter for 
 their columns under the head of " Correspondence," the 
 writers of these letters in many instances, and on both 
 sides, expressing themselves with a vehemence amount- 
 ing to invective. Such contributions, wherever they ap- 
 peared — and the medical journals had a considerable 
 share of them — only fanned the flame of discord, and 
 made the direction of affairs far more difficult for the 
 executive on either side. Statements and counter-state- 
 ments were unpleasantly frequent ; but one thing was 
 made apparent, and that was the determination of the 
 parties concerned to avow their opinions lustily, and 
 maintain their views and course of action with the 
 greatest pertinacity. A glance at the journals of that 
 period will give abundant proof of this. Yet throughout 
 all the confusion and strife of words the two institutions 
 were aiming steadily at but one object. How to attain 
 it, however, was the difficult point. Upon the subject 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 1 01 
 
 of tlie proposed dental department at the Eoyal College 
 of Surgeons, both, sides of the profession had come to a 
 tacit "understanding, viz., that those gentlemen Avho 
 would form the examining board should not be simply 
 surgeons. Although the idea had never been promul- 
 gated by the Odontological Society that only members 
 of the College of Surgeons practising as such should be 
 the examiners, a very general notion obtained that such 
 was indeed the intention, and it was, therefore, a matter 
 of congratulation that this misconception had materially 
 died away. The true basis for advance could only be 
 hoped for in the gradual formation of a definite opinion 
 as to what would really prove a permanent benefit to 
 the future dentist. There had been and still were fiery 
 spirits connected with these two movements ; but there 
 were those also who, possessing a calmer mind, were con- 
 tent to allow time to do its own specific work. A feeling 
 among some of the more influential members of the 
 College of Dentists was manifesting itseK in the direc- 
 tion of united action with the Odontological Society, if 
 that were possible, characterised by the publication of 
 conflicting opinions concerning the workings and ulti- 
 mate issue of the two rival bodies. As soon as the op- 
 portunity of expressing ideas offered itself, the same was 
 eagerly taken advantage of. Among the many writers 
 who, either with their own names or otherwise, indited 
 letters to the profession on the all-important subject 
 before it, Mr. W. Perkins and Mr. D. Mackenzie were 
 prominent on the college side of the question. Of course, 
 their correspondence met with prompt replies from the 
 opposing ranks, Mr. Spence Bate among others being 
 conspicuously to the fore. As the year grew, however, 
 the animus which had been formerly so painfully 
 evident appeared to be moderated, and many looked 
 hopefully towards the prospect of a blending of the 
 divided energy of those who were so untiringly working 
 one against another. With a considerable number of 
 those gentlemen who had to tliis time been so actively 
 
102 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 engaged in the matter of reform, tlie possibility of an 
 amalgamation became a subject of the highest impor- 
 tance. Their minds would involuntarily revert to it, and 
 their whole conduct was in itself a proof that, if the 
 thing could be accomplished, they would certainly assist 
 to bring it about. Contrasting their indefatigable efforts 
 with the supineness of the large number of dentists who 
 had made no sign to indicate the direction of their indi- 
 vidual proclivities, it was only a fair conclusion to 
 arrive at that so difficult and decided a result would 
 alone be obtained by those already in the field of con- 
 flict. Whether odontologists or college supporters, 
 they had alike displayed resolution enough to carry out 
 such a measure. One of the evidences of the tendency 
 towards united action appeared in a letter addressed by 
 Mr. Perkins to the editor of the " British Journal of 
 Dental Science," under date August 4, 1857, where that 
 writer, who was one of Mr. Eymer's most ardent sup- 
 porters, says — 
 
 " I might just observe, that since writing the letter which 
 appeared in the 'Lancet,' in 1855, Mr. Eymer's views have 
 undergone some alteration in regard to what might be con- 
 sidered a necessary examination. An examination of the 
 kind there mentioned would certainly have been better than 
 none at all ; but it has occurred to him, as well as to many 
 others, that such an examination would of necessity be incom- 
 plete, inasmuch as it would relate to surgery only ; and 
 it was with a view to the complete instruction and subse- 
 quent examination of all pupils intended to become dentists, 
 tliat the establishment of the College of Dentists was first 
 resolved on ; and as this object appears to be sincerely the 
 aim of both parties into which the dentists are divided, I 
 cannot help reiterating my regret that they do not work 
 together to bring about so desirable a result ; for I repeat, that 
 together they would easily obtain all they want, while, acting 
 separately, they do but neutralise each other. They are, in fact, 
 in the one case i — i =0, in the other they would be i-J-i =2." 
 
 Every step towards a fusion of action on the basis 
 of a common interest and professional elevation was 
 fraught with difficulty. The proposer of any idea to 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. IO3 
 
 this end was -weighed in the balances as to his own stand- 
 ing or the probable influence he might be expected to 
 exert. Such, indeed, was the highly-wrought sen- 
 sitiveness of that day that the motives of the lead- 
 ing men themselves were subjected to the keenest 
 and most critical analysis and dissection. Of course 
 the editorial departments of both dental journals were 
 regarded as the most reliable quarters to look for in- 
 formation. In turning to the pages of the " British 
 Journal of Dental Science," we note the following as 
 indicative of the feelings pervading the Odontological 
 Society, whose organ it was. In the number for 
 October 1857, the following remarks appear in the 
 usual leaded type : — 
 
 " It is quite true that tlie College (of Dentists) has not an- 
 nounced formally that the examination for the dental diploma may 
 be given at the College of Surgeons, but this step is proposed in 
 the October number of the journal, originated by members of the 
 council of the College of Dentists, and published as the acknow- 
 ledged organ of the college. Now, if the college is prepared to 
 adopt the proposal respecting the mixed board of examiners at 
 the College of Surgeons, it will in fact have embraced in all the 
 essential particulars the course w^hich has been consistently held 
 by the Odontological Society. Such being the case, the views 
 entertained by the two societies have so few points of essential 
 difference, that they may be said not only to be working towards 
 the same end, but that they seek to gain that end by the same path. 
 It is suggested that mutual concession must be made by the Dental 
 College and the Odontological Society ; but we do not see what 
 the latter body has to concede. Its views on the educational 
 question are adopted by the College of Dentists, and they are 
 received by the College of Surgeons ; so much so, indeed, that 
 the latter body is virtually pledged to act upon tliem. As 
 respects the fusion of the college and the society into one body, we 
 confess we do not see either the necessity, or even the expediency 
 of such a measure. Let the college be maintained as an educational 
 body, like in character to King's College or University College ; 
 W'hile the society will hold to the dental profession a similar 
 position to that which the Medical and Chirurgical Societs" holds 
 to the medical profession ; each institution may perform its own 
 part more effectually than though it w^ere encumbered with the 
 other, while the majority of the members of the one will also be 
 connected with the other. Let one be strictly subservient to the 
 
104 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 education of the students, and the other to the discussion of 
 professional subjects by those whose education has been com- 
 pleted. The third body — the board of examiners — must be alto- 
 gether independent both of the society and the college. Let 
 these arrangements be carried out, and the organisation of the 
 dental will be similar to, and upon an equality with, that of the 
 general body of the medical profession. Those already in prac- 
 tice cannot be influenced directly by the proceedings either of the 
 society, the college, or the dental department of the College of 
 Surgeons. Honours given where they are not merited reflect 
 discredit equally both upon the givers and upon the receivers. 
 A title indicating acquirements which are not possessed only 
 exposes its bearer to ridicule. An opportunity of raising the 
 professional status of the future surgeon-dentist exists : let it be 
 shown that neither ignorance, bigotry, or selfishness shall prevent 
 our seizing the opportunity." 
 
 The views of the College party were given in an 
 editorial article in the "Quarterly Journal of Dental 
 Science," in the numher for October 1857, thus — 
 
 " Before these pages can be submitted to our readers, the mem- 
 bers of the College of Dentists of England wall have received a 
 code of propositions, the result of deliberations which have been 
 going on between the councils of the College of Dentists of Eng- 
 land and the Odontological Society on the all-important subject 
 of amalgamating the two societies. We congratulate the profes- 
 sion most sincerely, that thus far there is every probability of its 
 being represented by a united body of practitioners, and that 
 hereafter we may hope to see enrolled beneath one standard every 
 respectable dentist in the three kingdoms. The College of Den- 
 tists was instituted with the intention of offering the means of 
 education to the younger members of the profession — to be, in 
 fact, the recognised medium for obtaining that knowledge which 
 was felt by all to be necessary in order that the future dentist 
 might become a thoroughly qualified person ; and we are gratified 
 to find that whatever changes are proposed, this vital, fundamen- 
 tal 'princiijiU remains unaltered. We trust that the members of 
 the college will attend the meeting to be called on the 8th of 
 January next, with a full determination to give the subject their 
 most serious attention, and decide upon the measures with the 
 strictest impartiality. Let us not forget that on the occasion in 
 question an opportunity Avill be offered to cement the interests 
 of the profession by a common tie, and that such an event will 
 most probably not occur again. Those who have laboured so 
 indefatigably in connection wdth either society cannot reasonably 
 be regarded as likely to continue their labours ad infinitum, and 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. I05 
 
 ■we feel bound to conclude, that should these proposals be dealt 
 with in any other than the most liberal way, there Y>'in be a de- 
 clension on the part of many, whose services and aid the profes- 
 sion should strive to retain. For obvious reasons we do not 
 specify these propositions in detail, but we sincerely trust that 
 shortly after the date of this meeting, the dentists of Great Britain 
 and Ireland may be represented by one institution, let it be 
 called by whatever name it may." 
 
 Onwards, then, to the close of the year the idea of 
 reform was carried, with more or less of variation in the 
 views of the parties concerned, but the general feeling 
 evidently gravitated towards a great effort at recon- 
 ciling conflicting sentiment, and securing unity of action 
 for the future. While thus looking back on the year 
 1857 ^s a w^hole, it will be necessary to consider it some- 
 what more in detail, or at any rate to summarise its 
 workings as they bore upon the profession at large. So 
 far as the College of Dentists was concerned, its execu- 
 tive had been unceasingly at their posts, and unwearied 
 in their efforts to consolidate and utilise it as an insti- 
 tution. Meetings had been systematically held each 
 month. The promised papers, together with others, had 
 been given with due regularity, and thorough discus- 
 sion of the various subjects treated of had taken place. 
 That the essays delivered were important the following 
 list of them will prove : — 
 
 " On the Production of Mineral Teeth," by Mr. D. Mackenzie. 
 " On Diseased Pulp," by Mr. Underwood. 
 " On Dental Caries," by Mr. A. Thomson. 
 " On Pivoting Teeth," by Mr. W. Perkins. 
 " On the Electric Cautery," by Mr. T. Harding. 
 " On the Alveolar Hemorrhage Compress," and the " Dentition 
 of the Lilliputian Aztecs," by Mr. R. Eeid. 
 
 " On Refining and Assaying Gold," by Mr. ."W. G. Bennett. 
 " On Mechanical Dentistry," by Mr. A. Hockley. 
 
 The appointed lecturers had given excellent lectures 
 to the students on the following subjects, viz. : — 
 
 " Descriptive Anatomy," by Dr. Steggall. 
 " Histological Anatomy, the use of the Microscope," by Jabez 
 Hogg. 
 
I06 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 " On the Skeleton," by G. Simpson. 
 " On Dental Surgery," l3y A. Carpenter. 
 '• On Substances used in Dentistry — i. Bone enamel ; 2. Metals 
 in Dental use," by Dr. Gladstone. 
 
 The library and mnse"am had each received a very 
 large amount of contributions, and could be considered 
 excellent as storehouses of great value for the students, 
 either for mental or material reference. The number of 
 adherents steadily increased as the institution and its 
 claims became better known through the influence of 
 its own members, and the published account of its 
 j^roceedings by means of the " Quarterly Journal of 
 Dental Science ; " while the growing confidence in its 
 essential usefulness and ultimate success, both within 
 its walls and without, constituted it a most important 
 subject for consideration, and object of wide-spread 
 notice. There was no disguising the fact that, as a 
 rival of and opponent to the Odontological, Society, it 
 not only held its ground tenaciously, but made steady 
 advance in its own proposed direction. During this 
 year it had very carefully drawn up the laws and con- 
 stitution, together with a code of byelaws, of the institu- 
 tion, and included therein the means whereby the dip- 
 loma of the colleo;e could alone be obtained. 
 
 On the other hand, the Odontological Society had been 
 steadily pursuing its course, its supporters constantly 
 availing themselves of every opportunity to ^^romote its 
 interests and progress. Its affairs were systematically 
 published in the " British Journal of Dental Science," 
 Avhich, as its own organ, did not fail to push forward 
 its claims for acceptance by the profession at large. 
 Papers, of which the following is a list, were read 
 at its meetings,' and altogether its establishment had 
 become considerably consolidated : — 
 
 " On the Eeduction of Limaille," by Mr. Arnold Eogers. 
 
 " On Absorption of the Ptoots of Temporary Teeth," by Mr. 
 Spence Bate. 
 
 " On the Best Method of Excluding Moisture from Teeth 
 daring the Operation of Plugging," by Mr, John Tomes. 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 10/ 
 
 " On Dental Exostosis," bj Mr. Hubert Shelley. 
 
 " On the Removal of the Four Permanent First Molars, at an 
 Early Period, in Overcrowding Arches," by Mr. Samuel Maclean. 
 
 " On Improvements in Operating Chairs/' by Mr. J. Barrett. 
 
 <' On Cleft Palate," by Mr, E. Sercombe. 
 
 " On the Cause of the Early Destruction of the Teeth," by Mr. 
 Eobertsox. 
 
 " On Capping Exposed IsTerve," by Mr. T. A. Rogers. 
 
 " On an Improved Dentist's Lathe," by Mr. G. Owen. 
 
 " On Gutta-Percha as a Permanent Stopping," by Mr. H. L. 
 Jacob. 
 
 " On the Mateiaals used by Dentists," by Mr. G. A. M. Duff. 
 
 " On the Method of Taking Impressions of Cleft Palate," by 
 Mr. E. Sercombe. 
 
 « On Plate Casting," by Mr. J. H. Statham. 
 
 With STicli a catalogue of efforts made on botli sides 
 as have thus been recorded, it was abundantly evident 
 that the latent energies of the profession were thoroughly 
 astir. One other matter, however, must be mentioned 
 before closing this chapter. 
 
 Shortly after the middle of this year, memorable in 
 the history of dentistry, a circumstance occuiTed wliicli, 
 simple in itself, operated materially upon the future 
 course of events. It was an illustration of the principle 
 acknowledged by all, and not unfrequently demon- 
 strated, that apparently insignificant causes produce 
 large and important results. Mr. Eeid, of Edinburgh, 
 was the actor, and, at the request of the author, has 
 furnished him with a succinct account of the chcum- 
 stance, which will be best given in his own words. Mr. 
 Eeid says : — " In passing through London during the 
 summer of 1857, I met with several of my professional 
 brethren, with whom the all-absorbing subject of the 
 division of the profession into two rival bodies formed 
 the topic of conversation. From what I heard, I 
 became impressed with the feeling that a considerable 
 misconception existed in the minds of the Odontologi- 
 cals I came across, as to the views and the honest 
 working of those of the college, who in a straight- 
 forward way sought to advance the status of the pro- 
 
I08 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 fession, and give it position as a learned body. That 
 impression was strengthened and afterwards confirmed 
 by wdiat passed during an interview I had with my old 
 and valued friend Mr. Tomes. On thinking over all I 
 had heard, the question arose within me, Could not a 
 better understanding be effected between the two 
 sections who, although estranged, were travelling in 
 parallel lines v\^hile worthily working to attain the 
 same end ? But how was that to be accomplished ? 
 The only way that occurred to me was, to devise the 
 means of bringing the motor powers, as it were, of each 
 section together, so that, in coming to know each other, 
 their views might be better understood, and miscon- 
 ception thereby dispelled. Acting upon this, perhaps 
 impulsive, idea — my stay in town being but short, and 
 having a strong desire to place matters on a friendly 
 footing ere I left, if at all in my power — I penned a 
 letter to Mr. Tomes, feeling the while that I was tread- 
 ing on dangerous ground on entering on such a delicate 
 undertaking. I cannot do better than give you that 
 document in extenso, from the copy I kept. It is as 
 follows : — 
 
 " ' My Dear Sir, — Casting over in my mind what passed be- 
 tween US during the interview I had the pleasure of having with 
 you to-day, I feel strongly impressed with the idea that a great 
 deal of misapprehension exists between the two bodies at present 
 representing the dental profession. I cannot express the concern 
 it gives me that members of the same family, as it were, should 
 thus be at enmity. Surely something might be done to end such 
 an unseeml}'- state of things. My time in town is limited, as I 
 propose leaving on Monday ; and could I in any way be instru- 
 mental in bringing about a meeting betwixt individual members 
 of each body, 1 need not assure you what pleasure it would afford 
 me. I am now about to make a suggestion, which, believe me, 
 comes entirely from myself, and which, if listened to on your 
 part, will, I feel confident, be as readily responded to by the party 
 I am about to name. Will you afford me an opportunity of in- 
 troducing you and Mr. Underwood to each other as individual pro- 
 fessionals ? If agreeable, I would propose that you meet on neutral 
 ground — that is, in my apartments, No. 5 Duke Street, Portland 
 Place, and that on Monday, at whatever hour you may find most 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. I09 
 
 convenient. As I have already stated, I leave on Monday even- 
 ing, and no other chance is left me of mediating in this matter. 
 An acquiescence on your part can be but regarded as a graceful 
 act by every generous-minded man, and every well-wisher of our 
 profession. Need I then say I feel hopeful — nay, confident, you 
 will accede to my proposition. I shall call on you at half-past 
 ten on Monday. If you can spare me two minutes I shall be 
 glad. If engaged, will you kindly leave for me a note, sayino- 
 how this is received. Believe me, my dear sir, ever yours most 
 sincerely, Egbert Eeid, 
 
 '■ist August 1857. 5 Duke Street, Pobtlaxd Place.' 
 
 " As intimated, I called on Mr. Tomes on the Monday 
 morning — found him very far from well; nevertheless, he 
 said he would be happy to meet Mr. Underwood, if he 
 would kindly waive ceremony by coming along to Caven- 
 dish Square, as he was too unwell to leave liis room that 
 day to get to my apartments. To this proposal I could give 
 no other answer than to say I would carry it immediately 
 to Mr. Underwood. This I did, and havinsf, with cer- 
 tain misgivings, acquainted the latter of what I had 
 done at my own hand — of Mr. Tomes' inability to meet 
 him on the proposed ' neutral ground ' owing to illness, 
 and at the same time deliverhig his message of in^^ita- 
 tion to meet him, by accompanying me to Cavendish 
 Square, Mr. Underwood in the circumstance promptly 
 acquiesced. On being shown into Mr. Tomes' apart- 
 ment I introduced the two plenipotentiaries in these 
 terms : ' Gentlemen, you know each other, and need no 
 introduction.' The frank and friendly way in which 
 they met, assured me there was a mutual desire to know 
 and be kno^\m, so that misconception might be dispelled, 
 and a right understandiug arrived at of the views of those 
 who were in truth, each after their own fashion, working 
 to effect one common good. After a few commonplaces 
 an amusing little colloquial passage-at-arms took place, 
 thrust and parry foUo^dng each other in quick succession; 
 the good-natured bantering give-and-take ending in mer- 
 riment, and the hearty hand-grasp at parting, while 
 evincing mutual esteem, raised in me a feeling of 
 
no DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 
 
 gratification that amply repaid the disquiet and the 
 misgivings I had experienced as to the issue of my 
 unauthorised attempts at mediation." 
 
 It was a happy idea which occurred to Mr. Beid thus 
 to bring together two such truly representative men, 
 and his management of the whole affair reflects the 
 greatest credit on his generosity of mind, and also on 
 his excellent tact. There was in it all through la finesse 
 of diplomacy. The proposed "neutral ground/' the 
 carefulness as to the introduction, alike proved that Mr, 
 Eeid not only understood the amount of sensitiveness 
 which had been produced by the conflict of opposing 
 sentiments, but demonstrated also his capital ability to 
 deal with it under the circumstances. The effect of that 
 interview was in itself admirable, and its results leave 
 the profession indebted to the originator of it in no in- 
 significant degree. It must be remembered that Mr. 
 Underwood had from the first warmly espoused the 
 College of Dentists' scheme, and tenaciously adhered to 
 it as the most beneficial method which could be em- 
 ployed to elevate the profession. "With excellent effect 
 he had publicly spoken in advocacy of that system, and 
 was well fitted to advance and discuss its merits in the 
 presence of such a defender of the opposite plan as Mr. 
 Tomes. Xo one who knows the latter gentleman could 
 doubt for a moment the ability with which the principles 
 and plan of the Odontological Society would be dealt with 
 when such a close reasoner and acute thinker, as Mr. 
 Tomes has ever proved himself to be, undertook to ex- 
 plain and enforce them. They were, in fact, " foemen 
 worthy of each other's steel." By this interview an 
 important barrier in the way of union was, so far, re- 
 moved. The difficulty of effecting such intercommunion, 
 and the apparent danger of failure, were painful evi- 
 dences of the estrangement which had been prevailing 
 throughout the profession, and when the feat — for it was 
 nothmg less — had been accomplished, every right- 
 minded man felt not only a sense of relief, but could 
 justly entertain a brighter hope concerning the future. 
 
( III ) 
 
 CHAPTEE y. 
 
 Matters having worked up to this point, it was a happy 
 augury that such men as Mr. Tomes and Mr. Under- 
 wood could come together and calmly discuss the sub- 
 ject in hand. The circumstance, of course, became known 
 to both institutions, and this eventuated in the resolu- 
 tion that Mr. Tomes should act in the capacity of the 
 appointed delegate from the Odontological Society, and 
 Mr. Underwood as the appointed delegate from the 
 College of Dentists, to confer together upon the subject 
 of an amalgamation of the two bodies. Armed with 
 this official authority, these two gentlemen accordingly 
 met, and the result of their conference was the fol- 
 lowing : — 
 
 " The parties delegated by the respective councils of the 
 Odontological Society and the College of Dentists of England to 
 confer upon the propriety of adopting a common course of pro- 
 cedure in respect to the organisation of the dental profession, beg 
 to recommend to their respective councils the adoption of the 
 following conclusions : — 
 
 " I. That a definite course of education shall be provided for 
 those who may in future enter upon the practice of dental 
 surgery. 
 
 " 2. That those subjects which are taught at the existing 
 medical schools, a knowledge of which is necessary to the dentist, 
 shall be learnt at such schools. 
 
 " 3. That those subjects which specially relate to dental surgery 
 shall be taught at a school established for that purpose. 
 
 "4. That a dental diploma shall be granted after an examina- 
 tion, and that the examination shall be conducted at the College 
 of Surgeons by a board composed of surgeons and dentists in equal 
 numbers. 
 
 " 5. That, in order to carry into effect the foregoing proposi- 
 tions, a committee shall be formed, consisting of three members of 
 
112 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 each, of the respective councils, namely, the College of Dentists 
 and the Odontological Society. 
 
 (Signed) " Thomas Underwood. 
 
 " John Tomes. 
 "-^TbremSer 24, 1857." 
 
 This preliminary step met with the approval of both 
 institutions, and the consequence was that it was deter- 
 mined that the subject should be further considered ; 
 and to this end three members of the council of each 
 body were delegated for that purpose. After mature 
 deliberation, the annexed propositions were mutually 
 agreed upon by these gentlemen : — 
 
 *' Proposed Terms of Amalgamation between the College of Dentists 
 of Ungland and the Odontological Society, December 19, 1857. 
 
 " I. That the two bodies shall be merged into one, and that the 
 name shall be ' The Institute of British Dentists ' — to consist of a 
 president, vice-presidents, council, officers, members, and as- 
 sociates. 
 
 " 2. That, in the event of the amalgamation taking place, the 
 united body pledges itself that it shall press upon the College of 
 Surgeons the necessity of granting, within a reasonable time, 
 special dental diplomas, on the following terms. 
 
 " 3. That the court of examiners at the College of Surgeons 
 of candidates for the dental diploma shall consist of surgeons and 
 dentists in equal numbers. 
 
 " 4. That the dental portion of the court of examiners at the 
 College of Surgeons of candidates for the dental diploma shall be 
 chosen by the amalgamated body of dentists ; and that it shall 
 not be essential that the dentists on such court shall hold the 
 diploma of the College of Surgeons. 
 
 " 5. That in the event of the College of Surgeons declining to 
 grant the above -specified dental diplomas, the Odontological 
 Society and the College of Dentists of England, in thus uniting, 
 pledge themselves that the united dental body shall grant its own 
 diploma. 
 
 "6. That the united Dental Society shall be the chief educa- 
 tional body iu all subjects connected with dental surgery and 
 mechanics. 
 
 " 7. That the council shall consist of eighteen members, six only 
 of whom shall be country members ; and that the mode of nomi- 
 nating the first council shall be, that the council of the Odonto- 
 logical Society shall choose nine members from the present 
 oliice-bearers of the College of Dentists of England, and that the 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. II3 
 
 (Council of the College of Dentists of England shall choose nine 
 members from the present office-bearers of the Odontological 
 Society. 
 
 '• 8. That the above council shall nominate a president. 
 
 " 9. That there shall be at least six vice-presidents, and that thev 
 shall be nominated and chosen in the same manner as specified 
 above for the proposed council. 
 
 "10. That there shall be a treasurer. 
 
 " II. That there shall be three honorary secretaries. 
 
 '•'12. That an assistant-secretary be engaged, who shall act as 
 librarian and curator. 
 
 " 13. That the treasurer and secretaries shall be nominated by 
 the provisional council, when formed. 
 
 " 14. The above nominated office-bearers and council shall be 
 submitted for election at a meeting of members of the united 
 body, to be convened for that purpose, and scrutineers to be ap- 
 pointed at such meeting. 
 
 " 15. One-third of the council shall retire at the end of each 
 year, but such members of council shall not be eligible for re- 
 election until a year has expired from the time of such retirement, 
 and that no member shall remain on the council longer than three 
 consecutive years. 
 
 " 16. After discharging the liabilities and obligations of each 
 society, the funds of each shall be merged into one fund. 
 (Signed) James Eobixson. 
 
 Arnold Eogers. 
 John Tomes. 
 
 Samuel Cartwright, Jun. 
 Thomas Uxderwood. . 
 
 PiOBERT HePBURX.'"' 
 
 These propositions displayed abundant evidence of 
 the deep interest in the future of the dental j)rofession 
 which the committee, both individually and collectively, 
 felt. As the product of their joint and earnest efforts, 
 it was most creditable to them all alilvC ; and it was 
 evident to those who knew the spirit and candour of 
 the signataries that this document had cost them much 
 in the direction of those sentiments which they held so 
 tenaciously. There were the traces all through it of 
 struggle. Had not the permanent benefit of the future 
 dentist been the supreme idea in the minds of each and 
 all concerned, no such conclusion could have been 
 even hoped for, much less arrived at. Considering the 
 
 H 
 
1 14 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 
 
 amourit and quality of conflicting opinion around them 
 at tliat time, it was a matter of congratulation that so 
 much forbearance and mutual conciliation had been mani- 
 fested. The important consideration was, would these 
 terms prove acceptable to the supporters of the two 
 societies ? So far as the Odontological Society was. con- 
 cerned, when the proper moment for their discussion 
 came, they were duly submitted and approved. It re- 
 mained, therefore, to be seen how they would be dealt 
 with by the College of Dentists of England. Those whom 
 the matter concerned had not long to wait in suspense. 
 A meeting of the members of the college was an- 
 nounced to take place on the evening of January 8, 
 1858, for the purpose of considering the proposed plan 
 of union. In the meantime, however, the Odontological 
 Society had resolved to hold its first public dinner ; 
 which event was to take place on the 2d of that 
 month, at the Freemasons' Tavern, Great Queen Street, 
 London. To this festival Mr. Eobinson, as president of 
 the College of Dentists, had been invited ; in itself an 
 earnest of goodwill towards the institution he repre- 
 sented. In return Mr. Eobinson very properly, and 
 with a generous spirit, waived all other considerations, 
 and accepted the proffered courtesy ; believing that by 
 so doing he would facilitate matters in many du'ections, 
 and smooth the path towards a better understanding on 
 all sides. By Ms influence he also obtained the support 
 of the personal presence of several other members of the 
 College of Dentists of England on the occasion. Mr. 
 Arnold Eogers, in the absence of the president, occupied 
 the chair, and was supported on the right by Mr. Eobinson, 
 and on the left by Mr. Jacob Bell, the latter gentleman 
 being then the president of the Pharmaceutical Society. 
 Many were the friendly expressions used, and great 
 the cordiality experienced by gentlemen of both sides. 
 Differences seemed to die a hasty and very natural 
 death in the particular atmosphere of goodwill, and 
 expectations of the best order appeared to grow and 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. II5 
 
 strengthen as by an instinct. In proposing tlie health 
 of the president of the College of Dentists of England, 
 Mr. Eogers made the following among other remarks, 
 which will serve to throw a little light upon events 
 which were in the immediate future : — 
 
 " I speak," said Mr. Rogers, " from behind the scenes ; I have 
 never had the pleasure of Mr. Robinson's acquaintance until, as 
 one of the delegates, I met that gentleman upon this important 
 business (the question of amalgamation). I shall never forget the 
 cordiality of feeling displayed by the delegates of the College 
 of Dentists, nor their heartiness in the cause of dental surgery, 
 and their disposition to carry out ever}^ arrangement by which 
 the profession might be benefited, 'WTien we came to compare 
 notes, there was scarcely any difference between us; and I venture 
 to say that if the delegates had the power granted to them, we 
 should have settled the question there and then. We had eight 
 hours most agreeable companionship. There was sometimes a 
 little controversy, but it was all conducted in a most amicable 
 disposition. I do not say there was any sacrifice of principle, for 
 there was nothing to sacrifice ; nor was there any compromise, 
 for we were both pointing to the same object, and it would have 
 puzzled the Lord Chancellor to have detected any real difference 
 between us. ... I consider that the circumstance of our having 
 had tw'O courses has been the happiest thing for the profession." 
 
 Mr. Eobinson in reply said — 
 
 " With regard to myself and the gentlemen present, I assure 
 you we never had any other wish than to raise the status of the 
 profession. The best way to do that has been the subject of 
 difference between us, but we certainly have broken the ice now, 
 and I trust we shall all be able to unite and form ourselves into one 
 strong and powerful body of dentists, equal to any other profes- 
 sion in the kingdom." 
 
 Although these were post-;prandial observations, and 
 as such may be accepted at only a certain value, yet 
 subsequent events proA'ed them to be very faithful re- 
 presentations of the sentiments held by an ever-increas- 
 ing number of dental practitioners. Undoubtedly this 
 gathering together, under pleasant social circumstances, 
 of gentlemen who had held aloof from each other, and 
 even had opposed each other, was no unimportant ele- 
 
1X6 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 ment in tlie direction of future union and progress. It 
 seems strange that up to the year of grace 1858, a use- 
 ful and honourable profession had been so uncared for 
 and integrally separated as to permit two practitioners 
 of position, like Mr. Eogers and Mr. Eobinson, to be 
 altogether unknown to one another in the manner Mr. 
 Eogers thus stated. The occasion in question appeared 
 to be a happy prognostic for the dentists of the United 
 Kingdom, and the interest concerning the forthcoming 
 meeting of the college members was heightened mate- 
 rially thereby. On the 8th of January the gathering at 
 No. 5 Cavendish Square was duly held. Mr. Eobinson, 
 as president, was in the chair, and sixty-one members 
 were present — a number which could hardly be said 
 fully to represent the college on so important an occa- 
 sion, as the names on the list at that time numbered, 
 with the associates, somewhat over three hundred. 
 
 The president, in introducing the subject, announced 
 that the propositions to be submitted were to be con- 
 sidered as a whole, and not to be taken seriatim. This 
 constituted the first difficulty. It next transpired that 
 the council of the college in their deliberative capacity 
 were not unanimous upon the subject. This produced 
 a feeling of uneasiness. There were, evidently, those 
 present who would not allow the matter to pass without 
 critical analysis. Such was the overwrought sentiment 
 which existed, that a sense of jealousy was manifested 
 in even the way in which the idea of amalgamation 
 originated. "Who," it was demanded, "first made the 
 proposition to unite the two bodies ? " And here, it was 
 apparent, lay the value and importance of Mr. Eeid's 
 procedure. Tliis question having been satisfactorily 
 answered by Mr. Underwood, the meeting went as far 
 as receiving the propositions of the delegates. The real 
 contest then began — Mr. Mackenzie, Mr. Lintott, Mr. 
 Turner, Mr. ]\Iatthews, and Mr. Perkins making strong 
 objections to the terms before them. The chief diffi- 
 culty, at least with many, appeared to be in the for- 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 11/ 
 
 feiture of the name. Tlie College of Dentists of England 
 was certainly a good and euphonious title, which had 
 been determined upon after much discussion, and was 
 admittedly most appropriate for an educational institu- 
 tion. No wonder that Mr. Eymer objected to the new 
 scheme, considering the earnestness and sustained zeal 
 he had exhibited in inaugurating, and so far helping to 
 develop, his idea of what would meet the necessities of 
 the profession. He firmly believed that there were 
 within the dental ranks men competent to examine 
 future dentists, and in every way capable of instructing 
 them in the various departments of their profession. 
 Besides this, he had been led to the conclusion that an 
 independent existence was that which dentistry, as 
 such, needed and demanded. Amongst others, there- 
 fore, Mr. Eymer, while desiring an amalgamation with 
 the Odontological Society, felt that the terms proposed 
 were incompatible with what he considered principle 
 and honour. The meeting was a prolonged one, and 
 after an animated discussion, the proposed terms of the 
 delegates were put from the chair. The votes recorded 
 were — For the amalgamation, 27 ; agains-t it, 34 — 
 majority, 7. 
 
 The measure was accordingly lost. The result thus 
 attained was productive of much feeling on all sides. 
 The college delegates, Messrs. Eobinson, Hepburn, and 
 Underwood, construed it into an expression of want of 
 confidence in them, and consequently resigned their 
 of&cial positions — the first as president, the two latter as 
 members of council. Messrs. Eogers, Ghrimes, Fox, and 
 the writer having supported the delegates at the meetings 
 of council, and also at the general ^neeting, felt that the 
 same course was alone open to them, and they also con- 
 sequently vacated their of&cial positions. With regard to 
 those members of the governing body who had voted 
 against the plan proposed, it may be asserted that much 
 regret was experienced by them at the failure of this 
 attempt at union \ so much so, indeed, was this the case 
 
Il8 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 that they by no means abandoned the hope of succeed- 
 ing througii another attempt which they were prepared 
 to make. Outside the college regret deepened into dis- 
 satisfaction, because it was generally thought that had 
 the meeting in question been more numerously attended, 
 the opposite result to that which had been arrived at 
 would have been secured. With the Odontological 
 Society there was the settled determination to do no 
 more in the direction of uniting or attempting to unite 
 with the College of Dentists. The council and members 
 generally of that society had placed the measure in the 
 hands of three gentlemen in whom they had unlimited 
 confidence. Their proposals had been accepted by 
 them, and when they were rejected by the College of 
 Dentists in meeting assembled^ they concluded that it 
 was unnecessary to try further. This resolution was 
 confirmed \)^ their determination to hold no more cor- 
 respondence with the Dental College on the subject. 
 At the annual general meeting of the college, which was 
 held January 21, 1858, the subject, as might be expected, 
 was included in the report presented to the members 
 for adoption. The chairman, Mr. P. Matthews, brought 
 it forward, expressing his own regret, and that also of 
 the council, that the proceedings on this important 
 matter had terminated in the way then so well known. 
 He also alluded to the great loss the college staff had 
 sustained in the resignation of those gentlemen whose 
 names have been already mentioned. Admitting that 
 the meeting, whose decision had produced so much sen- 
 sation throughout the profession, had been deprived of 
 the opportunity of a full expression of opinion by the 
 members generally, tl^ough the fact that no provision had 
 been made in the laws for receiving votes by proxy, Mr. 
 Matthews acknowledged the necessity of immediately 
 attempting to remedy tha,t palpable defect. There can 
 be no doubt that the feeling of that meeting was that 
 the amalgamation question was either not settled at all, 
 or not properly settled. Mr, Rymer himself was under 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITA.IN. II9 
 
 that impression, for he remarked that he should use his 
 influence with the council to call another meetinsf to 
 reconsider it * Mr. S. Tibbs expressed his earnest desire 
 that the gentlemen who had resigned, as a consequence 
 of the rejection of the terms proposed, should be pressed 
 to continue in office or withhold their resi2;nations until 
 the question had been submitted in such a manner as 
 that town and country members might have ther oppor- 
 tunity of recording their opinions. Mr. Tibbs was a 
 vice-president of the college, and he believed that 
 if this action were taken the decision of the former 
 meeting would be reversed. In submitting his proposi- 
 tion to the meeting then assembled he met with a very 
 cordial response, every hand being held up in token of 
 acquiescence. Mr. Eobinson, in concurring with the 
 unanimous wish of those present, that he and others 
 who had resigned should return to office, and speaking 
 on behalf of those gentlemen who had resigned, said — 
 " We now go on, then, upon these terms : — If we are 
 beaten by proxy upon the amalgamation question, we con- 
 sider ourselves open to take any course we please ; and 
 if we should not be beaten, we shall join in any and 
 all measures to advance the interests of the associated 
 members and of the profession at large." This meeting 
 ended by Mr. Matthews vacating the presidential chair 
 in favour of Mr. Eobinson, a vote of thanks being passed 
 to the former gentleman for the efficient manner in 
 which he had fulfilled the duties of his office, to Mr. 
 Fox for his exertions as curator, and, finally, by the 
 adoption of a resolution proposed by Mr. Eymer tliat 
 the special meeting for the alteration of the bye-laws 
 should be adjourned to a day not named. On the 8th 
 of February 1858, the meeting here alluded to was held 
 at the college rooms for the purpose of adding the 
 following words, by way of amendment, to Law No. 1 3, 
 viz. : — " Members of the college residing beyond twenty 
 miles of Charincj Cross shall be entitled to vote by 
 * Quarterly Journal of Dental Science, vol. ii. p. 95. 
 
I20 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 proxy in the election of council and officers, and all 
 other questions of importance in general, and special 
 general meetings." Mr. Eobinson was in the chair. 
 Mr. Matthews proposed the motion, and Mr. Under- 
 wood seconded it. Such, however, was the spirit of dis-^ 
 agreement, even upon such a plain matter as this, that 
 an amendment was proposed. The power to move an 
 amendment was ruled against by the chairman, and 
 after a considerable discussion on the original motion, 
 the same was at length carried, with only one dissen- 
 tient voice. Another and special meeting was held " to 
 reconsider the terms of amalgamation proposed by the 
 late delegates," which, through real or supposed tech- 
 nical difficulties touching the 13th law of the college, 
 resulted in the dissolution of the meeting without any 
 agreement being arrived at. This was on March 4th. It 
 was speedily followed, March 27th, by a special general 
 meeting of the college, " for the purpose of taking the 
 sense of the members upon the course to be pursued in 
 consequence of the rejection of the proposed terms of 
 amalgamation." Mr. Eobinson occupied the chair. 
 Having explained that the then position of the council 
 was considered to be anomalous, it had been determined 
 to consult the members upon the position of the college. 
 All the proxy papers which up to that time had been 
 received were destroyed — a motion to that effect having 
 passed the meeting. In consequence of the terms of 
 amalgamation having been rejected, several of the 
 original office-bearers declined being put in nomination 
 for the new council. Mr. Mackenzie moved " that as 
 the council has never been dissolved, it is still in active 
 existence, and consequently cannot be in an anomalous 
 position ; and that it be requested to call a general 
 meeting to fill up the vacancies in its body occasioned 
 by the resignation of some of its members." Mr. 
 Underwood, with his usual clearness, stated that it was 
 his decided opinion that the delegates were requested to 
 return to office for the purpose of testing the feeling of 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 121 
 
 the members at large upon tlie same terms wMch had 
 been placed before the members on the 8th of January. 
 This opinion, it is certain, was that of the delegates and 
 those who supported them. However, Mr. Tibbs moved 
 an amendment to the effect that a sub- committee of five 
 should be appointed whose duty should be to endeavour 
 to collect a council from amongst the members who 
 would act with unanimity ; which motion, having been 
 duly seconded, was, after considerable discussion, car- 
 ried. The gentlemen elected .for this purpose were 
 Messrs. Purland, Weiss, Bartlett, Imrie, junior, £ind 
 Harding. 
 
 Apart from the feeling of disapprobation which was 
 felt by many members of the college at the refusal to 
 accept the terms of the joint- delegates, the college had 
 to suffer the loss of its president, six vice-presidents, 
 eleven members of council, its honorary corresponding 
 secretary, and the curator and librarian. Tliis maybe con- 
 sidered the commencement of the throes of dissolution. 
 The president and council of the Odontological 
 Society summoned a special general meetmg of its 
 members on the evening of the 19th of March 1858, to 
 hear the report which the council had to make concern- 
 ing its communications with the College of Surgeons on 
 the subject of the introduction of a dental department 
 into that body, and also what had been the results touch- 
 ing the proposed amalgamation of the society and the 
 College of Dentists. The report presented the various 
 facts with which it had had to deal in the order in which 
 they had occurred. Hence we come to the statement 
 of the well-known circumstance that eighteen gentlemen 
 had, on nth December 1855, sent in the celebrated me- 
 morial to the Eoyal College of Surgeons. That document 
 has already been frequently alluded to ; it is not, there- 
 fore, necessary to introduce it again here. It appeared 
 that "no definite reply having been received to tliis 
 memorial down to February 1857, and Mr. Headlam, 
 M.P., having given notice that he would, dicing that 
 
122 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 session of Parliament, introduce a Bill for the regulation 
 of tlie medical profession, it was thought desirable again 
 to draw the attention of the college to that memorial, 
 to solicit an answer, and to press upon their considera- 
 tion the further suggestions contained in the following 
 memorial : — 
 
 " To the President, Vice-President, and Council of the Royal 
 College of Surgeons of England. 
 
 " London, February 22, 1857. 
 
 " Gentlemen, — It will be recollected that a memorial was 
 
 presented to your college in November 1855, in which the present 
 state of the dental profession was set forth, with a statement of 
 its educational requirements ; and it was suggested for the consid- 
 eration of the council, whether a department of dental surgery 
 might not be instituted. The memorialists have not received an 
 answer to that memorial, but they have heard incidentally that 
 the charter held by the college does not empower the council to 
 institute a separate department of dental surgery. 
 
 " Since the presentation of that memorial the Odontological 
 Society has been formed, and the majority of the memorialists are 
 members of its council. They collectively entertain the opinions 
 exjjressed in the memorial, and beg to address you from their 
 present position. The council of the Odontological Society, feel- 
 ing strongly that dental surgery is, if legitimately pursued, strictly 
 a i3ranch of surgery, consider that the absence of an answer to 
 the memorialists indicates that the subject of the memorial was 
 favourably entertained by the president and council of the College 
 of Surgeons, and that the legal difficulty has, for the present, 
 interfered with the adoption of any definite line of action. They 
 consider that the college presides over the subject of surgery, and 
 regard an unsanctioned attempt to remove from its guardianship 
 any department of surgery both as disrespectful to the college 
 and injurious to the interests of the profession. If this interpre- 
 tation of the silence on the part of your council be correct, they 
 beg to suggest whether power may not be obtained, under the 
 Medical Bill which is about to be brought before Parliament, 
 which shall enable the college to establish a department of dental 
 surgery, consisting conjointly of members of its council and of 
 gentlemen engaged in dental practice. The excitement which at 
 present prevails in the dental profession renders it necessary that 
 some definite course should be at once adopted in respect to the 
 education and recognition of dental practitioners. The council 
 of the Odontological Society beg, therefore, to solicit the imme- 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 1 23 
 
 diate consideration of the memorial, in order that they mar be 
 placed in a position to pursue such measures as may be deemed 
 expedient. 
 
 (Signed) W. A. Harrison, M.E.C.S.E. 
 
 John H. Parkinson. 
 
 Arnold EoGERs, F.E.C.S.E. 
 
 William Eobertson. 
 
 Thomas A. EoCxErs, M.E.C.S.E. 
 
 John Tomes, F.E.S. 
 
 H. J. Barrett, M.E.C.S.E. 
 
 Edwin Saunders, F.E.C.S.E. 
 
 James Salter, M.B., M.E.C.S.E. 
 
 J. A. Ibbetson, M.E.C.S.E. 
 
 John H. Parkinson, Jun., M.E.C.S.E. 
 
 James Parkinson. 
 
 William M. Bigg. 
 
 Alfred Canton, M.E.C.S.E. 
 
 Hubert Shellet,M.B. Loud., M.E.C.S.E." 
 
 In the list of simataries to this address it will be 
 noticed that the following, which were appended to the 
 original memorial, do not appear, viz. : — Messrs. S. 
 Cartwright, H. L. Featherstone, and J. L. Craigie ; while 
 those of W. A. Harrison and William Eobertson are 
 new. 
 
 "Within a month the college through their secretary 
 replied to this as under : — 
 
 " Royal College of Surgeons op England, 
 March 13, 1857. 
 "Sir, — The memorial from the council of the Odontological 
 Society of the 22d ult., together with a former memorial from 
 certain practitioners of dental surgery, have been laid before the 
 council of this college. I am desired to acquaint you that the 
 reply to the memorial from the practitioners of dental surgery 
 was delayed, pending the issue of the conferences between this 
 college and the other medical corporations of the United King- 
 dom with reference to the legislative measure lately brought 
 before Parliament. I am also desired to acquaint you that the 
 legal advisers of the college are of opinion that the college cnn- 
 not institute the proposed special examination in dental surgery 
 without the authority of a supplemental charter, and that the 
 council would not feel justified in applying to the Crown for 
 such charter under their existing engagements with the other 
 medical corporations above referred to ; but wishing the society 
 
124 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 every success in tlieir laudable efforts to raise the character of 
 their branch of the profession, would suggest that the society 
 might petition Parliament to be placed, either independently 
 or in connection Avith this college, under the supervision and 
 authority of the general council proposed in the Bill of the 
 medical corporations. At the same time the council enter- 
 tain a strong opinion that the surgical qualification for the pro- 
 posed examination of practitioners of dental surgery should be 
 the same as that required for the membership of the college. — 
 I am, sir, your very obedient servant, 
 
 " Edm. Belfour, Secretary. 
 '•W. A. Harrison, Esq." 
 
 The petitioners had waited long — since December 
 1855 — and patiently, and this answer arriving at last 
 could not be said to carry much comfort with it. The 
 explanation concerning the time which had elapsed was 
 satisfactory enough, considering the importance of the 
 subject which had absorbed it all; but the result of the 
 council's deliberation upon the prayer of the petitioners 
 was altogether unsatisfactory. Whatever the College 
 of Surgeons thought its executive might desire to do 
 for the dentists, the ability was wanting. An altered 
 charter alone could effect the purpose proposed : this 
 they did not feel disposed to ask for from the Crown — 
 at any rate, not just then ; and so the memorialists, if 
 they still thought proper to pursue their course, might 
 just as well do their own business by appearing as 
 applicants, or rather suppliants, at the feet of Parlia- 
 ment. The final clause of Mr. Belfour's letter, even in 
 the event of the memorialists obtaining the sanction of 
 Parliament to be affiliated to the College of Surgeons, 
 left matters pretty much in static quo ante. It is not a 
 matter of much surprise, then, to find the Odontological 
 Society, through its council, taking up the pen to address 
 the College of Surgeons once more. The society con- 
 sidered the college rejoly indefinite, and believing that 
 there was some misunderstanding of their ideas upon 
 the subject of what they proposed as qualifications for 
 future dentists, a committee was appointed to address 
 the college authorities again. The College of Dentists 
 
.'DENTAL RjEFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 12$ 
 
 'of England, and those wlio sympathised with it, were re- 
 joiced beyond measure when the reply from Lincoln's Inn 
 Fields reached the Odontological Society, and was made 
 public through the "British Journal of Dental Science." 
 •The exultation which abounded was represented in the 
 " Quarterly Journal of Dental Science " thus : — " In all 
 the controversy that has taken place with respect to 
 the dental movement, we have not read or heard of 
 defence of the conduct of the eighteen, except from 
 themselves. Even those who have most strongly op- 
 posed the establishment of the College of Dentists have 
 admitted that these dozen and a half of gentlemen com- 
 mitted an act of unpardonable assumption. They would 
 have had just as much right to speak for the surgeons 
 of England as they had for the dentists ; and we have 
 too high an opinion of the distinguished men who sit on 
 the council of the College of Surgeons to imagine for 
 one moment that they would countenance such an 
 imposition. They have stamped the arrogant preten- 
 sion of the memorialists with the most withering brand 
 they could affix to it, by not deigning a reply to their 
 humble prayers ; and the council of the college could 
 have done nothing else, without being guilty of an 
 assumption equally as unwarrantable as that of the 
 petitioners ; for by what right could the College of Sur- 
 geons deal with the whole body of dentists without the 
 consent of the parties to be affected? ^Ylien driven 
 to it, the eighteen had to admit that they spoke 
 only for themselves — that is, that they had no autho- 
 rity but their own, though they demanded from a 
 body not entitled to grant it an act of professional 
 legislation which was to affect every dentist in the king- 
 dom. What would have been said of tlie College of 
 Surgeons had it hated such a proceeding as that ? 
 Why, that it and the eighteen were well matched, and 
 that the sooner a reformation was introduced into its 
 councils the better." 
 
 In the meantime, the Odontological Society appointed 
 
126 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 a committee for the express purpose of addressing the 
 College of Surgeons, in order to rectify any misappre- 
 hension concerning the views it held, and further to 
 promote the all - important subject. The following 
 memorial was accordingly drawn up, and presented to 
 the college : — 
 
 " To the President and Council of the Royal College of Surgeons 
 
 of England. 
 
 ' " Odontological Society, April 4, 1857. 
 
 " Gentlemen, — The president and council of the Odontological 
 Society beg to acknowledge a communication from the council 
 of the Royal College of Surgeons in answer to two memorials 
 addressed to the college on the subject of the dental profession. 
 The memoriahsts beg also to state that they fully appreciate the 
 consideration which has been given to the memorials, and the 
 approval which the council has expressed in regard to the efforts 
 they are making for the advancement of their branch of the pro- 
 fession. There are, however, certain points mooted, both in the 
 memorials and in the reply to which the president and council of 
 the Odontological Society respectfully request the further atten- 
 tion of the council of the college, and uj)on which they solicit a 
 more explicit expression of its opinion. At the time the subject 
 was considered by the college, a Medical Bill was before Parlia- 
 ment, and the council was pleased to suggest that the Odonto- 
 logical Society might petition Parliament to be placed under the 
 general council proposed in the Bill, either independently or in 
 connection with the college. But the Bill is now no longer 
 before Parliament, the time of its introduction is indefinitely 
 postponed, and its eventual introduction in the form recently 
 proposed is, in the minds of many, a matter of great doubt. The 
 council of the Odontological Society beg, therefore, to suggest, 
 whether, under the new combination of circumstances, means for 
 instituting a department of dental surgery, in the manner origin- 
 ally suggested by the memorialists, might not be taken, without 
 immediate reference to a comprehensive Medical Bill ; and to 
 ask, if such a step should at the present time be deemed inexpe- 
 dient, whether the college, in any measure which may hereafter 
 be brought before Parliament for the regulation of the medical 
 profession, would induce, or render active assistance in inducing, 
 the recognition of dental surgery as a department of the medical 
 profession to be placed in connection with the College of Surgeons, 
 somewhat in the manner proposed by the memorialists. In the 
 communication referred to, the council expresses the following 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 12/ 
 
 opinion : — ' At tlie same time, the council entertain a stron^ 
 opinion that the surgical qualification for the proposed examina- 
 tion of practitioners of dental surgery should be the same as that 
 required for the membership of the college.' The president and 
 council of the Odontological Society are fully prepared to show 
 that the acquisition of a fair amount of proficiency in the re- 
 quirements peculiar to dental practice necessitates close applica- 
 tion on the part of the student oyer a period of little short of three 
 years ; and are of opinion that any attempt to materially shorten 
 that term would be attended with great disadyantage. If three 
 years be added to the curriculum already enjoined by the college, 
 the education of the dental surgeon becomes more extended, both 
 as regards knowledge and the period of ptipilage, and more expen- 
 sive than that required of the surgeon. The memorialists do not 
 suggest education and an examination inferior to that required of 
 the medical practitioner ; but propose a certain difference in limd 
 only — not a difi"erence in degree — an education and an examination 
 specially adapted to the requirements of the dental surgeon as dis- 
 tinguished from that fitted to the general surgeon. They would 
 suggest a curriculum extending over four or five years, and 
 embracing all the subjects necessary to a perfect qualification. 
 Under existing circumstances, the dentist must pursue his special 
 studies either after he has passed the college or before he enters 
 upon the medical curriculum. Either course is attended with so 
 much inconvenience, and so large an expenditure of time, and the 
 college diploma, when obtained, is regarded as so imperfect an 
 indication of the possessor's fitness for the pectiliarities of dental 
 practice, that out of 1500 individuals who follow this branch of 
 the profession scarcely more than 30 have become members of the 
 college. The president and council of the Odontological Society 
 are of opinion, that if a suitable course of education were insti- 
 tuted, and an examining board established by the College of 
 Surgeons, upon the plan indicated in the communication from the 
 Odontological Society, very few dentists would in future enter 
 upon practice without previously acquiring the proposed qualifi- 
 cation ; but that, if the existing curriculum be insisted on, and a 
 special one superadded, the dental pupil would feel that a higher 
 qualification was required of him than of the surgeon, and in the 
 absence of a legal prohibition would probably dispense with the 
 profi"ered qualification, and enter upon practice, as at 'present^ wiili 
 such attainments as may have fallen within his reach. The 
 favourable manner in which the suggestions advanced by the 
 memorialists have been received by the council of the College of 
 Surgeons has encouraged the council of the Odontological Society 
 to solicit attention to the foregoing points in connection with a 
 reconsideration of the preceding memorials. They feel that the 
 more fully the subject is investigated, the more apparent will it 
 
I2S DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 become that the establishment of a department of dental surgery 
 by the College of Surgeons upon the principle advanced by the 
 memorialists, to meet the existing necessity, will not only prove 
 advantageous to dental practitioners and the public, but to the 
 medical schools and the profession at large. The anxiety for 
 educational advancement among members of the dental profession 
 evinced by the present agitation, renders it necessary that some 
 measure should be taken for the recognition of this branch of the 
 profession ; and the president and council of the Odontological 
 Society feel that the College of Surgeons is the proper source from 
 whence these measures should emanate. They beg again, there- 
 fore, most respectfully to direct the attention of the council of the 
 college to the subject, and to solicit a decided expression of its 
 opinion upon the general points advanced in this and the former 
 address. 
 
 . (Signed) W. A. Haerison, M.E.C.S.E. 
 Arnold Eogers, F.E.C.S.E. 
 John H. Parkinson. 
 Edwin Saunders, F.E.C.S.E. 
 John H. Parkinson, Jun., M.E.C.S. 
 Samuel Cartwright, Jun., M.E.C.S. 
 John Tomes, F.E.S. 
 James Parkinson. 
 Thomas A. Eogers, M.E.C.S.E. 
 Hubert Shelley, M.B. Lond., M.E.C.S.E. 
 William M. Bigg. 
 Alfred Canton, M.E.C.S.E. 
 H. J. Barrett, M.E.C.S.E. 
 G. A. Ibbetson, M.E.C.S.E." 
 
 TMs document was valuable as explanatory, to a far 
 greater degree, of the views and desires of the peti- 
 tioners than tliose which, had preceded it, and it must 
 not be forgotten, in considering it, that it was not 
 now the embodiment, to this point, of the sentiments 
 of the eighteen gentlemen only who first memorialised 
 the College of Surgeons. It was fairly to be under- 
 stood as representing the feeling of the entire Odon- 
 tological Society on the subject. This gave to it a 
 very much greater importance, and although the con- 
 tinued petitioning from this quarter of the authorities 
 in Lincoln's Inn Fields was still without the sanction 
 of the profession at large, and also, that a portion, by 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 1 29 
 
 no means an insignificant one, of the body of dental 
 practitioners was distinctly opposed to the step thus 
 taken, yet its increased representative quality could not 
 be ignored or denied. In other words, there were very 
 inany more than eighteen members of the profession, 
 and several of these men of the highest position as 
 dentists, who not only had come to think, but were thus 
 willing to act, with the original memorialists in asking 
 for affiliation with the College of Suro-eons. The council 
 of the college doubtless recognised the augmentation of 
 influence thus brought to bear : but whether it did so 
 or not, there was no longer the disagreeable waiting for 
 a reply as formerly. A pause of only four days sufficed 
 to elicit the following answer : — 
 
 " KoYAii College of Surgeons of England, 
 A'gril 8, 1857. 
 
 " Sir, — I am desired to acknowledge the receij^t of the memorial 
 of the 4th instant, addressed to the council of this college by 
 the president and council, of the Odontological Society, acknow- 
 ledging the receipt of the reply from the council of this college 
 of the 13th ultimo to the former memorials from the Odontologi- 
 cal Society, and suggesting — as the Medical Bill referred to in such 
 letter of the 13th ultimo is no longer before Parliament, and its 
 eventual reintroduction is, in the minds of many, amatter of great 
 doubt— that the recognition of dental surgery as a dej>artment 
 of the medical profession be placed in connection with this 
 college. And I am desired in reply to the said memorial to 
 state, that the council of this college have the strongest assu- 
 rance that the Bill for the regulation of the medical profession 
 will be introduced without delay on the reassembling of Parlia- 
 ment ; and that having entered into engagements with the 
 other medical corporations in respect to the qualifications for 
 obtaining a license to practise surgery, they are withheld, pend- 
 ing the fate of the said Bill, from entering into any negotiation, 
 the object of which would be to admit members or associates of 
 the college upon other conditions than those proposed by the 
 Bill ; and that the council can therefore only repeat the recom- 
 mendation oHered to the Odontological Society in their reply ot 
 the 13th ultimo, that the society should petition Parliament, 
 when reassembled, to be placed, either independently, or in 
 connection with this college, under the supervision and authority 
 
 I 
 
130 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 of tlie general council proposed in the Bill of the medical cor- 
 porations. I am, sir, your most obedient servant, 
 
 Edm. Belfour, Secretary. 
 "^y. A. Harrison, Esq." 
 
 AltlioiTgli this response was not all that could l)e 
 wished, still the Odontological Society could congratu- 
 late itself on the advance made, for such it really was ; 
 and so, having succeeded in gaining the attention and 
 enlisting the sympathy of the College of Surgeons, it 
 determined to leave nothing undone that could be ac- 
 complished ; and, accordingly, believing that further 
 explanation would m.ake the future progress easier, it 
 addressed another communication to the council. The 
 following is a copy of the same : — 
 
 " Odontological Society, April 30, 1857. 
 
 " Gentlemen, — We are desired by the president and council 
 of the Odontological Society to acknowledge the receipt of the 
 communication of the 8th instant from the council of the College 
 of Surgeons in reply to the memorial presented by the Odontolo- 
 gical Society on the 4th April, and to thank the council for the 
 promptness of their reply. As it would appear from that reply 
 that the council of the college feels some difficulty in entering at 
 once upon the consideration of the establishment of a dental 
 department, in consequence of its engagements with the other 
 medical corporations in respect to the pending Medical Bill, we 
 are desired to inquire whetlier the council of the Odontological 
 Society may expect that measures will be taken for the institution 
 of a department of dental surgery when the fate of the said Medi- 
 cal Bill has been determined ? We are also desired to draw the 
 attention of the council of the college to the fact, that the memo- 
 rialists, in suggesting the estabhshment of a department of dental 
 surgery, have contemplated, not that students who may pass such 
 department shall be considered as members of the college, but as 
 licentiates of this department only, — the terms of the reply of the 8th 
 instant having led the council of the Odontological Society to sup- 
 pose that this point has not been fully understood by the council of 
 the College of Surgeons. And we are desired to state, that although 
 the present position of the dental profession may notnecessitate the 
 immediate institution of an examining board, and a curriculum of 
 education, yet that the feeling entertained by dental practitioners 
 upon the suV)ject is such as to require an assurance that this will be 
 effected without any unnecessary delay. The j)resident and council 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. I3I 
 
 of the Odontological Society beg, therefore, to again call the 
 attention of the council of the college to the points mooted in 
 the memorial, and in the present communication. 
 (Signed) John Tomes. 
 
 Samuel Cartwright, Jun. 
 Thomas A. Rogers. 
 " To the President and Council of the Royal College 
 of Surgeons of England." 
 
 Gradually, then, the more detailed ideas of the peti- 
 tioners were, as in this address, made plain to the Col- 
 lege of Surgeons ; and little by little the perseverance 
 of the Odontologists was acknowledged by expressed 
 hopes, assurances, and promises from the executive in 
 Lincoln's Inn Fields. The willingness to enter into the 
 consideration of the subject proposed to them was only 
 equalled by the business-like promptitude of the replies 
 sent. To those who know how difficult it is to gain the 
 ear of corporations, as a rule, and with what wonderful 
 facility and complacency the most important subjects 
 are often quietly shelved, the result thus far secured 
 will appear, as indeed it was, a very distinct success for 
 the petitioners. There must have been an immense 
 ■amount of energy displayed somewhere^ and the author 
 will have no difficulty in pointing to the spring and 
 source of it in the proper place. Fifteen days more and 
 the following reply came to hand : — 
 
 " Royal College of Surgeons of England, 
 MoAj 15, 1857. 
 " Gentlemen, — In reply to your communication of the 30th 
 nit., I am directed by the president and council of this college to 
 call your attention to the suggestion offered in their letter of the 
 13th of March last, of petitioning the House of Commons, or, at 
 least, of putting yourselves into communication with the members 
 of the House who have the charge of tlie Medical Bill. The 
 council are of opinion that this mode of proceeding would be the 
 most direct and eifectual plan for promoting the object which the 
 Odontological Society has in view. The council of this college, 
 in s-;inctioning such application to the Legislature, cannot be 
 imaware that they are encouraging the wish expressed by the 
 Odontological Society of the connection of its members with the 
 College of Surgeons '; and the council beg to assure you that it is 
 
132 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 
 
 only in consequence of tlieir present engagements with, other 
 medical corporations, and of the uncertainty in respect of the 
 future powers of the college, pending the discussion of the 
 Medical Bill, that they are now prevented from considering 
 and duly weighing the conditions under which they would be 
 disposed to accede to the proposal of instituting a new class of 
 surgeon-dentists. — I have the honour to be, gentlemen, your very 
 obedient servant, Ed:m:. Belfour, Secretary.^^ 
 
 So far as this correspondence had gone, there was 
 miicli to be gathered from it which would go to inspire 
 with hope those who felt that association with the 
 College of Surgeons would hest promote the interests 
 of the dental profession. Still this last letter left the 
 work mainly in the hands of the Odontological Society. 
 They were recommended to petition the House, or win 
 over the members of Parliament connected with this 
 Medical Bill to see with them in the matter. This 
 involved an extra effort, and accordingly a deputation 
 was selected and appointed to wait upon Mr. Headlam. 
 Arrangements were made for an interview with that 
 gentleman, and the same took place on the 2d of June. 
 A technical difficulty, however, lay across the path. It 
 appeared that at that particular stage of the Bill Mr. 
 Headlam, beiag the proposer of the Bill, could not in- 
 troduce a clause into the measure. He, however, not 
 only did not object to a clause embodying the proposal 
 of the Odontological Society to the College of Surgeons, 
 as such, being inserted, but promised his support to it, 
 if some independent member of the House could be 
 obtained to propose it. This member was, therefore, to 
 be sought and his acquiescence obtained, while the 
 clause to be inserted must be drawn up, and that also 
 with particular care. The council of the Odontological 
 Society, therefore, put themselves into communication 
 with the solicitor to the Eoyal College of Surgeons 
 (Mr. Wilde), who drew up the following clause for the 
 purpose in hand : — 
 
 " The Medical Profession Bill No. i. — Clause proposed to 
 be added after Clause 38: 'It shall, notwithstanding anything 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 1 33 
 
 herein contained, be lawful for Her Majesty, bv charter, to grant 
 to the Royal College of Surgeons of England power to institute 
 and hold examinations for the purpose of testing the fitness of 
 persons to practise as dentists, who may be desirous of being so 
 examined, and to grant certificates of such fitness.'" 
 
 The next step was to obtain the assistance of such a 
 member of Parliament as had been indicated by Mr. 
 Headlam. In reference to this, the late Mr. Arnold Eogers 
 felt sure of the aid of Mr. Walpole, but, from causes 
 beyond his control, that gentleman failed him. Mr. 
 Tomes, however, with his usual caution and forecast, 
 had reserved his action in the matter, and was prepared 
 to ask Mr. A. Beresford Hope to introduce the clause, 
 to which that gentleman courteously acceded. 
 
 The council of the College of Dentists, on the other 
 hand, had not been idle. Their attention had, of course, 
 been directed towards the Medical Bill, and Mr. Under- 
 wood, who from his first connection with the collec^e had 
 worked ^^ith great assiduity and zeal in its interests, 
 called the notice of the members to what would be the 
 effect of the measure on dentists without a medical 
 qualification ; hence the action taken by the executive 
 of the Dental College, as already recorded. The 
 decision on the part of the latter to reject the terms of 
 amalgamation, and the resolution of the Odontolo^ical 
 Society to entertain no further proposition concerning 
 them, left the breach already existing between these 
 two sections of the profession as wide, if not ^vider than 
 ever. The result, as it touched the college party, was, 
 that not long after the verdict had been given, a loss of 
 about sixty members in all had to be sustained. The 
 council of the college needed reconstruction, and even- 
 tually this was accomplished. Difficulty had been 
 experienced by those to whom tliis duty had been 
 assigned, especially in obtaining a gentleman to fill the 
 presidential chair. The reason for the non-compliance 
 with the sub-committee's request is given in the circu- 
 lar or report of their action in this matter. It is there 
 
134 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 stated that some gentlemen declined to be nominated 
 unless previously assured that an amalgamation with 
 the Odontological Society was certain. The names of 
 these gentlemen whether proposed for the office of 
 president or for seats at the council table are not given, 
 but the fact is significant. When the meeting took 
 place, May 21, 1858, the nomination papers appeared 
 mth a blank opposite the word "President," while 
 twelve new names were printed as those of gentlemen 
 designed for the council, together with one for the hono- 
 rary corresponding secretary, and another for the libra- 
 rian and curator. At that meeting between twenty and 
 thirty only of the members attended. After a great deal 
 of discussion, coupled with numerous protests from Mr. 
 Fox, the house list, with Mr. Peter Matthews as president, 
 was accepted by the meeting. One of the first acts of 
 the new executive at No. 5 Cavendish Square was to 
 issue a circular, signed by the honorary corresponding 
 secretary, Mr. A. Hockley, and addressed to the members 
 of the college. One of its statements was to the follow- 
 ing effect, viz. : — " The bye-law requiring candidates for 
 membership to. undergo an examination prior to admis- 
 sion has not been submitted to a meeting of the body of 
 members for sanction, and that the intention of applying 
 for such sanction is not for the present entertained. All 
 dentists practising as such exclusively and legitimately 
 are therefore eligible for membership." It is needless 
 to say that the abandonment, thus prefigured, of the 
 examination test aroused many, and made them feel 
 that the original ideas of the promoters of the college 
 were being distinctly departed from. The author was 
 therefore requested to prepare a counter circular, which 
 is here appended, signed by fifteen London members 
 and himself, as under : — 
 
 "38 EusTON Square, July 8, 1858. 
 " Sir, — A communication having been sent to each member of 
 the College of Dentists of England, signed by Mr. Hockley, 
 stating that the bye-law requiring examination as necessary for 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 1 35 
 
 membersliip is not to be enforced, -^'e consider that if tliis — tlie 
 fundamental principle of that institution — be not acted upon, the 
 college "will sink into the position of a mere club, and fail to raise 
 itself in the eyes either of the profession or the public. Should 
 this be your opinion, Tve shall feel obliged by your signing the 
 accompanying protest, and returning the same to the above 
 address without delay. — We are, sir, yours, &c., 
 
 J. EOBIXSON. 
 
 F. EOGERS. 
 
 C. Carter. 
 
 C. Rogers. 
 
 "W. Crampton. 
 
 A. J. RoBi>:soN. 
 
 C. S. Fox, 
 
 F. A. Sass. 
 
 S. Ghrimes. 
 
 W. D. Sauxder. 
 
 K. Hepburn. 
 
 J. L. Statham. 
 
 A. Hill. 
 
 T. Underwood. 
 
 J. W. Mitchell. 
 
 B. West. 
 
 " I, the undersigned, hereby protest against the constitution 
 and acts of the conncil of the College of Dentists of England, 
 alleged to have been elected at a general meeting of members, 
 held Friday, May 21, 1858, on the following ground, viz. — That 
 by law No. 4 it is expressly declared ' that two-thirds of the new 
 council shall consist of memhers of the last it/ea/s council' Of the 
 list of council as at present put forward, only eight were members 
 of last year's council, and consecjuently a fundamental law of the 
 college has been broken. And I furtlier protest against all acts 
 of the council as illegal, and demaml that all moneys of the 
 college expended by such council be refunded, each member of 
 the conncil being personally liable for the same. 
 
 (Signed) ." 
 
 This document was portentous. According to its suc- 
 cess might the college regard its future standing. It 
 was promptly followed on the next day by one signed 
 by Mr. Eymer, as honorary secretary to the council, in 
 wliich he stated that there was inconsistency between 
 the circular and the protest itself, and called upon the 
 members " to determine whether lawful authority shall 
 be supported, or whether faction shall be allowed to offer 
 obstructions to all attempts at progress." The fact was, 
 the amalgamation question had acted as a crucial test 
 with a larf^e number of those connected with the colle<?e. 
 Many had felt that division and strife were intoler- 
 able, and looked eagerly forward to union, or at least 
 combined action, throughout the dental ranks. With 
 
136 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 aclmira"ble tenacity Mr. Eymer held to the college 
 scheme ; but he could not help realising that a source 
 of weakness had been originated by rejecting the dele- 
 gates' proposals. The numbers on the council had been 
 acquired, but it was evident to him and to others that 
 the influence of those then occupying seats there was 
 not of the order which those who had seceded exercised, 
 both within and without the institution. 
 
 One week after Mr. Eymer's circular had been sent 
 forth a meeting of the college was convened, July 16, 
 1858. Mr. P. Matthews presided, and several of the 
 leading members appeared to protest against the then 
 existing state of affairs. Mr. Underwood stated this, 
 and declared that those gentlemen who objected to the 
 action of the council, did so solely on the ground of its 
 dej)arture from the original and fundamental principles 
 on which its existence was based. A copy of the pro- 
 test which had been issued by the sixteen signataries, 
 but now signed by sixty-eight members of the college, 
 was handed to the chairman, with the demand that it 
 should be entered upon the minutes of the college. Mr. 
 Underwood then left the room, being followed by the 
 major part of those present. 
 
 Whilst meeting followed meeting at Cavendish Square, 
 the Odontological Society was turning its attention to 
 two most important subjects. These were the forma- 
 tion of a dental school and a dental hospital. The 
 society itself was to be viewed in the light of an 
 advanced school. At its various meetings the mem- 
 bers were to continue to unite for mutual edification 
 by discussing such subjects as had been found worthy 
 of combined thougrht. The dental school, or school of 
 dental surgery, was to be so organised as that, by the 
 delivery of lectures by members of the society, or by 
 gentlemen in the profession of acknowledged ability, 
 the students could be instructed in the various depart- 
 ments of their studies, so pre-eminently necessary to 
 their being furnished and fitted for thorough scientific 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 1 3/ 
 
 practice. Sucli an institntion involved the necessity of 
 an opportunity "being given to the learners of seeing 
 practically illustrated the theories taught them by their 
 instructors. This could only be efficiently carried out 
 at a special dental hospital. Although rich, even to 
 profuseness, as the metropolis was at that time in the 
 direction of charitable curative institutions, there was 
 jet ample room for such an hospital among the rest. 
 Its importance, even on public grounds, could not well 
 be overrated, and on the score of professional educational 
 needs it was unmistakable. The project, therefore, 
 was most creditable to its proposers, and the results 
 which have since been accomplished through its instru- 
 mentality are patent to all, and will be mentioned in the 
 proper place. Although the originators of the College of 
 Dentists subsequently asserted that it was their inten- 
 tion from the first to accomplish such a scheme, still to 
 the Odontological Society must be accredited the praise 
 of instituting the London School of Dental Surgery and 
 the Dental Hospital of London. Before these important 
 proceedings could take form there was much to be 
 accomplished. The selection of an appropriate site con- 
 stituted no mean difficulty ; but this, with the other 
 necessary preliminaries, was at length overcome. Mr. 
 Harrison and Mr. E. Hepburn, with others, spent a good 
 deal of their valuable time in endeavourinc^ to secure a 
 suitable house and premises for the hospital, and their 
 labours eventuated in the possession of No. 32 Soho 
 Square, upon lease for a term of years. Mr. Harrison 
 acted as chairman of the committee of organisation. 
 
 On Wednesday, 6th October 1858, a meeting was 
 summoned by the committee who had organised the 
 institution, for the formal transfer to the committee of 
 management which had been elected of the hospital itself 
 and its future conduct, together with the duty of making 
 the necessary arrangements for its public opening for 
 the reception of patients. There were present on the 
 occasion Messrs. A. Eogers, E. Hepburn, S. Ghrimes, J. 
 
138 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 Tomes, W. A. N. Cattlin, W. A. Harrison, Dr. Babington, 
 J. Parkinson, J. H. Parkinson, T. Dyer, S. Cartwriglit, 
 jun., — Illingworth, J. Barrett, Campbell De Morgan, 0. 
 Clayton, Scott, AY. M. Bigg, J. Hutchinson, E. Sercombe, 
 and A. Hill. Mr. De Morgan was called to occupy the 
 chair. JMr. Harrison, as chairman of the committee of 
 organisation, explained the circumstances which led to 
 the foundation of the hospital \ and further, that that 
 committee had organised the institution, taken the pre- 
 mises in Soho Square, had framed laws, obtained a 
 highly influential list of vice-presidents, committee of 
 management, trustees, treasurer, medical staff, and 
 lionorary secretary, for the future management of the 
 institution, and had collected £1(^2, 5s. 8d,, with the 
 promise of £6^ — total ;^255, 5s. 8d. Mr. Harrison 
 announced that they were prepared to hand over the 
 hospital to the care of the future committee of manage- 
 ment so soon as that committee had legally elected 
 from their own number a chairman and deputy-chair- 
 man for the year of office. Mr. De Morgan was then 
 unanimously elected as chairman, and Dr. Babington as 
 deputy-chairman, for the ensuing year. This having 
 been effected, Mr. Harrison, in a formal address, trans- 
 ferred the hospital — the charge being duly accepted. 
 The rent of the premises was stated to be £\']0 per 
 annum, but tenants were ready to occupy a given por- 
 tion at £^0 per annum. Sub- committees were then 
 appointed to proceed with the necessary details — viz., a 
 furnishing committee, and also a publication committee 
 for issuing prospectuses, &c., — the writer being invited 
 to act as honorary secretary. The event was one of the 
 most auspicious kind, and all present felt that a distinct 
 step towards the safe and ef&cient elevation of the pro- 
 fession had that day been taken. That the circum- 
 stance would be left unnoticed by the college party was 
 not very likely. To show the difficulty which beset 
 every effort at improvement in those days, it may be 
 mentioned that the founding of this excellent institu- 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 1 39 
 
 tion was caustically animadverted upon by the opposite 
 side in a notice which appeared in the college journal. 
 Even the motives of the gentlemen connected with it 
 were called in question, and the patrons' names being 
 published evoked the ire of the writer. The notice of 
 the opening of the Dental Hospital to the pubKc was 
 thus given in the " Quarterly Journal of Dental 
 Science : " — 
 
 " On the ist of November (1858) an institution nnder this title 
 was opened in Solio Sqnare. The hours for receiving patients is 
 half-past eight to half-past nhie every morning. We have heard 
 nothing of the working of the charity, but one hour in the morning 
 seems rather a short period for giving relief at an hospital. Great 
 publicity is given to the institution, and the names of the dentists 
 in connection with it are printed in large letters in the circular 
 sent to the affluent soliciting contributions for the rehef of the 
 indigent." 
 
 Like all kindred efforts of benevolence, the Dental 
 Hospital of London had to run the gauntlet of criticism, 
 and endure the trial of opposing opinions. It was but 
 an evidence of the ill grace of some of the profession 
 that such remarks and insinuations should have ever 
 appeared in print. Jealousy, however, is seldom seen in 
 a reasonable mood, and is, perhaps, never philosophic. 
 The attitude of the two societies towards each other from 
 the time when the amalgamation question had been 
 settled was that of determined opposition. Strong re- 
 action had set in, especially with the College of Dentists, 
 the executive and members of which too'ether resolved 
 to hold on their prescribed course on the original basis 
 of independence. While the Medical Bills were before 
 the late session of Parliament, the consideration of 
 which had resulted in the passing of the Medical Act 
 (1858), the college showed itself active on behalf of the 
 profession at large, as has been mentioned already. 
 From whatever cause, the results which were aimed at 
 received attention, and were accomplished. The clause 
 which would have operated prejudicially to the interests 
 of dentists as a body was omitted, and the recognition 
 
140 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 of dentists as a professional class, entitling tliem legally 
 to recover charges made by tliem as such, was allowed 
 in the last clause of Mr. Cowper's Bill. Internally, the 
 College of Dentists was reorganised, modifications and 
 amendments of its laws being made from time to time. 
 Distinct regulations concerning membership were made, 
 and a curriculum adopted on the vote of town and 
 country members, the latter recording their opinions by 
 proxy. Instead of the transactions of the college being 
 printed and distributed yearly, it was determined that 
 after that year (1858) they should be forwarded to 
 members and associates alike every three months. 
 During the year the subject of painless dental operations, 
 to be performed by means of electricity, was made 
 known, and this idea was one which it was determined 
 should be thoroughly tested by competent practitioners. 
 A committee was formed from members of the college 
 for this express purpose. The institution was to be one 
 of a very practical nature, if it were possible to make it 
 so, and most creditably and earnestly did the executive 
 set itself to the accomplishment of this work. Lectures 
 were delivered by eminent gentlemen, and papers of 
 interest and merit were given by members of the college. 
 Still the end that had been proposed by the Odonto- 
 logical Society — namely, the association of dentists, by 
 examination, with the Eoyal College of Surgeons, rested 
 heavily upon the efforts of the independent party, and 
 was increasingly the MU noire, of that time. The jour- 
 nals of either side discussed the subject constantly, and 
 with an animus which was far from creditable. The 
 " British Journal " was held up to scorn by the promo- 
 ters of the college movement, while in return the action 
 of the Dental College appeared to form a fit subject for 
 ridicule or contempt by the Odontological Society's 
 organ. Before discussing the subject of the college 
 operations, and the intentions of its executive, it will be 
 but just to record an important matter suggested by the 
 late Mr. BeU, of Margaret Street, Cavendish Square. 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. I41 
 
 At one of the college meetings, lield August 25tli in 
 that year (1858), the following resolutions Tvere pro- 
 posed by him, and were carried unanimously, viz. : — 
 
 " I. Candidates shall also be required to produce a certificate 
 of having been articled to a dental practitioner for a period of not 
 less than four years ; such certificate to be delivered to the 
 secretary of the college thirty days before the candidates shall be 
 ehsrible for their dental examination. 
 
 " 2. Associates of the college enrolled, and pupils who shall 
 have been articled to members of the college, previous to the 
 foregoing resolutions coming into operation, shall be ehgible for 
 membership by passing a dental examination only. 
 
 " 3. Any member -who shall maintain his membership for a 
 period of three years after the ratification of these rules shall be 
 entitled to the diploma of the college. And any person who may 
 become a member previous to the foregoing regulations coming 
 into force shall be entitled to the diploma of the college upon the 
 expiration of the third year of his membership." 
 
 It was considered by many connected with the 
 college, by Mr. Eymer in particular, that if the rules as 
 then amended, and with these latter three included 
 with them, could be strictly adhered to, there would re- 
 main nothing else to be acquired but a charter of in- 
 corporation to ensure for the undertaking complete 
 success. What, then, they had to do was to steadily 
 work forward in this direction, endeavouring to foster 
 similar opinions among the outsiders, and affect to the 
 utmost of their power the profession at large with the 
 reasonableness of theii' ideas, taking for their motto, 
 " Courage, perseverance, and hope." How far this could 
 be considered justifiable was a matter of individual 
 opinion, seeing that the Legislature had taken action 
 in harmony with the petition of the memorialists to the 
 Eoyal College of Surgeons. On the 6th of July, in 
 a committee of the whole House, a clause was intro- 
 duced into the Medical Practitioners Bill, by which the 
 Royal College of Surgeons was empowered to institute 
 examinations, and to grant certificates of fitness to 
 practise dental surgery. The success of the Odonto- 
 
142 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 logical Society's scheme was rendered all the more 
 apparent from the fact that when, after due notice having 
 been given, Mr. Beresford Hope proposed the insertion 
 of the clause, the House adopted it without one dis- 
 sentient voice. Over all the confusion and strife of 
 party feeling which had characterised the year, this fact 
 stood forth prominently as that which would most un- 
 mistakably affect the future of the dental profession. 
 It was the most conspicuous event of the time, and it 
 only remained to take the necessarily consequent steps 
 thereupon, and await the manifestation of professional 
 feeling on the subject, which time only could develop 
 and declare. 
 
( 143) 
 
 CHAPTEK YI. 
 
 The year 1859 opened with the introduction of a new 
 dental journal, under the title of the " Dental Eeview." 
 It was to take the place of the " Quarterly Journal of 
 Dental Science," and would appear monthly. Its first 
 editorial set forth its objects and intentions. It de- 
 plored the professional division which existed, and the 
 writer's statements on this subject were — 
 
 ""Wejoin heartily in the regret, that from any cause whatever 
 there should be any kind of discussion. We are for peace, and 
 the law and practice of * goodwill towards men.' Without cant, 
 this is our creed. But while selecting this line of policy, while 
 casting away from us all promptings to avenge even friends whom 
 we have known to have been most cruelly and libellously pur- 
 sued in the recent strifes, we should be wanting in firmness, as 
 in rectitude, did we not support those broad principles of justice 
 and equality, those catholic principles we may call them, with- 
 out the acknowledgment of which no body of men can become 
 efficient, not to say powerful." 
 
 With such a basis for future journalism to rest upon, 
 the " Dental Eeview," whether knowingly or otherwise, 
 had taken up a very difficult position indeed, consider- 
 ing the condition of things in the profession, if it was to 
 carry out these principles in their integrity. AVithout re- 
 ferring to the reasons for discontinuing the " Quarterly," 
 which had been from the first a staunch supporter of 
 the college, for which object, indeed, it was originated, 
 the " Eeview " could not hope to disguise the fact that 
 it was to all intents and purposes the organ of the 
 Dental College. How it was to steer a middle course 
 under such circumstances seemed difficult to understand. 
 
144 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 
 
 One montli later, the opportunity of a test being applied 
 offered itself, and the following remarks will speak for 
 themselves. Commenting upon the fact that Mr. 
 Matthews, then acting as president of the College of 
 Dentists, had occasion to make certain statements at 
 the annual general meeting of that institution in Janu- 
 ary of the above year, the editor remarks — 
 
 ^' These revelations must, indeed, have taken the meeting by 
 surprise, for we venture to affirm that, disapj)ointed as many of 
 the pioneers in the dental reformatory movement must have been 
 at the illiberal feeling which was manifested in certain quarters 
 against the college, there were none who for a moment could have 
 believed that a system would have been organised to undermine 
 the foundations of the college worthy the darkest days of the In- 
 quisition. Nor do we believe that out of the college would be 
 found men with a spark of British feeling within their breasts who 
 could look otherwise than with painful feelings upon the discred- 
 itable proceedings which have characterised the acts of some 
 few — we trust and believe they are hut few — whose feelings of 
 virulence against the college have so far outrun all discretion 
 as to lead them to employ the basest means to endeavour to 
 throw discredit upon the fair fame of a body of their fellow- 
 practitioners." 
 
 The " Dental Eeview " was evidently occupying the 
 position of a distinct party supporter already, a step by 
 no means unnatural, and most easily accounted for. 
 The truth concerning that journal was simply that it 
 would do, in its own style of course, exactly what its 
 predecessor had done — viz., advocate energetically the 
 college cause. How this was to be accomplished, and 
 yet the ground of " peace and goodwill " to be held while 
 the Odontological Society was determined to pursue its 
 course, that being such an one as would, if successfully 
 maintained, completely supplant the college by supply- 
 ing the means for professional education and examina- 
 tion in a totally different direction, it was difficult to 
 divine. It was evident to all concerned that the two 
 societies would continue to try their strength against 
 each other, and that neither side would lack a journal 
 to support its views, or register its action. The truth 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 1 45 
 
 of this is apparent from the tone of the leading article 
 in the "British Journal." In that for January 1859, 
 the editor, in alluding to the College of Dentists, and 
 referring to the secession which it had suffered, says — 
 
 " Differences which had existed for some time between several of 
 the leading men were in the first instance effectually terminated, 
 and a party which at one time threatened to create a schism in the 
 profession virtually ceased to exist, save in the shape of repeated 
 advertisements in the daily papers. Who they now are, and what 
 are their numbers, no one knows — we suspect not even their 
 secretary. As a public party, therefore, we say they have ceased 
 to exist ; and as a petty club, holding together for self-glorifica- 
 tion, their influence is no longer to be feared. They do but serve 
 the useful purpose of a safety valve, through which may escape 
 the vapourings of individuals who would be neither congenial, 
 associates in a professional society, nor themselves feel at ease 
 therein, even if they had been admitted on the mistaken plea of 
 liberality," 
 
 While the Odontological Society was more " in e^d- 
 dence " than it ever had been, and had taken up impor- 
 tant ground as towards the profession, it is also true 
 that the College of Dentists of England had not di- 
 verged from its original idea of becoming a means for 
 the independent existence of the profession, and certainly 
 was very far from being without influence, or ceasing to 
 he, altogether. Eegardless of the loss that had been 
 sustained by the college party, it had held, during the 
 year 1858, no less than twenty-nine meetings of council, 
 besides its ordinary business and monthly meetings, and 
 had arranged for regular lectures throughout the then 
 current year also. Mr. P. Matthews, who up to the 
 annual general meeting of the college had acted as presi- 
 dent, on that occasion resigned his office. Under very 
 disadvantageous circumstances he had conducted the 
 affairs of the institution most creditably, and always 
 with business-like method. 
 
 So far as tlie numerical strensrth of the college was 
 concerned, there was less for him to do, the list of 
 members haviag sunk to about one-half, or less than 
 150. But touching the circumstances surrounding the 
 
146 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 institution and arising within it, there had been hitherto 
 no such difficult passages to pilot it through as fell to 
 Mr. Matthew's lot to deal with. The fact of the Odon- 
 tological Society's gradually augmenting strength, and 
 growth in numbers and influence, was not to be over- 
 looked as that which would have a very decided tendency 
 to dispirit and dishearten him as a leader in an opposite 
 cause. Nevertheless, like his colleague Mr. Eymer, he 
 had strong faith in the ultimate success of the scheme, 
 and most earnestly laboured to effect it. Althougli 
 declining for the future to act as president, he did not 
 withhold his services, or rather the continuance of them, 
 as chairman at any meeting where they might be of 
 avail. As a firm friend to the movement organised by 
 Mr. Eymer, he had few as his equal, and, it may be 
 safely said, none as his superior. 
 
 With regard to the Odontological Society, its principal 
 action may be recorded as having been in the direction 
 of promoting the establishment of the Dental Hospital 
 of London. This had been accomplished by the joint 
 efforts of gentlemen both within and without the society. 
 In fact, several practitioners, who but a short time since 
 were active and influential members of the College of 
 Dentists, had co-operated with the Odontological So- 
 ciety in founding the hospital in question, and several 
 of them were elected to the staff. Mr, Fox and Mr. 
 Ghrimes had seats at the committee of management, 
 Mr. James Eobinson was one of the trustees, Mr. E. 
 Hepburn, Mr. C. Eogers, and Mr. Underwood were to 
 act as dental surgeons, and the writer held the post of 
 honorary secretary. The power given by the Legisla- 
 ture to the Eoyal College of Surgeons to constitute a 
 dental department in connection with their l])ody had 
 not yet been acted upon, and the Odontological Society 
 felt that it was necessary to take such steps as would 
 facilitate such a measure, by preparing a curriculum 
 most likely to be accepted by the authorities in Lincoln's 
 Inn Fields. To this end a committee was appointed 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. \a;J 
 
 "to draw out a scheme for the education of future 
 dentists." This committee was presided over by (the 
 late) Mr. Harrison as chairman. The following extracts 
 from the report presented to the society early in the 
 year 1859 ^"^ explain the action taken in the matter, 
 and the principles which had been kept in operation 
 throughout the committee's labours. The report says — 
 
 " It will "be remembered that, in the memorials addressed to 
 the council of the College of Surgeons, the council of the 
 Odontological Society has stated that it sought to establish for 
 the dentist a qualification different somewhat in Tcind, but not 
 inferior in degree, to that at present required by that college 
 from its members. 
 
 "This point your committee has kept in view, and it will be 
 seen that, although in the curriculum proposed for the considera- 
 tion of the council, certain courses of lectures required by the 
 college from its members are om/itted, other lectures have been 
 added, which, in an educational point of view,, will be found 
 equal to those for which they have been substituted. 
 
 " Your committee has felt that, in proposing a course of edu- 
 cation for those who may now enter the dental profession, it must 
 also be guided by the two following considerations : First, that 
 the curriculum must be such as would be received by the College 
 of Surgeons, should that college form a dental department ; and, 
 second, that it must be such as would be received by an 'inde- 
 pendent dental institution,' should it ultimately be found neces- 
 sary to form such an institution." 
 
 These remarks make it evident that, although the first 
 and principal difficulty had been overcome, there had 
 been no positive assurance yet given that the council of 
 the College of Surgeons would accept the power, and 
 act upon it in the direction the memorialists so much 
 desired. The determination to provide means whereby 
 a full and sufficient professional education for the future 
 dentist should be secured was a strong one ; and there 
 is no question or doubt whatever that the Odontological 
 Society was firmly resolved to achieve this as the con- 
 summation of their efibrts, first through the College of 
 Surgeons, and then, if that could not be done, through 
 an independent institute. The care and foresight of 
 
1 43 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 the committee is amply demonstrated in tlie following 
 extract from the report : — 
 
 " Your committee is of opinion that it is necessary tliat the 
 council should feel fully assured that the foregoing conditions are 
 fulfilled in the subjoined scheme before it is adopted ; for inas- 
 much as the proposed school is to be brought into existence hefore 
 the establishment of an examining body, it will be apparent that 
 it will be absolutely necessary that the dental pupil, on com- 
 mencing his studies, shall be fully satisfied that the curriculum 
 to which he is conforming will be received by any recognised 
 examining board which may be hereafter instituted. 
 
 "Your committee has not lost sight of the fact, that there are 
 many students at present engaged in their pupilage who may 
 hereafter desire to avail themselves of a recognised qualification ; 
 and that it would be unreasonable to expect them to recommence 
 their education, in order to conform to a curriculum established 
 subsequent to the date at which they entered upon their profes- 
 sional studies. 
 
 " To meet these exceptional cases, your committee would 
 recommend that any examining board which may hereafter be 
 formed should be invested with a discretional power to admit for 
 examination those who may have commenced their professional 
 education, prior to the establishment of a dental school." 
 
 Then followed the proposed curriculum, as under : — 
 
 Lectures and Hospital Practice to be attended at the 
 EXISTING Schools and Hospitals. 
 
 Courses of Lectures. 
 
 Two on Anatomy, with dissections (one being special). 
 
 Two on Physiology and Pathology, 
 
 One on Practice of Physic. 
 
 One on Practice of Surgery. 
 
 One on Materia Medica. 
 
 One on Chemistry. 
 
 One on Practical Chemistry, 
 
 Hospital Attendance. 
 
 Twelve months' surgical practice. 
 
 Six months' medical practice, with attendance upon chnical 
 lectures. 
 
 Lectures and hospital practice to be attended at the Special 
 Dental School. 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 1 49 
 
 Cou7'ses of Lectures. 
 
 Two on Dental Anatomy and Physiology (human and com- 
 parative). 
 Two on Dental Surgery. 
 Two on Mechanical Dentistry. 
 One on Metallurgy. 
 
 Dental Hospital Attendance. 
 
 Two years' attendance at a recognised dental hospital, or at the 
 dental department of a recognised general hospital. 
 
 Candidates for examination to be required to bring proof of 
 being twenty-one years of age, and of having been engaged at 
 least four years in the acquirement of professional knowledge, and 
 of having devoted a period of not less than three years in acquir- 
 ing a practical familiarity with the details of mechanical dentistry 
 under the instruction of a recognised practitioner. 
 
 The report coneluded by expressing the opinion of 
 the committee on the necessity of establishing a special 
 dental hospital, together with the method of its organi- 
 sation. As, however, this had already been accom- 
 plished — and, in fact, this very report was read at the 
 society's rooms in the Dental Hospital, where it had 
 taken np its abode en loermanencc — the matter needs not 
 to be repeated. The president, the late Mr. J. Parkin- 
 son, announced on the occasion in question, that the 
 council of the society approved and adopted this 
 report. He also stated that between its commencement 
 and its acceptance by the council of the society, the 
 council of the Eoyal College of Surgeons had signified 
 its assent to the proposal of the memorialists, and that 
 a copy of the report had been forwarded to the autho- 
 rities at Lincoln's Inn Fields, but up to that time no 
 official answer had been received. Looking, then, at 
 the condition of things as they existed in the early f)art 
 of 1859, it cannot be denied that the position taken 
 by the Odontological Society was much strengthened. 
 They had been successful in two important directions, 
 the first being the power whieh had been granted to the 
 College of Surgeons to alter their charter so as to include 
 dentists in their ranks, and the next the acceptance of 
 
150 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 the proposal of the memorialists that a dental depart- 
 ment should be established. Added to this, the curri- 
 culum thus suggested by the committee of the society 
 was under consideration, with every prospect of its 
 being accepted by the college executive. 
 
 As may be supposed, the scheme of the Odontological 
 Society thus arranged for met with criticism, especially 
 by the opposite party, principally on account of the ex- 
 penses it would involve. The ideas on professional 
 education and examination, as stated in the " Dental 
 Eeview," may be given in the words of one of its edi- 
 torials thus — 
 
 " We affirm, as a principle, that if the dental body is to be 
 advanced at all, the question of qualification must rest solely on. 
 examination, and that the idea of a coercive curriculum must be 
 cast to the winds, as opposed -alike to the spirit of the age and 
 to common seiase." 
 
 And again — 
 
 " We urge the profession to allow no apedom of a medical cur- 
 riculum — of a curriculum coercive in its pretensions, and signify- 
 ing nothing in its results — to be thrown in the way of improve- 
 ment. The dentists, as an organising body, are in the first stages 
 of life ; and if, as a body, they would progress into manhood, 
 they must pick up the modern in principle, and, of all things, 
 escliew those old academic garments which, glittering feebly with 
 tarnished embroidery, are as much out of character with the time 
 as stage-coaches and hour-glass timekeepers." 
 
 It may be fairly asked, in face of such observations, 
 what method did the College of Dentists itself recom- 
 mend ? The answer to this was given in the same 
 article. The writer says — 
 
 " We would certainly advocate, as heartily as could be wished, 
 the establishment of one, if not two, well-arranged dental 
 schools, in which first-class instruction should be supplied at a 
 moderate cost, in anatomy, physiology, elements of chemistry, 
 and natural philosophy, dental surgery, pathology, and dental 
 practice ; and, in a word, every subject which shall tend to make 
 the dentist an accomplished man, and to aid him in preparing 
 for his examinational test. For all the rest we would trust a sound 
 and practical examination, and would base qualification on this 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. I5I 
 
 alone, leaving it witli tlie candidate to gain the required informa- 
 tion by reading a printed lecture, or hearing a written lecture, 
 according as his own taste and opportunities mav lead him on 
 his way." 
 
 It was very miicli doubted at tlie time wlien these 
 remarks were made public wbetlier the opposition to 
 the Odontological Society's method was the sole reason 
 of a counter method. There still continued so much 
 violent party spuit, that the fact of a plan emanat- 
 ing from that body at all was amply sufficient to call 
 forth a different scheme, and bring the support of 
 many to it. From whatever cause it arose, the Col- 
 lege of Dentists objected not only to what' had been 
 done, and what was proposed to be further done, by the 
 Odontologists, but gave, as above, an outline of what 
 they considered better and more applicable to the 
 necessities and interests of the junior members of the 
 profession. It was while commenting upon the action 
 taken by their opponents that the College of Dentists 
 began to feel that there was a certain incongruity in 
 their then position, as altered by the amended rules 
 passed at the meeting in the August of the last year, 
 contrasted with the programme which they were pre- 
 paring touching ulterior steps. The '• Dental Eeview " 
 goes on to say — 
 
 *' Tied recently from circumstances, by an absurd law also, to the 
 College of Surgeons, the College of Dentists has sold its birth- 
 right for a mess of pottage, which its enemies have feasted on. If 
 the college would stir and re-live, it must perforce reclaim its 
 birthright ; it must return to its original laws and its original 
 independence ; it must aim again at gathering all into one com- 
 monwealth, and at instituting an examinational test for member- 
 ship, which shall be the primary step towards legal incorporation." 
 
 What remained, therefore, to be accomplished was the 
 obtaining a charter; the appointment of a board of 
 examiners from amongst themselves ; the estabhshment 
 of the rule that candidates for the membership of the 
 college should not be expected to pass any particular 
 curriculum, and that the reward of those deemed effi- 
 
152 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 
 
 cient before the court of examiners should be the college 
 diploma. The first step to be taken was the rescinding 
 of the laws so lately passed, and by which it was con- 
 sidered the principle of independence had been injured, 
 if not actually lost. On the 2 2d of February in the 
 year 1859 a requisition signed by ten members of the 
 college was forwarded to the council, requesting that an 
 early meeting of the members should be convened " for 
 the purpose of taking into consideration the present 
 position of the college, and to determine what course 
 shall be pursued with regard to its future management." 
 A meeting was accordingly called by the council for the 
 1 6th of March. It was numerously attended, and Mr. 
 Matthews occupied the chair. The fact was elicited 
 during the discussion which ensued, after the first pro- 
 position had been submitted, that a sense of despondency 
 had been experienced by some of the members, and that 
 the subject of dissolving the college had been mentioned 
 at the council meetings. It appeared, however, that 170 
 members still existed, and, moreover, that a considerable 
 balance was yet in the hands of the treasurer. Tresh 
 courage instilled itself into those present, perhaps, 
 from the numbers attending ; and after the old ground 
 of " independence " had been gone over, and it was found 
 that, through some informality in the notice summoning 
 the meeting, the proposition before them — which was 
 to call upon the council to frame bye-laws by which 
 the original principles of the college should be carried 
 out, and which also included the making provision 
 for granting diplomas without examination to members 
 of the profession noy\^ in practice, with sundry other 
 details — could not be carried, another resolution was 
 submitted instead. The following is a copy : — 
 
 " Eesolved : — That this meeting being now in possession of all 
 the facts relating to the present jDosition of the college, and feeling 
 that the college, by departing from its original objects and inten- 
 tions, has been deprived of mnch of its usefulness to the dental 
 body at large, is of opinion that the regulations passed Se^^tember 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. I 53 
 
 22, 1858, should be rescinded, and that a special meeting of the 
 members be called by the council to consider such question." 
 
 This resolution "^as adopted. Another resolution was 
 also submitted and likewise adopted. It was to the 
 following effect : — 
 
 " That, for the information of the members of the dental pro- 
 fession, the council of this college be desired to communicate 
 with the College of Surgeons, to know their intentions with 
 respect to granting dental certificates ; and that, should the Col- 
 lege of Surgeons give no satisfactory reply within one month, this 
 college pledges itself to consider the question answered in the 
 negative." 
 
 Although this meeting may be considered a rallying 
 point in the history of the Dental College, it could not 
 be concealed from the ordinary observer that it was 
 from a very palpable and painful condition of weakness 
 that it had rallied. The chief and leader of the movement 
 admitted very frankly what had been his own expe- 
 rience. He had been " deeply depressed," and very 
 naturally so too ; for there had appeared many vacant 
 places in the original list of members, and, coupled with 
 this, a noticeable inertness and want of support had 
 been manifested. So much so, indeed, was this the case, 
 that from Mr. Eymer himself had emanated a resolution 
 in council having for its ultimate object the power and 
 the opportunity to dissolve the college. When one so 
 full of determination and uncomplaining energy as Mr. 
 Eymer had shown himself to be felt constrained to take 
 such a step, there can be no doubt whatever of a prime 
 necessity being in existence. For two years and a half, 
 wdth a devotion which was simply admirable, he had 
 laboured strenuously for the attainment of what he con- 
 scientiously believed to be the means of securing the per- 
 manent benefit of the profession. When others flagged 
 or failed in their faith of success, he resolutely proceeded 
 in the cause, permitting nothing to daunt him. Sm^ely 
 there had been enough to dishearten the bravest, yet he 
 held on perseveringly ; so that if, under the then circum- 
 
154 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 stances, liis heart failed him temporarily as he looked 
 around him, there was no reason for surprise ; the real 
 matter for astonishment rested in the fact that he had 
 never once evinced anything like discouragement before. 
 About a month later another meeting was called, 
 which resulted in the amendment of the college laws 
 in accordance with the views then entertained by its 
 members.* The varying events in the profession were 
 not only watched with interest both by dentists and the 
 medical profession generally in England, but attracted 
 no small amount of notice of dental practitioners in 
 America and elsewhere. Commenting upon the con- 
 dition of things at this time, the "New York Dental 
 Journal " remarked, after reviewing the steps which had 
 hitherto been taken to ensure dental reform in this 
 country : — 
 
 " Thus grew up the ' Odontological Society ' and the ' College of 
 Dentists ; ' and the difference Ijetween them seems to have been 
 just this : The Odontological Society, very properly relying little 
 upon their own unaided efforts for stability, feeling that a spinal 
 difficulty was rapidly becoming chronic, and that they were 
 indeed weak, ]3roposed to combine with the College of Surgeons, 
 and obtain their diplomas in the old manner. The College of 
 Dentists, on the other hand, Avished to throw aside all connection 
 with that body, and, obtaining a charter, educate their own men 
 for their own profession, and in their own way — thinking a 
 dentist could but obtain his education from dentists, and not from 
 surgeons. Fortunately for the progress of the profession in Eng- 
 land, there were found men who were unwilling to sacrifice their 
 independence and prospect of proper education and future success 
 to the childish scruples of a few old fogies. They saw that a pro- 
 fession including so many members as our own, a science in which 
 something new is daily being discovered, surely were entitled to 
 their own teachers as well as their own exponents. Thus the 
 Dental College came to be established ; and it is with pleasure 
 that we are able to record its complete success thus far. Lectures 
 are being read by the best men in England ; professorships are 
 being established ; and there is little doubt but the College 
 OF Dentists will yet become as successful, as creditable, and as 
 honoured an institution as the London College of Surgeons." 
 
 * See Appendix. 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 1 55 
 
 Sucli a notice as the above, coupled with others of 
 similar import, may have served, and very probably did, 
 to stimulate the hopes and eiforts of the college party. 
 It is certain that, from some cause or other, the deter- 
 mination to proceed with the institution on its original 
 basis was formed. On the occasion of receivimr the 
 report of the committee on '•' Electricity as an Anaesthe- 
 tic in Dental Operations," * — a committee whose ap- 
 pointment reflected credit on the College of Dentists — ■ 
 Mr. Matthews took the opportunity to observe, '' We 
 have many eminent physicians who have sent in their 
 adhesion to us, offering their services to forward our 
 views in every respect ; and a great number of members 
 of the College of Surgeons of England have assisted us, 
 and are cflad to find that we are Q-oinc^ on well. This oives 
 us encouragement to do our utmost night and day to carry 
 on the College of Dentists of England." On the 24th of 
 June 1859, George Waite, Esq., M.E.C.S., and a member 
 of the Dental College, was by the council elected to the 
 office of president. In this month it was announced 
 that the Metropolitan School of Dental Science had 
 been fully organised, under the immediate auspices of 
 the college, although practically distinct and separate 
 from it. The court of examiners, also, was about this 
 time constituted, some of whom, the profession was in- 
 formed, were members of the College of Dentists, others 
 fellows or members of the Colleo-e of Suro-eons, but un- 
 connected then with any dental association, and others 
 independent dentists unconnected with the College 
 of Surgeons. The charter by which the institution 
 alone could be consolidated and enabled to claim respect 
 for its proposed certificates or diplomas was, however, 
 still unpossessed, and to some the difficulties in the way of 
 its obtainment appeared both numerous and formidable. 
 
 In the meantime the Odontolocjical Societv had been 
 hard at work. Since its inauguration the Dental Hospital 
 
 * For entire report see " Dental Review," vol. i. p. 438. 
 
156 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 of London had been working so as to fully justify the 
 highest anticipations of its founders. Their object was to 
 ascertain the practical value to the profession of such an 
 institution — the importance to the public being percep- 
 tible from the first — before further action in the direc- 
 tion of providing a proper school in connection with it. 
 In the interval between the opening of the Dental Hos- 
 pital and the middle of the year 1859, the council of the 
 Eoyal College of Surgeons having obtained a charter,* 
 as has been already stated, took the initiative, and 
 insisted that a curriculum should be drawn up, which 
 was to be submitted for their approval, and steps taken 
 to organise a school of dental surgery, by which a prac- 
 tical effect should be c^iven to the legislative enactments 
 that had been passed. The first requirement was at 
 length met by the now well-known curriculum being 
 formulated."!* At the same time the London School of 
 Dental Surgery became a fact, and the education of the 
 student in dentistry was provided for in the fullest 
 manner, with the ultimate object of the licentiateship of 
 the Eoyal College of Surgeons of England being the 
 coveted prize of all who should pass the examining 
 board of the latter institution. 
 
 To revert again to the College of Dentists. The 
 announcement was made in the August number of the 
 " Dental Eeview," that what it had in its last issue pre- 
 dicted concerning the appointment of a board of exa- 
 miners was fulfilled, and that the following gentlemen 
 had been called to the office aforesaid : — 
 
 Mr. James Harley, M.C.D.E. 
 
 Mr. Eobert T. Huhne, M.R.C.S., F.L.S,, M.C.D.E. 
 
 Mr. Peter Matthews, M.C.D.E. 
 
 Mr. B. W. Richardson, M.D., L.R.C.P. 
 
 Mr. James Robinson, D.D.S., M.C.D.E. 
 
 ]\lr. Alexander Stewart, F.R.C.S.E. 
 
 * This had not yet received the Royal assent, 
 t See Appendix. 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 1 57 
 
 Mr. Somerset Tibbs, M.C.D.E. 
 
 Mr. George Waite, M.R.C.S., M.C.D.E. 
 
 Mr. T. Spencer Wells, F.R.C.S. 
 
 These gentlemen met to decide upon the requirements 
 which they deemed necessary from all candidates for 
 examination at their hands, July 26, 1859, and the deci- 
 sion was for the following subjects : — 
 
 1. Anatomy of the Head and Neck. 
 
 2. Structure of the Teeth. 
 
 3. Elements of Surgical Pathology 
 
 4. Injuries of the Teeth and Jaws. 
 
 5. Diseases connected with Dentition. 
 
 6. Operative and Mechanical Dentistry in all departments. 
 
 7. Pathology of the Teeth. 
 
 Gentlemen successfully passing an examination on 
 these subjects would be thereby entitled to the use of 
 the letters M.C.D.E., indicating thereby that they were 
 members of the Collesfe of Dentists of Enoiand. It 
 
 o o 
 
 was further announced that the examinations would 
 be essentially of a practical character, and would be 
 held quarterly. The condition of the College of Dentists 
 at this time may be best described by a quotation from 
 an editorial in the "Dental Eeview," The writer 
 asked — 
 
 " Does the college want more to give it strength ? A httle 
 more. It wants law. Give it incorporation, and its stability is 
 complete. Towards this the members must advance, they must 
 neither hesitate, nor pause, nor tire, till this great object is at- 
 tained — their charter. . . . But the charter is, after all, the true 
 compact. The dentists of England must have a charter." 
 
 This was easy enough to write, and looked well enough 
 when written, but the question was, "Were the essentials 
 in hand which would justify a hop)e of the attainment 
 of this desideratum ? The important fact appeared to 
 be overlooked or forgotten, that a certain amount of in- 
 fluence, arising from the professional and acknowledged 
 position of those who asked for a charter of incorpora- 
 tion, would be absolutely necessary in pressing such a 
 claim or demand. This the institution in question did 
 
158 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 not possess. The secession from its ranks of several 
 gentlemen, who would have contributed largely to the 
 success of the scheme, had they remained in connection 
 with it, naturally left it so much the weaker in this 
 matter. The seriousness of their resisfnations told more 
 against the project than the mere loss of numbers to 
 the body at large. "WTiatever was the estimate of the 
 step thus taken in the minds of the college executive 
 and the members generally, the opposite party very 
 naturally counted the secession in itself a direct gain to 
 them, and a double gain when several of the seceders 
 went over to them. It was not merely like so many 
 guns captured from the enemy, but those very guns 
 turned against the artillery of the opposing side. To 
 put a good face on adverse circumstances was, perhaps, 
 creditable and politic too ; but that did not necessarily 
 neutralise the effect of palpable weakness. The idea 
 which obtained with many at the then position of 
 things was, that the two societies had no need to com- 
 bine. It was set forth that the Odohtological Society 
 was a great good in its own specific department. As 
 an organisation for the elaboration and perfecting of the 
 scientific portion of dentistry, a large and free course 
 was open to it. On the other hand, the College of 
 Dentists of England had its own distinct sphere of 
 operation in the direction of educational and dental 
 politics. Numbers of gentlemen held these views, and 
 felt that such a division would prove of the greatest 
 practical value. Whatever was the opinion .upon this 
 point of those outside the Dental College, the executive 
 there determined to hold on its way towards the desired 
 goal, and set itself to bring to perfection its own inter- 
 nal arrangements for that purpose. It was announced 
 that three courses of collegiate lectures were to be deli- 
 vered during the coming winter. Professor Erichsen 
 had been engaged to deliver the first course on a surgi- 
 cal subject. Mr. Hulme would take the second course, 
 his subject was to be the development of the teeth ; and 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 1 59 
 
 Dr. Pdchardson was appointed to give the third course, 
 on subjects relating to special pathology and the history 
 of dental tissues. Four conversaziones were also to be 
 held at the college, while the examiners would be pre- 
 pared to fill their office with regard to the students 
 desirous of passing their ordeal. The 5 th day of Octo- 
 ber was fixed for the opening of the Metropolitan 
 School of Dental Science, and six courses of lectures 
 were to be given — \dz., on " Physiology, or the Laws 
 of Life ; " on " Elements of Surgery ; " on '' Dental 
 Surgery ; " on " Dental Mechanics ; " on " Chemistry 
 and Metallurgy;" and on "Comparative Anatomy." 
 The students had the' promise of three medals, as 
 prizes to the successful competitors, the council having 
 resolved to offer these as a stimulant to earnestness and 
 exertion. However the college, as an independent in- 
 stitution, had been opposed by those holding contrary 
 views, it would be idle, and unjust as well, to ignore the 
 benefit which, as an educational centre, it was desirous 
 of conferring upon the younger men of that day. Its 
 most determined adversaries could not overlook the fact 
 that advantages in this direction were palpable enough, 
 although the attempt to compete with the Pioyal College of 
 Surgeons they felt assured would end in ignoble failure. 
 One or two events of importance occurred towards 
 the close of this year which deserve record. The first 
 was the circumstance of action taken by the newly-con- 
 stituted Medical Ee^istration Association concerninf;^ the 
 use of the words " surgeon-dentist " by those practi- 
 tioners who were entirely unconnected vdth the Eoyal 
 College of Surgeons. The vigilance committee of the 
 association had successfully prosecuted one individual 
 using the prefix " surgeon," and then gave notice to Mr. 
 Prookes, a dentist practising at Eanbury, that it was 
 their intention to adopt the same course with him if he 
 did not abandon the use of the same word within a 
 reasonable period after the letter they addressed to him. 
 This led, of course, to a reply from Mr. Brookes, who 
 
l60 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 A\^as a member of the College of Dentists, and also to a 
 communication from Mr. Eymer, as honorary secretary 
 to the council of the College of Dentists, in which the 
 proposed action of the association was argued against, 
 deprecated, and a desire expressed for a speedy solution 
 of the question at issue. In order to this, Mr. Eymer, 
 who had hitherto styled himself " surgeon - dentist," 
 expressed his willingness to be proceeded against. A 
 lengthy correspondence ensued between the honorary 
 secretary of the Medical Eegistration Association, Dr 
 Ladd, and Mr. Eymer in l"is of&cial capacity. The Col- 
 lege of Dentists was up in arms on the subject, and 
 issued an address to the entire dental profession, of 
 which the following is a copy : — 
 
 *' Address to the Dental Profession. 
 
 " The council of the College of Dentists of England deem it 
 but right to acquaint the profession generally — whether members 
 of the college or otherwise — with certain proceedings arising out 
 of a recent attempt to tamper with a most important provision 
 contained in the new Medical Act, which, had it proved success- 
 ful, must have worked with the most reprehensible injustice on 
 the great body of dental practitioners. The Act referred to con- 
 cludes with a clause in which it is enacted that nothing therein 
 contained 'shall extend, or be construed to extend, to prejudice 
 or in any vjoaj to affect, the lawful occupation, trade, or business 
 of chemists and druggists and dentists.' In the session of Par- 
 liament just closed a Bill was introduced into the House of Com- 
 mons, entitled ' The Medical Act Amendment Bill.' This Bill, 
 as originally introduced, would not have called for any remon- 
 strance on the part of dental practitioners ; but on the evening of 
 Tuesday, July 26th, Lord R. Cecil gave notice of the following 
 motion : — ' That the words, '' or licentiate in dental surgery " 
 shall be added after the words "licentiate in midwifery" to the 
 qualifications described in the fourth head of schedule (A) of the 
 said first recited Act.' The subject of this motion was imme- 
 diately brought before the notice of the council of the College of 
 Dentists ; and as it was apparent that if the clause should be car- 
 ried in the Legislature, a privilege would be granted to a small 
 party of dentists, to the detriment of the general body of existing 
 practitioners ; and, moreover, as the Medical Act itself clearly 
 expresses that dentists (i.e., as a body) shall not in anii/ ivay be 
 affected by it, the council resolved to take inimediate steps to 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. l6l 
 
 frustrate a movement evidently intended to be carried surrep- 
 titiously, and which could only be regarded as the more unprece- 
 dented because a privileged exclusiveness was sought to be con- 
 ferred on a non-existent class of practitioners. It was never for a 
 moment believed that Lord Robert Cecil was the originator of the 
 motion of which he had given notice ; and the council having 
 communicated officially with his Lordship, ascertained that he had 
 not been candidly informed as to the real feeling and position of 
 the profession ; that the motion had been drawn up by Mr. Tomes ; 
 and that Lord Robert Cecil would not have taken any steps in 
 the matter had he been told plainly, as he ought to have been, 
 that the motion was one upon which the dentists would be very 
 far from unanimous. That any individual should presume to 
 influence legislation for the benefit of a certain, few, and to the 
 detriment of the general body, otherwise than in an open and 
 straightforward manner, is a proceeding of which the profession 
 will be able to form a just opinion. The council at once resolved 
 to present a petition to the House of Commons, of which the fol- 
 lowing is a copy : — 
 
 " '^0 iht Honourahle the Commons of the United Kingdom of Ch-eat 
 Britain and Irelayid, in Parliament assembled. 
 
 " ' The humble petition of the president, vice-president, exa- 
 miners, and coujicil of the College of Dentists in council 
 assembled, 
 
 "^ ' Shoiveth, 
 
 " ' That your petitioners humbly beg to represent to your 
 Honourable House the great injustice which would be done to the 
 general body of dentists of this country in case any amendment 
 to the Medical Act (1858) be passed which would have the eflect 
 of allowing an existent or non-existent class of practitioners, to be 
 called " Licentiates in Dentistry," or by any other partial title, to 
 have their names entered on the medical register. The Medical 
 Act, in the last clause, clearly expresses that nothing in the Act 
 contained shall extend, or be construed to extend, to prejudice or 
 in «ny u-ai/ to affect the lawful occupation, trade, or business of 
 chemists, and druggists, and dentists. Your petitioners humbly 
 submit that if a class of men (existent or non-existent) are to be 
 allowed to register under the Medical Act, that Act will be ren- 
 dered anomalous, inasmuch as dentists in practice will be preju- 
 diced and materially affected by any measure which does not 
 confer privileges on the entire body of practising dentists. That 
 the College of Dentists of England having been established by the 
 dentists of England in open meeting, the officers and council 
 elected by the members deem it their duty humbly to inform 
 your Honourable House that it is intended to apply for a char- 
 
 L 
 
l62 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 ter of incorporation for the college forthwith, and that it is the 
 opinion of the council that any partial grant of privilege, such as 
 to licentiates in dentistry, would act alike to the prejudice of the 
 profession and the public. 
 
 '^ ' Your petitioners, therefore, trust that no legislation will take 
 place in reference to the question during the present session of 
 Parliament, and humbly pray your Honourable House to reject 
 any measures which may tend to prejudice the general body of 
 British dentists. 
 
 ' " And your petitioners will ever pray,' &c. 
 
 [This petition was, of course, signed by the entire executive 
 and staff of the college.] 
 
 " This petition was placed in the hands of Mr. Brady, M.P., for 
 presentation, who kindly promised to give it his support. In 
 opposing this attack on the rights of dentists, the council have 
 desired to act in a spirit of entire liberality, not only striving to 
 protect their own members, but all those who practise dental 
 surgery, and who are recognised as entitled to protection in the 
 Medical Act. The absolute necessity for professional organisation, 
 such as is afforded by the College of Dentists of England, can no 
 longer be questioned, when, but for such organisation, indepen- 
 dent dentists might at this moment be suffering, without redress, 
 from the spirit of exclusiveness existing in a mere mistaken but 
 persevering individual or party. Thus, whilst the college is en- 
 gaged in the great work of providing efficient instruction and in 
 regulating examination, the general interests of the entire body 
 are not neglected. That there is need for vigilance on the part 
 of dentists, independently of such secret proceedings as the one 
 just exposed, recent prosecutions would appear to indicate. The 
 title 'surgeon-dentist' lias been objected to as illegal; although 
 the right to assume it was never questioned before the passing of 
 the Act, and the last clause, already quoted, is specially intended to 
 prevent dentists from being deprived of any privilege they were in 
 possession of. If the title ' surgeon-dentist' be objected to, it is 
 time to be prepared for protection from any attempt on dentists' 
 rights under the 32d clause, which enacts that none but registered 
 persons shall recover charges for (amongst other things) the per- 
 formance of any operation of a surgical nature. Now, the council 
 of the College of Dentists has no doubt that the last clause of the 
 Medical Act will avail to protect fully the rights of dental prac- 
 titioners, but not without a strong organisation of the members 
 to resist attempts that are made, and may in future be made, on 
 their privileges. It is also to be borne in mind that, if Lord 
 Robert Cecil's clause had been carried through Parliament, 
 none but a ' licentiate' in dentistry could have been entered on 
 the register ; it is time, therefore, to organise, in order to resist 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 1 63 
 
 attacks whicli evidently threaten those practitioners in dentistry 
 whose rights are protected by the Medical Act of 1858. In order 
 to give greater efficiency to the authority of the College of Den- 
 tists, it is intended to apply for a royal charter of incorporation, 
 and it is requested that every practising dentist who thinks a 
 charter desirable will append his name to the petition (a copy of 
 which is enclosed), and return it to the secretaries with as little 
 delay as possible. 
 
 " Signed on behaK, and by order of, the council, 
 
 " George Waite, President. 
 Samuel Lee Rymer, } tt at- 
 Anthony Hockley, \ ^on.-Secretanes. 
 
 *' August 30, 1859." 
 
 It was evident to all outsiders, and to the Odonto- 
 logical Society especially, that the College of Dentists 
 were not only on the alert to discover any attempt to 
 infringe upon what they considered the rights of the 
 general practitioner, but resolute to put forth all their 
 power to nullify all action by their opponents in such a 
 direction. Their promptitude thus displayed had a 
 double effect. It was the throwing of the cegis of their 
 protection over their own members, and was a plausible 
 bid for an increase in the numerical strength of their 
 own body. In due time a memorial or petition for a 
 charter of incorporation for the Dental College was for- 
 warded to the Queen's most Excellent Majesty in 
 council, signed (j^ro forma) by six members of the col- 
 lege,"* the result of which had, of course, to be patiently 
 waited for. According to previous announcement, the 
 Metropolitan School of Dental Science was opened on 
 the day named, October 5, Dr. B. Eichardson deliver- 
 ing the inaugural address. This gentleman had fully 
 espoused the college views concerning the needs of the 
 dental profession, and, from his point of vision, forcibly 
 advocated them in a very able and full lecture. Many 
 gentlemen of note were present on the occasion ; and 
 this new feature of the college enterprise was one which 
 gave the greatest satisfaction to all concerned. The 
 
 * See Appendix. 
 
164^ DENTAL' REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN', 
 
 eyent itself was commemorated in the evening of the' 
 same day by a dinner at the Freemasons' Tavern, when 
 sixty gentlemen sat down together — the company in- 
 cluding the lecturers, students, and friends of the school. 
 The session was thus inaugurated under very promising 
 circumstances ; and it was evident that, whatever might 
 be the fate of the college itself or the school, that a 
 very important channel of instruction to dental stu- 
 dents was opened for their special advantage. It was 
 subsequently stated that the lecturers would not have 
 to deliver their respective addresses to empty benches, 
 twenty-five young men having entered the school as 
 students. These were further stimulated to honest, 
 exertion in their studies by the offer from Mr. James 
 Eobinson of a ten-guinea prize, to be given for the best 
 thesis on a subject to be determined by the council. 
 This prize, with Mr. Eobinson's usual liberality, was 
 to be given in perpetuity. With such gentlemen as 
 had consented to lecture at the Metropolitan School of 
 Dental Science, the college was justified in feeling the 
 highest satisfaction. On the following day, October 6, 
 Mr. G. Waite, who had been elected president of the 
 college, delivered his inaugural address, which was well 
 received ; and the action of the College of Dentists at 
 that time was favourably noticed by the " Medical Times 
 and Gazette," and by several of the daily journals. 
 The "Dental Eeview" also went the length of asserting 
 that new members and associates were coming in, and, 
 old members, who, in the late unhappy disturbances, re- 
 tired for a time from the contest, were returning in full 
 friendliness and good-will. So far as the College of 
 Dentists was concerned, the year had furnished it with 
 much work and more experience ; and this eventful 
 period of its existence came to a close with an amount 
 of reanimation among its members which was prophetic 
 of sustained life, if not of increased vigour for the 
 future. Among its last acts in 1859 was the prepara- 
 tion of a somewhat elaborate diploma, which, under 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 1 65 
 
 certain regulations, it would be prepared to issue to its 
 members, it having, as an institution, been in existence 
 the self-prescribed time prior to issuing such a distinc- 
 tion — viz., three years. 
 
 From the opposite side, too, the outlook was clear 
 and also encouraging. The " British Journal " was 
 enabled to state, before the year 1859 had anything 
 like terminated, that the Odontological Society had 
 steadily increased in numbers — in S'ovember of that 
 year the list included nearly 150 names; the Dental 
 Hospital of London was in fuU work; the London 
 School of Dental Surgery was organised and in excellent 
 operation ; a library and museum was rapidly forming ; 
 and, last of all, in September the announcement was 
 made that the dental charter was complete, it having 
 received the royal sign manual. A board of examiners 
 was, therefore, pro^dded at the Eoyal College of Surgeons, 
 and arrangements were being made for the consequent 
 granting of dental diplomas by that body. It was not 
 a difficult question to decide who were the victors. 
 Seeing that the Odontological Society had added many, 
 and in some cases influential, names to their list of 
 members ; that the course of events had brought about 
 the acceptance by the college authorities at Lincoln's 
 Inn Fields, and also by the Legislature, of the proposals 
 they had made for the education and examination of 
 future dentists, and that the institution of the Dental 
 Hospital and its dental school had both been projected, 
 and were thus far a success, there remained very little 
 more to be done to constitute for that society a com- 
 plete triumph. The dentists at Cavendish Square could 
 not help realising the important advantage their oppo- 
 nents had gained. The hope they once fairly enter- 
 tained of obtaining a charter for their college was 
 dimmed, if not eclipsed, by the fact that a connection 
 with the College of Surgeons for dentists, advocated by 
 the original memorialists, pressed by the Odontological 
 Society, and recommended by the Medical Eegistration 
 
1 66 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 Association as the representative of the medical societies 
 tliroiighont the country, had taken definite form, and 
 had passed into law by the act of the Legislature itself. 
 ^Nevertheless, the general acceptance of this new state 
 of things by the body of dentists at large was still 
 wanting. The Odontological Society believed that in 
 due time that would not be withheld ; but the Dental 
 College thought otherwise, and its members determining 
 to set in themselves the example of unflinching opposi- 
 tion, resolved to leave nothing undone which could be 
 done by them for proving that large numbers of town 
 and country dentists sided with them in condemning 
 affiliation with the Eoyal College of Surgeons as a 
 blunder. Amid the expressions which took the printed 
 and public form of editorials and general correspondence 
 in the two opposing journals — the one side breathing 
 taunts or exultations, and the other, stern, uncompro- 
 mising defiance — the year 1859 died out. 
 
( 16;) 
 
 CHAPTEE VII. 
 
 The year i860 opened under circumstances wliicli fos- 
 tered the highest expectations of that portion of the 
 profession who either from the first, or gradually, and 
 afterwards, approved of a connection with the Eoyal 
 College of Surgeons. Those thus desirous of a closer 
 intimacy with the medical body were looking eagerly 
 forward to the time when the steps that had been taken 
 to promote this end should be developed in a practical 
 result. The authorities at Lincoln's Inn Fields, being em- 
 powered to act as the original memorialists suggested, 
 having dehberated upon the entire scheme, resolved 
 that, for facilitating the possession of the new degree of 
 Licentiate in Dental Surgery by students in the pro- 
 vinces, certain provincial schools should be recognised as 
 well as those in the metropolis. The board of exami- 
 ners at the Eoyal College of Surgeons had been insti- 
 tuted, and at the proper time these gentlemen were 
 prepared to fulfil their office. Their names, it need 
 scarcely be added, inspired the highest respect. They 
 were Mr. W. Lawrence, Mr. Joseph Green, Mr. J. 
 ]\I. Arnott, Mr. T. Bell, ]\Ir. J. Tomes, and Mr. A. 
 Eogers. In the meantime the College of Dentists had 
 been deciding to issue a diploma in connection vdih 
 that body, so that the profession had laid before it the 
 two documents from which it might choose. From this 
 point of view the contest looked very unequal. The 
 weight of authority and dignity so evidently preponde- 
 rated in the direction of the Eoyal College of Surgeons, 
 that it was to be expected the majority of those desir- 
 
1 68 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 ing to possess a qualification to practise dentistry, which 
 would be of real worth, would naturally find their 
 opinions gravitating towards their old - established 
 and widely-acknowledged institution. It would be un- 
 true, however, to ignore the feeling which existed in 
 the minds of many, that the independent principle had 
 su£fi.cient force and merit in it to influence a consider- 
 able number. At any rate the College of Dentists, 
 through the executive, determined to bring the matter 
 to an issue as speedily as might be. However, before 
 any examination had taken place at the Eoyal College 
 of Surgeons, or the diploma of the Dental College had 
 taken visible form, it was agreed upon by those who 
 leaned towards the former method of obtaining a certi- 
 fied status that a public protest against the College of 
 Dentists and its proceedings generally should be issued. 
 In the month of February therefore the following docu- 
 ment appeared : — 
 
 " A certain miinber of dentists having associated themselves 
 under the assumed title of ' The College of Dentists of England,' 
 and having signified their intention of issuing diplomas of fitness 
 to practise dental surgery to those who may consent to such regu- 
 lations as they shall propose, we, the undersigned practitioners 
 in dental surgery, deem it to be our duty publicly to protest 
 against the proceedings of this so-called College of Dentists of 
 England, as being wholly unsanctioned by law, unwarranted by 
 precedent or professional usage, and opposed to the opinion and 
 feeling of the great majority of the leading practitioners in dental 
 surgery. And we more especially protest against the issuing of 
 diplomas without legal authority, believing that such diplomas 
 are calculated to mislead the public, by whom they may be mis- 
 taken for the legally authorised dental diplomas to be granted 
 by the E.oyal College of Surgeons of England, through its dental 
 department, consisting of surgeons and dentists in equal numbers, 
 and organised in accordance with the provisions of a special char- 
 ter granted to that body by Her Majesty in September last, in 
 conformity with the Medical Act." 
 
 This was a veritable throwing down of the glove and 
 enterinsj the lists for a trial of strens^th. The challenf]^e 
 thus given had no sooner seen the light than the 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 1 69 
 
 opposing party determined to answer it with all pos- 
 sible boldness. Accordingly, immediately afterwards, 
 the College of Dentists issued the annexed " Counter- 
 Protest " :— 
 
 " We, the undersigned, being members or associates of tlie Col- 
 lege of Dentists of England, and others engaged in the practice of 
 dentistry, in reply to a Protest, published in the ' Times ' of 
 February 28th, i860, do hereby enter the following counter- 
 protest : — I St. That the College of Dentists of England was 
 founded at a public meeting specially convened, in the year 1856, 
 for the purpose of bringing about an honourable organisation of 
 the dental profession. 2d. That as the college at its commence- 
 ment had educational objects in view, extending to dentists 
 throughout the kingdom, the title of 'College of Dentists^ was 
 agreed upon as the most expressive of such objects. 3d. That in 
 taking this step no legal right whatever was infringed, there being 
 no other institution of the same kind in the United Kingdom or 
 its dependencies. 4th. That many of the names affixed to the 
 protest against the College of Dentists are those of gentlemen who 
 assisted in the establishment of the college, were once members of 
 it, and assented to its name. 5th. That the College of Dentists 
 is striving to advance the interests of the dental profession, and 
 at the same time to secure for the public a properly-qualified class 
 of practitioners — (i) By providing first-class lectures in the higher 
 branches of science, delivered by men of scientific rank and repu- 
 tation. (2) By establishing a school of dental surgery, for the 
 teaching of anatomy, physiology, surgery, dental surgery, chemis- 
 try, dental mechanics, and comparative anatomy to students in 
 dentistry, the chairs at which school are filled by able and prac- 
 tical teachers, and the usefulness and necessity of which educa- 
 tional establishment is fully proved by the excellence of the 
 attendance. (3) By founding prizes for competition on subjects 
 pertaining to the advancement of the science and art of dentistry. 
 (4) By founding a museum and library. (5) By instituting a 
 board of examiners for ascertaining that none but gentlemen, 
 duly qualified by their knowledge and skill, be admitted to the 
 privileges of membership. 6th. That the College of Dentists took 
 up the subject of an examination for its membership before the 
 certificate to be issued by the College of Surgeons was even 
 planned, and that the suggestion that an attempt is being made 
 by the College of Dentists to confuse the one examinational cer- 
 tificate with the other is an entire and wicked fabrication. 7th. 
 That, on the contrary, the College of Dentists wishes its certifi- 
 cate to stand out as an independent and honourable distinction, 
 
1/0 .DENTAL HEFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 indicating the one principle, that tlie organisation and status of 
 the dental profession can be better provided for by an institution 
 of its own than by its becoming an appendage to the College of 
 Surgeons, contrary, as it is believed, to the wishes of the mem- 
 bers of that corporation. 8th. That in the attempt to establish 
 their policy the members of the College of Dentists have tried to 
 act in the open character of Englishmen, and only desire to be 
 allowed to carry out the principles they advocate in a straight- 
 forward and generous spirit. — Dated Feb. 29, i860." 
 
 The rapidity with which the counter-protest was 
 made to follow the protest was an evidence of the 
 activity and decision of the College of Dentists. Both 
 documents were largely signed, although exception was 
 taken to the names of many which were afiixed to the 
 instrument emanating from Cavendish Square. What 
 the public thought of either the one or the other it 
 would be difficult to say, but there is no doubt that the 
 4th clause of the counter-protest told against it in the 
 minds of many practitioners. It was evident that if 
 many who had been associated with the Dental College 
 were now leagued against it, there must have been 
 serious reasons for such a decided step being taken by 
 those so placed and so acting. In the March number of 
 the " British Journal of Dental Science " the clauses 
 were dissected seriatim, their various points of weakness 
 exposed, and their logic disputed. The great thing to be 
 done was to have an examination held by the board of 
 examiners at Lincoln's Inn Fields. This would practi- 
 cally test the estimation in which the certificate to be 
 given by the College of Surgeons was held. For- 
 tunately for the memorialists and their now numerous 
 and influential colleagues, this ordeal was soon to be 
 arranged. It was announced that on the 13th day 
 of March the examiners would meet for the above pur- 
 pose, and a considerable number of names of gentlemen 
 were accordingly sent in as candidates for examination 
 — so many, indeed, that it was impossible in the 
 allotted time to dispose of them all, and consequently 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, I'Jl 
 
 •«, second examination was determined upon, to be held 
 on the following day. The granting of these certificates 
 by the authorities in Lincoln's Inn Fields was not with- 
 out marked results so far as many medical practitioners 
 were concerned. In commenting upon the subject, 
 the ''Lancet" of March loth, i860, had the following 
 remarks : — 
 
 ' '' It had been thought that these college dental diplomas are 
 likely to be mistaken for college surgical diplomas, and that 
 quacks, availing themselves of this opportunity to register, will 
 also use it for surgical practice. We do not think the argument 
 worth much in either case. If there be a chance of mistake, this 
 will involve a little care on the part of those interested in pre- 
 venting them. It is sufiiciently obvious that the diplomas of a 
 Self-constituted college, without any charter or other recognised 
 legal standing, will labour under a great disadvantage as com- 
 pared with those of the Royal CoUege of Surgeons. Any attempt 
 at simulation would so degrade the College of Dentists as to pro- 
 duce its immediate dissolution. We cannot but retain the 
 opinion which we have formerly expressed, that the dental pro- 
 fession has everything to gain by attaching itself to the College 
 of Surgeons. Due precautions being taken, both bodies of prac- 
 titioners will profit by the connection." 
 
 This was in accordance with the views held from the 
 first by this the principal medical journal. The Odon- 
 tological Society, in its unremitting efforts to bring 
 about a distinct and decided connection between dental 
 practitioners worthy of the name and the medical pro- 
 fession, had all along received support from the " Lancet." 
 However, all the medical journals did not take the same 
 view of the subject, and the College of Dentists felt 
 that while that was so, they had an extra stimulus to 
 persevere. The " Medical Times and Gazette," under 
 date February 25 th, spoke out as follows : — 
 
 "These dental licentiates, like tlie licentiates in midwifery, 
 will call themselves surgeons, and are not likely to confine their 
 practice to their specialty. Instead of a high order of dentists, 
 we shall have a low class of surgeons thrust upon us. This, how- 
 ever, is a trivial mistake compared with the blunder the council 
 
172 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 
 
 has made in granting their diplomas to men who have not com* 
 plied with the educational regulations of the college. We all 
 feel that the council has done us an injustice. We all feel that 
 we have been wronged." 
 
 The " Medical Circular/' of February 29th, complained 
 in a similar manner thus— ^ 
 
 "The progress of specialties in the College of Surgeons is going 
 on unchecked. This honoured institution is becoming the head 
 and home of all the half- educated pretenders who have hitherto 
 been considered the reproach to the profession Dentistry is to 
 be legally recognised as a distinct branch of surgical science, with 
 its special diploma and privileges. The Queen has granted a 
 charter to the college, enabling it to carry out the provisions of 
 the Medical Act ; and a board of examiners, consisting of three 
 members of the council and three dentists, has been established. 
 There can be no doubt that if the dentists avail themselves to 
 any extent of this offer, and connect themselves parasitically with 
 the college, it Avill be with the intention of practising as surgeons 
 under the aegis of the college diploma. Every petty town in the 
 country will have its certificated dentist poaching upon the prac- 
 tice of the fully-qualified man. . . . We regard the special dip- 
 loma as bad in principle and ruinous in policy, except to those 
 gentlemen, perhaps, who are benefited by the fees." 
 
 Both these journals continued to be exceedingly irate 
 at the action of the College of Surgeons, and gave ex- 
 pression again to their indignation. The " Medical 
 Times and Gazette," in its issue March 10, again reverted 
 to the subject, and, among other things, said — 
 
 " The council of the College of Surgeons, acting on the 48th 
 clause of the present Act, without any reference to the wishes of 
 the profession it ought to represent, is about to admit to its body 
 not only men who have passed a special examination, but men 
 who assume a retrospective qualification by virtue of having 
 operated on teeth, and worked at the mysteries of gold-plate, bone, 
 or vulcanite. We may thus expect, granting that this folly is not 
 stopped by the firm and manly voice of the profession, to see in- 
 troduced among us a number of persons who, claiming relation- 
 ship with a surgical corporation, will pass themselves on the 
 pubHc as surgeons, and being neither surgeons nor dentists, will 
 pretend to be everything. That such a suicidal course can be 
 allowed to pass without remonstrance is impossible. . . . Let it 
 be strongly proclaimed that we want no certificated specialists, 
 and won' t have them, and no power whatever can sustain them 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 1/3 
 
 ill honour. "We make this remark with the best feeling to the 
 members of the dental profession. In their own sphere we can 
 work with them as brethren, consult with them as equals, but 
 they must keep to their own sphere — not intrude upon ours." 
 
 This outburst of fretful jealousy and unjust insinua- 
 tion serves to show to some extent the difficulties in 
 the way of dental reform and progress. The " British 
 Medical Journal " of March loth, after a long denun- 
 ciation of the action of the College of Surgeons, concludes 
 its remarks by direct reference to the College of Dentists 
 and its plan thus — 
 
 " Taking things as they are, there are a large number of dentists ; 
 and of these there is a powerful section aiming to maintain 
 a college of their own and claiming their own independence. 
 These men, we learn, have spurned the temptation offered by the 
 College of Surgeons ; they disdain to creep into the medical pro- 
 fession surreptitiously and disgracefully. They are determined 
 to prove that the worth of their profession is not to be increased 
 by their buying the privilege of becoming appendages of a body in 
 which they would be regarded as intruders, but that it is to be 
 maintained and augmented only by independence, industry, and 
 conscientiousness. The medical profession will, do well to act in 
 concert with these men in resisting the disgraceful acts of the 
 College of Surgeons." 
 
 Eeferring to the same subject, the "Medical Circu- 
 lar," in its number for March 21st, remarks that — 
 
 " The confidence that now prevails between the surgeon and 
 the dentist would be severed ; the former would regard the latter 
 with jealousy, and would refrain from sending him patients. The 
 result would be that the dentist would be worse off in consequence 
 of his connection with the college than he is now ajDart from it. 
 A considerable number of them would, doubtless, invade the 
 practice of the surgeon ; but the remainder would scarcely know 
 how to live, and would be driven to connect the drug trade with 
 their other business. The necessities of the profession would 
 lead to the creation of a new order of dentists disassociated with 
 the college, and these only would receive patronage and sup- 
 ]">ort. Let the dentists carefully consider their position before 
 they embrace the council of the College of Surgeons' pro- 
 position." 
 
 Although somewhat amusing from the present point 
 of view as such sentiments, and so expressed, must be 
 
174 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 to the dental reader, at the time they were ushered 
 into the light of day they had a very different effect 
 indeed. It need hardly be said that the doleful predic- 
 tions thus uttered have not been fulfilled, nor has the 
 surgeons' province been at all invaded. The " Dental 
 Keview " did not keep silence. It said — 
 
 " The College of Surgeons may assume authority ; it cannot 
 change a sentiment, nor blend Into one two professions which are 
 by natural circumstances and boundaries entirely separated ; 
 still less can it do so by virtue of a mere scrap of paper which 
 gives no legal right, and which does not affiliate in any one par- 
 ticular the men who possess it with the institution that sold it — 
 which, in short, neither makes a dentist nor a surgeon ; and, 
 without making surgery dignified, makes dentistry a vassalage." 
 
 While the heat of contending parties was becoming 
 palpably stronger, the three days appointed for examina- 
 tion — ^dz., the 13th, 14th, and 20th of March i860 — saw 
 no less than forty-three gentlemen, most of whom were 
 distinguished members of the profession, submit to the 
 ordeal, and receive the dental diploma. Whatever, 
 therefore, might have been the opinion of other dentists, 
 or medical practitioners generally or in particular, there 
 could be no doubt about the estimate formed of the 
 licentiateship in dental surgery by those who thus sub- 
 mitted voluntarily to be tested upon their qualifications 
 to practise their special profession. So long as the 
 scheme propounded by the original founders of the 
 Odontological Society was in nucleus, or even approach- 
 ing completeness, there was a fair opportunity for discuss- 
 ing its merits and opposing its advance ; but when it had 
 become im fait accomjjli, opposition appeared useless. 
 However, this was not the idea of the College of 
 Dentists' party ; and whether the executive said as 
 much among themselves, or secretly thought so, there 
 can be no doubt that from that moment the doom of 
 "independency" was proclaimed. The council of the 
 College of Dentists had appealed to the medical profes- 
 sion on the subject of dentistry being a separate and 
 distinct, profession from surgery, and had received some 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 1 75 
 
 3000 names of gentlemen acquiescing in that view. 
 One of the most energetic workers in connection with 
 the Dental College, Mr, Peter Matthews, its former pre- 
 sident and treasurer, in the month of April, having pre- 
 viously retired from the college, presented himself at 
 Lincoln's Inn Fields, and received the new diploma. 
 The list of such recipients continued to increase, until 
 in June, just three months after the first examination 
 had taken place, the number of licentiates in dental 
 surgery was no less than eighty-eight. This list, alpha- 
 betically arranged, was somewhat triumphantly pub- 
 lished in the June issue of the "British Journal of 
 Dental Science." In the meantime the supporters of 
 the Dental Hospital of London, with others, had formu- 
 lated the London School of Dental Surgery, which on 
 the last day of April in that year was consummated. 
 On that occasion, and amid much hearty applause, Mr. 
 Samuel Cartwright, jun., delivered a most excellent 
 inaugural address. This took place at the Dental Hos- 
 pital, where a goodly company of influential and repre- 
 sentative gentlemen was assembled. Consolidation of 
 what had been already accomplished by the instrumen- 
 tality of the Odontological Society was now the principal 
 aim of that party. In the meantime, the College of 
 Dentists had set the engraver to work, and secured an 
 ornamental diploma, which it was proposed to confer 
 upon its members, not simply on account of their mem- 
 bership, but also as a guarantee of the holder's fitness 
 to practise dentistry. The document was somewhat 
 showy, bearing at the top the college arms and inscrip- 
 tion ; beneath which was the following statement : — 
 
 " By virtue of the powers vested in us by the council of this 
 college, we, the court of examiners, have diligently examined 
 
 , and have found him competent to exercise the art and 
 
 science of a dextal surgeon. We have, therefore, this day ad- 
 mitted him a member of this collecje." 
 
 This was followed by the signatures of the president, 
 examiners, secretary, and registrar, concluding with the 
 
176 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 
 
 date. There can be no question as to the real motives 
 of the projectors of this diploma. They were doubt- 
 less most anxious to do all they could towards affording 
 the public a guarantee which should ensure against 
 incompetency. They felt, and without question, the. 
 disastrous results of charlatanism^ and earnestly desired 
 to check, if not suppress it. Their examination was to ■ 
 be real and not fictitious, while the issue of a diploma 
 would go far to meet the universal longings to possess 
 an authoritative acknowledgment of the holder's capa- 
 city. But beyond this it is morally certain that the 
 granting of diplomas by the College of Dentists was 
 meant as an overt competitive act with the College of 
 Surgeons. Two certificates were in the field, and it 
 remained for the profession to elect which it should 
 obtain. The " Dental Eeview " left nothing unsaid to 
 promote the acceptance of the instrument emanating, 
 from Cavendish Square, nor was the " British Journal of 
 Dental Science" silent upon the all-absorbing subject. 
 The College of Dentists must be credited with exem- 
 plary diligence in seeking to improve its position. The 
 prizes had been distributed by the Metropolitan School 
 of Dental Science, at a most enthusiastic meeting. The 
 lectures in connection with the college were being de- 
 livered before numerous auditors. To the already well- 
 filled list of objects for the museum specimens of interest 
 and value were being added, and more promised. The 
 formation of a good library was under consideration, 
 and about this time, June i860, the council were pro- 
 posing to seek for more accommodation in larger pre- 
 mises than those then occupied. The large measure of 
 success which had been obtained by the opposing party, 
 instead of quenching zeal and obliterating hope, seemed 
 but to add fresh vigour to those connected with the 
 College of Dentists, and stimulate the executive to fur- 
 ther effort on its behalf. It may be, perhaps, safely 
 asserted that at no previous period 'had there been more 
 unflinching resolution manifested by the upholders of 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, IfJ 
 
 " independency " than at this time. They were deter- 
 mined to develop all their resources, and show an nn- 
 compromising front to the foe. One of the character- 
 istics of the College of Dentists' diploma was, that all 
 submitting to examination in order to ol3tain it were 
 not bound by the ordinary curriculum. Using the 
 phraseology of the editor of the " Dental Review," the 
 following is a description of the liberty here alluded to : 
 
 " We ask you not whether you come from east or west ; whether 
 you are self-taught or master -taught ; whether you have studied 
 twenty years or twenty months ; whether you have worked in 
 winter or summer ; bring with you a good character,' and prove 
 demonstrably that you possess the standard of knowledge which 
 we consider requisite, and your membership with us is secure." 
 
 This principle had considerable fascination, doubtless, 
 for some, especially for such as could, perhaps, with 
 difficulty afford to meet the expenses of the recognised 
 medical schools ; and the conclusion arrived at in the 
 minds of many w^as that under such a method the exa- 
 mination proposed would be less stringent or severe 
 than that imposed at Lincoln's Inn Fields. Whatever 
 motive actuated the gentlemen proposing to submit to 
 either of the two examinations, the value of a certificate 
 emanating from a chartered body like the Eoyal College 
 of Surgeons was undeniably greater than that issued by 
 an unchartered institution, as the College of Dentists 
 continued to be. This would have been still true, even 
 had the Dental College a majority of the well-known 
 and most influential practitioners to support it, w^hich, 
 indeed, it had not. However much the licentiateship 
 in dental surgery might be ridiculed by those who said 
 they saw in it nothing of worth to the possessor or to 
 the profession, such a document carried with it a legal 
 recognition of the holder's fitness to practise, and in no 
 other direction could such an acknowledgment be found. 
 For the dentists of this country to have won for them- 
 selves such a position, and in so short a time, reflected 
 the highest praise not only upon those who had origi- 
 
178 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 nally proposed it, but also upon every one wlio had been 
 instrumental in supporting the enterprise from its com- 
 mencement to its close. In four short years the pro- 
 fession had arisen and shaken itself from the dust and 
 disgrace of former times, and by dint of sheer hard work 
 had secured for itself a legal standing ; and it may be 
 fairly assumed that a corresponding social improvement 
 was thereby attained. If the national instinct in the 
 direction of liberty had been aroused, as it certainly 
 had, yet it would be futile to deny that another instinct 
 equally strong had not been dormant — namely, that 
 which not only looks towards but leans upon law 
 and order. In the certificate of the Royal College of 
 Surgeons this instinct was met; and while no im- 
 munity from distasteful services in the community was 
 granted, such as the full membership secured to 
 medical practitioners, yet the acknowledgment of den- 
 tists from a legal point of view was a distinct and most 
 important step in advance. Ardent spirits are always 
 to be found in every reform movement ; but the history 
 of all such revolutions teaches us that they are not 
 the safest guides. Unless the florid imaginations and 
 full demands of men of this temperament are gratified 
 there is sure to be a manifestation of discontent on 
 their part. Even those who had thus laboured and 
 won the new position would have preferred something 
 more than the certificate allotted to them. But, although 
 not absolutely content, they were well pleased with 
 what had been accomplished. In all legislation and 
 new enactments not only is the justness of the law to 
 be considered, but also the appropriateness of the time, 
 and the fitness to receive, and willingness to accept and 
 obey on the part of those legislated for. It is very 
 certain that the propounders of the " licentiateship " 
 scheme felt they had done that which would best suit 
 the needs of the dental profession, and were content to 
 wait until time had done its allotted work in proving the 
 .soundness of their views. They were rewarded before 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 1 79 
 
 the year i860 came to its close by seeing more than 
 a hundred members of the profession holding the new 
 dental degree. The Dental Hospital of London had 
 been doing quiet but efficient work, the patients being 
 more double in number than those of the preceding 
 year* The London School of Dental Surgery was 
 giving signs of real vitality, and the Odontolc>gical Society 
 was more than ever en evideiice, both from a practical 
 and scientific point of view. The effect of all this both 
 upon the College of Dentists and the outsiders in the 
 profession may be readily imagined. Whether Mr. 
 Eymer and his friends considered it politic to openly 
 admit defeat, there can be but little doubt as to what 
 both he and they must have felt at the distinct success, 
 or rather series of successes, which had been achieved 
 by the opposing ranks. They could, nevertheless, look 
 back upon their efforts as the year closed with honest 
 pride. The second session of the Metropolitan School 
 of Dental Science was opened in the month of October, 
 and an interesting and instructive address delivered by 
 Mr. T. Hulme, M.R.C.S.* A conversazione followed on 
 the 30th of the same month. The president of the 
 college (Mr. Waite) gave his address and reviewed the 
 progress of the institution, alluding to the lectures which 
 had been given to the members of the college by Pro- 
 fessor Erichsen, Dr. Richardson, and Mr. Hulme on 
 the important subjects of "Diseases of the Maxillary 
 Bones," "Ansesthetics," and the "Anatomy and Develop- 
 ment of the Teeth " respectively. Mr. James Eobin- 
 son, in conjunction with Mr. Tibbs (of Cheltenham), 
 vice-presidents of the college, desiring to stimulate the 
 students to real industry, had offered a prize of thirty 
 guineas for the best essay on " Caries of the Teeth." 
 So far from acknowledging defeat, the executive had 
 been searching for a separate building in which the college 
 might be installed ; but not being able to succeed in that 
 
 * In the month of May this hospital and school were recognised 
 by the Royal College of Surgeons. 
 
i8o DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN'. 
 
 direction, they contented themselves by securing a re- 
 newal of the lease of the rooms at No. 5 Cavendish Square, 
 together with increased accommodation for the larger 
 attendance of members and others who they fully ex- 
 pected would support then' cause. Those who had been 
 looking forward with eager anticipation to unity of 
 action between the two contending parties, were dis- 
 appointed on reading the last words which the editor of 
 the " Dental Review " published towards the end of that 
 year on that subject. The writer remarked — 
 
 " The College of Dentists of England, now consolidated, enters 
 on this new session with better days before it than it has yet 
 seen. In its attempts at reform it has accepted the broadest 
 policy. It stakes its position, not on an obedience to existent 
 prejudices, nor on personal compromises, but on the faith of an 
 introduction into its future life of young, unbiassed, working in- 
 tellect — of intellect represented by men who, trained in indepen- 
 dence, lured by scholarly friendships into unity, educated by early 
 learning into strength, and sustained in principle by association, 
 will identify the institution that has reared them with their own 
 lives, improve it by their labours, and consolidate it the more." 
 
 The friends of " independence " were thus filled with 
 courageous hope, if not sanguine expectation, concern- 
 ing the ultimate success of their project, and their faith 
 not only in the soundness of their principles, but in the 
 applicability of them, and their acceptance by a large 
 number of the up-coming generation of dentists, jpaust 
 have been unusually strong, especially with such a 
 fact as the 13th day of March in that year had 
 placed on permanent record. Mr. Eobinson had for 
 some time past changed his views concerning the Odon- 
 tological Society, and the side of the profession it repre- 
 sented, and had accordingly espoused once more the 
 college cause. He had been elected to the treasurership, 
 and determined to advance the interests of the institu- 
 tion as much as he possibly could. Originally one of 
 the trustees of the Dental Hospital of London he be- 
 came dissatisfied with that charity, and resigned his 
 office. His private reason, subsequently made known 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. l8r 
 
 to the author, was his personal dislike to be associated 
 with one of the gentlemen on the staff; but the true 
 motive lay in the direction of his strong desire to in- 
 augurate a similar hospital to be identified with the 
 College of Dentists of England. The struggle between 
 the two sections of the profession was destined to be 
 prolonged, and the " British Journal of Dental Science " 
 accepted this as the then situation, and in the leading 
 article in its first number for the following year, 1861, 
 after comparing the relative positions and prospects of 
 either side, said, in concluding, ''We look upon the 
 ' College of Dentists ' as a positive evil, calculated to 
 mislead the public, and to encourage a low tone of pro- 
 fessional conduct among dental practitioners." Al- 
 though it might have been inferred from the opening 
 remarks of the editor of the " Dental Eeview " that a 
 more peaceful era had dawned, many felt that such, 
 indeed, was not the case. The latter journal remarked, 
 " With the new year we come before our readers full of 
 expectation, not unalloyed with anxieties. AYe buried 
 with the last volume all feeling of rivalry, political and 
 general." What the feelings of the large mass of den- 
 tists occupying neutral ground may have been, it is not 
 easy to declare. Perhaps it would be nearest to truth 
 to say that they were content to wait still longer, and 
 watch the course events might take as the relative 
 strength and efficiency of the combatants to re]3resent 
 them were manifested. In the hope of displaying these 
 qualities the college party firmly believed in the pros- 
 pect of success. If the assertion that its strength was 
 gradually augmenting, the numbers of its supporters 
 were increasing, the certificate or diploma of membership 
 was pubHcly recognised, and the possession of that 
 document a thorough guarantee of the holder's fitness 
 to practise or to fill public appointments, could be re- 
 ceived as a reliable statement, its efforts in its own 
 chosen direction were justifiable enough. The clouds 
 overspreading the sky of the profession were murky and 
 
1 82 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 threatening, nevertheless, and there were not wanting 
 those who apprehended stormy days in the immediate 
 future. Although continued conflict was in one sense 
 much to be deplored, yet there can be no doubt that the 
 complete trial of the merits of the respective methods of 
 reform had in it enough of advantage to permit its continu- 
 ance unchecked. An angry tone of feeling between the 
 editors of the two dental journals displayed itseK in the 
 early part of this year on the subject of advertising, as it 
 was hinted, if not positively asserted, took place among 
 the members of the College of Dentists. Threats were 
 made by the conductors of the " Dental Eeview " to 
 arrest what the editor called " libellous and scurrilous 
 attacks." A correspondence accordingly ensued between 
 these two literary champions which ended in nothing, 
 or, at least, nothing that could be called satisfactory, as 
 is usual in similar cases, as a rule. What was far more 
 interesting and suggestive mthal was the commemora- 
 tive dinner of the establishment of the dental licentiate 
 degree. This event took place at the Albion Tavern, 
 London, on the 1 3th. of March — the late Mr. Arnold 
 Eogers being chairman. As the first anniversary dinner 
 of those concerned it proved a signal success, and words 
 of encouragement, direction, and hope for the future 
 were freely given by the speakers on the occasion. 
 Gentlemen from Scotland, Ireland, and distant parts of 
 England were present, and the social ties of the pro- 
 fession certainly were made all the firmer, while the 
 reminder thus given to those who still stood aloof of 
 what had been already accomplished for the benefit of 
 all, had in it the element of utility. The list of names 
 of gentlemen who had taken this degree was gradually 
 becoming larger, and it was an act of policy thus to meet 
 and let their brethren be made aware of the fact. On 
 the other side the college party felt constrained to rejoice 
 that two of their members (the late Mr. Cox Smith, of 
 Chatham, and Mr. Tweed, of London) had been appointed 
 to public posts — the former to Fort Pitt Establishment, 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 1 83 
 
 and the latter to the Essex and Colchester Hospital 
 On the occasion of the distribution of prizes in connec- 
 tion with the Metropolitan School of Dental Science in 
 April of this year, statements were made as to the pro- 
 gress already made, and that which was intended for the 
 furtherance of education wliich could not but be indi- 
 cative of a certain amount of success. Among other 
 matters which the Faculty of Lecturers had to report, 
 it appeared that several gentlemen already in practice 
 had entered at the school with the express intention of 
 making themselves qualified to pass the examination 
 necessary to obtain the diploma of membership of the 
 College of Dentists. A course of lectures on Practical 
 Chemistry was about to be commenced under the 
 superintendence of Dr. Bernays, and notice was also 
 given of the intention to institute a dental hospital 
 or infirmary in direct connection with the college and 
 school. It was evident that the Metropolitan School 
 of Dental Science was doing a healthy work for the 
 students there. The various prizes distributed on that 
 occasion had been obtained by the prizemen after sub- 
 stantial and continuous effort, and were contested for 
 by keen and anxious minds. Whatever some may 
 have thought as to the value of the licentiate's degree, 
 it was plain to all that the College of Dentists still 
 had an earnest following. 
 
 About the middle of this year the " Lancet," which 
 had all along supported the views held by the Odonto- 
 logical Society, published a trenchant article concerning 
 the College of Dentists, commenting upon its raison 
 d'etre, comparing it to the " Morisonian Institute " or 
 " College of Health," and complaining of the conduct of 
 some of its members in the direction of unprofessional 
 conduct by means of advertisements, and setting forth 
 the necessity " for the interests of the licentiates in 
 Dental Surgery now affiliated to our body," ..." to 
 all who value their social and intellectual status, that 
 they should not be supposed to be represented profes- 
 
lS4 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 
 
 sionally by a body whicli can consent to practices so 
 undignified, or allow its name to be paraded as a sanc- 
 tion to proceedings so entirely opposed to the canons of 
 professional conduct." The fact is, the Odontological 
 Society had determined to keep a strict watch over the 
 College of Dentists and the conduct of its members. 
 There was no disguise as to its resolution to take 
 advantage of anything and everything which could be 
 fairly brought against it. The rival bodies were in real 
 earnest in opposing each other, and whenever the 
 medical press could be helpful to the course which 
 each proposed, that help was eagerly sought for. When 
 the article in question appeared, it created a profound 
 sensation among the executive of the College of Den- 
 tists, and the "Dental Eeview" in alluding to it ad- 
 mitted that " a more serious attack against our inde- 
 pendent institution was, perhaps, never before made." 
 The result was, that Mr. Waite, the president, pub- 
 lished a long, temperate, and expostulatory reply. He 
 admitted that, notwithstanding certain stringent rules, 
 " It has happened, in a few instances, that certain per- 
 sons who have taken up our membership have pro- 
 ceeded in a way the council entirely condemns." He 
 also asserted the tu quoque concerning certain of the 
 dental licentiates, and put in evidence of the council's 
 action in such matters, that that year two names had 
 been struck off the college list and three others refused 
 admission on account of their perpetrating the offence 
 complained of. Mr. Waite gave the number of those 
 associated with the college at that time as i6o, and 
 summarised the proceedings of the body in the follow- 
 ing remarks : — " Thus we have, in the five years of our 
 existence, had delivered eleven distinct courses of lec- 
 tures from men who, by position and practical know- 
 ledge, were best fitted for the task. We have inaugu- 
 rated a school for systematic instruction in dentistry 
 and the collateral sciences for our junior brethren. We 
 have published four yearly volumes of ' Transactions,' 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 1 85 
 
 whicli have been largely reprinted and circulated both 
 in this country and in Anierica. We have opened a 
 reading-room, library, and museum. We have ap- 
 pointed committees to investigate special scientific 
 questions. We have instituted liberal prizes for the pro- 
 motion of dental science, and we have provided during 
 the session for monthly discussions and readings. 
 Finally, to give our membership more value, we have 
 lately originated a system of admission of members 
 by examination, the examining board having been 
 selected with all the judgment we could bestow upon 
 the selection." Mr. Waite concluded his reply by 
 stating the fact that 3000 members of the medical 
 profession gave them their countenance and encou- 
 raged them to proceed. It was evident that the 
 College of Dentists had not been idle, but on the con- 
 trary had, with all the influence it possessed, pushed 
 forward after its own method the movement of re- 
 form on the basis of education. It must be admitted, 
 however, that that influence was limited ; and its limi- 
 tation was the more apparent by the contrast of the 
 names of its supporters with those who were upholding 
 the opposite scheme. While the majority of the recog- 
 nised leaders in the dental ranks were to be found 
 identified with the working out of the means for se- 
 curing the licentiateship of the Eoyal College of Sur- 
 geons, it was manifest to every impartial observer that 
 the executive of the Dental College had reaUy but 
 small hope of eventual and permanent success. The 
 question of how to deal with advertisers, and how an 
 arrest of their unprofessional habits could best be 
 effected, was once more brought into prominence. 
 Unfortunately, that question had to deal with some- 
 thing deeper down than mere habit or practice. The 
 cause of advertising lay in the instincts and proclivities 
 of the men who indulged in it ; and no law, however 
 far-reaching in its effects, or wise in its conception, can 
 ever be depended upon to eradicate such an e^aL as all 
 
1 86 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 good men then deprecated and still deplore. The pro- 
 cess of moral purification must of necessity be slow ; 
 and it was, perhaps, from an over-anxiety on the part of 
 the higher-minded and zealous supporters of those 
 things, which such felt were necessary to consolidate 
 the good already done, and become the means of 
 achieving still more good in the future, that these 
 offences against professional conduct assumed such ugly 
 proportions in their eyes. The spirit evinced by both 
 sections of the dental body was of that type which 
 would not permit of any outrage of acknowledged 
 canons without extracting from it material for political 
 capital or party purposes. It was a time of trying of 
 strength. But wherever offenders were to be found, 
 there was cause for congratulation in the fact that they 
 were noted and denounced. The above letter in the 
 " Lancet " created a feeling of great irritation among 
 the College of Dentists' party, and the advice given by 
 the " Dental Eeview " was to give every opposition its 
 counter, and remain firm in the principle of indepen- 
 dence. On the other hand, the editor of the " British 
 Journal of Dental Science," after commenting upon and 
 criticising Mr. Waite's letter, concluded his article by 
 saying — " All will agree with us that it is deeply to be 
 lamented that a profession highly useful to the public, 
 and honourable to its representatives, should be sub- 
 jected to the degradation which is entailed in the pub- 
 lication of falsehoods by a body of men pretending 
 to represent the dentists of England." So far as the 
 candidates for the licentiate's degree were concerned, 
 their number was gradually on the increase. Up to 
 the end of July in this year (1861) one hundred and 
 thirty-one had obtained that distinction, and of that 
 number twelve out of the seventeen dentists appointed 
 to the Metropolitan Hospitals possessed it. The medi- 
 cal profession was evidently interested in the progress 
 of events. The "Lancet" adverted to the subject 
 again, and Mr. Waite again replied. Comments ap- 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 1 8/ 
 
 peared in the dental journals supporting either side, 
 and there were not wanting contributors to the discus- 
 sion, which was conducted in a far from amicable 
 spirit. Such was the animus, evoked, that the " Dental 
 Eeview" in one of its articles had the following state- 
 ment, which was put forth as very like a threat : — " A 
 correspondent, writing to us on the advertising ques- 
 tion, suggests that we print a carefully-compiled and 
 authenticated list of every advertisement that has been 
 put forth by every living dentist. The list certainly 
 would be a startling fact ; and if we do publish it, will 
 indicate that many who, under the treacherous protec- 
 tion of time, are bold in condemnation of the modern 
 advertiser, were better employed in performing a whole- 
 some penance in liquidation of past delinquencies." 
 Such words were not without their significance " to all 
 whom they might concern," and doubtless produced a 
 certain amount of fear and trembling in more directions 
 than the humbler paths of professional life and their 
 occupants. The question or rather subject of advertis- 
 ing raised a considerable amount of discussion, apart 
 from what was made public. So far as the " Dental 
 Eeview" was concerned — and its utterances may be 
 taken as reflecting the sentiments of the College of 
 Dentists — its conclusions were that in the then condition 
 of the profession " the admission of a truthful advertise- 
 ment must be allowed." Here, as in so many other 
 particulars, the opposition of ideas to those held by the 
 Odontological Society was apparent. The latter asso- 
 ciation condemned entirely public announcements 
 under all circumstances. It laid down a sharp line of 
 demarcation, and those who passed over to the side 
 wdiich permitted the use of advertisements of any sort 
 w^ere considered by it to have renounced their claim to 
 be quoted as professional gentlemen, and had voluntarily 
 sunk themselves to the lower level of tradesmen. This 
 year was characterised mainly by the determination of 
 both sections of the profession to advance in their 
 
1 88 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 chosen paths. The Odontological Society held its 
 regular meetings with increasing interest and scientific 
 utility. The Kcentiateship was steadily sought after, 
 and the number of those who obtained it became 
 greater at each examination of the board. The Dental 
 College carried on its usual meetings, and the Metro- 
 politan School of Dental Science was stirring itself, and 
 exhibiting increased activity, while there were the 
 social features of conversaziones and dinners, inter- 
 mingled with the more prosaic demands of study and 
 application. The one notable fact of the year, however, 
 for the college party was the inauguration, on the iith 
 of November, of the National Dental Hospital. Tliis 
 event took place on the premises, No. 149 Great Port- 
 land Street, Dr. Brady, M.P., being called upon to 
 preside. Such an institution had been suggested by 
 Dr. Alfred Carpenter, of Croydon, some four years 
 previously, but the National Dental Hospital was, 
 doubtless, due to the untiring energy and determination 
 of the late Mr. James Eobinson. The Metropolitan 
 School of Dental Science was not itself sufficient to 
 carry out the requirements of the College of Dentists 
 without such a sphere of demonstrative and practical 
 utility as a dental hospital could alone supply ; and as 
 the one had been established, and was in working 
 order, it was expedient that the complementary hospital 
 should be brought into existence. The Dental Hospital 
 of London was in full work, 7000 cases having been 
 admitted in the course of the year ; and the London 
 School of Dental Surgery was proving a thorough 
 success also. Each side congratulated itself upon its 
 career, and was determined to pursue its course with 
 unabated vigour. Conflict, it was evident, was not yet 
 to cease, and the hopes of union, and consequent peace 
 between opposing parties, were still faint and dim. 
 
 With the commencement of the following year 
 (1862) came a matter which served to divert the 
 thoughts of the profession from the harassment and fret 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 1 89 
 
 of poKtical subjects. This was the appearance of Mr. 
 Makins' work on metallurgy. To have secured the 
 services and co-operation of such an authority on the 
 above subject in connection with the London School 
 of Dental Surgery was an achievement of which the 
 promoters of that enterprise might well be proud. As 
 lecturer on this important branch of study, Mr. Makins 
 was creating a deep interest in it among the students 
 there, which was very gratifying. But the issue of the 
 " Manual of Metallurgy " was a distinct gain to the 
 entire profession. The author of that work had not 
 only directed his attention to the consideration of the 
 precious metals, but also to such others as were neces- 
 sarily used by dentists in their laboratories and operative 
 practice. This contribution to the gradually accumu- 
 lating literature of the profession was as timely and 
 welcome as it was practical and to the point. It cer- 
 tainly served then, and, indeed, still continues to do so, 
 as a stimulus to study in that important department of 
 knowledge. The work was very favourably reviewed, 
 and occupies the place of a book of reference on all 
 the subjects of which it treats. So far as the College of 
 Dentists was concerned, there was every evidence that its 
 executive intended to continue the efforts which it had 
 been making. A change occurred in the staff of lecturers 
 at the Metropolitan School of Dental Science. Mr. 
 Perkins, who had been hitherto, with the occasional 
 assistance of Mr. A Hockley, lecturing on dental 
 mechanics, was compelled through failing health to 
 resign his post. Mr. Hockley was called to succeed him, 
 and delivered his introductory lecture in iSTovember 
 1 86 1, and continued his course in the following year. 
 This extra duty must have proved a considerable tax 
 upon his time and energy, seeing that he held the office 
 of honorary secretary, in conjunction with Mr. Eymer, to 
 the Collecre of Dentists. "When the author vacated that 
 
 o 
 
 office, Mr. Hockley succeeded him, and bestowed both 
 time and labour in the most commendable way in the 
 
1 90 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 sphere to which he had been called by his brother 
 practitioners. Mr. Purland, who had been acting as 
 librarian and curator to the college, also retked in the 
 early part of the year, and was succeeded by Mr. E. T. 
 Hulme. These changes were to be expected, occurring 
 as such things do in all societies ; but a vacancy in the 
 college staff occurred shortly after for which no one 
 could be said to have been prepared. This arose from 
 the sudden death of Mr. James Eobinson, the treasurer 
 of that institution. The melancholy event took place 
 on the 4th March 1862, and created a shock and sur- 
 prise throughout the profession generally. A further 
 allusion will be found in this work touching this sad 
 ckcumstance. The opponents of the college were 
 steadily at work, watching and waiting the course of 
 events, and using all the available means at their dis- 
 posal to keep the merits of their method constantly 
 before the profession. The large mass of neutrals did 
 not appear likely to become less by the adoption of the 
 plans and principles of either of the contending sides. 
 In fact, the apathy exhibited by this class of practi- 
 tioners was very tedious to deal with by collegians and 
 odontologists alike. After more than five years of 
 strife and struggle, the expectation that the profession, 
 more or less as a whole, would elect its leaders for the 
 future was not at all an unreasonable one. Those, how- 
 ever, who had been waiting for such a decision to be 
 made were not destined to see their hopes gratified. 
 
 The depression experienced by those who were so 
 energetically endeavouiing to confer what they fully 
 believed would be lasthig benefits upon those who 
 would succeed them was none the less because it was 
 not very frequently alluded to. The disinterestedness 
 which many of the more prominent members of the 
 profession on either side were showing was manifest 
 from the fact that, m several instances, there were no 
 members of their families destined to enter the dental 
 ranks. It becomes very certain, therefore, as a conclu- 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. IQI 
 
 sion in all reflective and impartial minds, that what was 
 being done was only possible to men of indomitable 
 perseverance and unfaltering faith. When the 1 3th of 
 March came round, the licentiates in dental surgery 
 asjain met at the Albion Tavern to commemorate the 
 granting of the degree. On that occasion Mr. Thomas 
 Bell occupied the chair, and was supported by Messrs. 
 Laurence and Arnott of the Koyal College of Surgeons. 
 Whatever the indifference of the bulk of dental practi- 
 tioners to the movement progressing in their midst, this 
 gathering proved itself a means of increasing the deter- 
 mination on the part of those who had been thus far 
 successful to persevere in the direction they had been 
 pursuing. It must have been a great reward to all who 
 had so unremittingly worked to secure afhliation with 
 the Eoyal College of Surgeons for the dental profession 
 to hear from such an authority as (the late) Mr. Law- 
 rence such words as these : " We are, indeed, as our 
 chairman has said, all one hocly — associated in the ac- 
 complishment of a common end ; and let me say, that 
 it is simply impossible for one branch of the profession 
 to be elevated, without that elevation redounding to the 
 credit of the general body." And also, " I can say, 
 however, for the council of the College of Surgeons, that 
 we feel a deep interest in the welfare of the dental 
 profession ; and are ready to promote its welfare in 
 every way in our power." Mr. La^vrence had warmly 
 expressed the ideas, the fulfilment of which were thus 
 being celebrated, and his powerful influence, in conjunc- 
 tion with Mr. Arnott and Mr. Green, had materially 
 smoothed the way for the acceptance of the memorialists' 
 views by the executive at Lincoln's Inn Fields. Another 
 gratifying proof of the estimation in which true service 
 to the cause of professional advance was held appeared 
 in the determination to present Mr. Tomes with a testi- 
 monipl to that effect. For years past Mr. Tomes had 
 been labouring for the general good; and not only by his 
 personal presence and counsel at the several meetings 
 
192 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 which had been held, but also by his valuable contribu- 
 tions to dental and scientific literature, had shown him- 
 telf to be a real friend to the profession. The idea 
 of a "Tomes' Testimonial" once mentioned, it speedily 
 took form, and reached maturity. Mr. S. Cartwright, 
 jun., kindly consented to act as chairman of the Testi- 
 monial Fund Committee, and used all his influence to 
 secure the best possible results. Mr. T. A. Eogers acted 
 as treasurer, and in the course of a very short time found 
 out that his ofiice was not a sinecure. Subscriptions, 
 limited to one guinea, were freely given, coupled with 
 the kindest expressions towards the, to-be, recipient. All 
 preliminary arrangements having been completed, July 
 1 6th was fixed as the day for the presentation to take 
 place. This, moreover, was made the occasion of a 
 public dinner by the subscribers, which was held at 
 the Freemasons' Tavern, London. Mr. Samuel Cart- 
 wright, jun., presided ; Mr. A. Eogers being vice-chair- 
 man. A very large number of the subscribers came 
 together, and Mr. Cartwright, after highly eulogising the 
 efforts Mr. Tomes had so continuously made for the true 
 advance of the dental profession, presented the testi- 
 monial in graceful terms to him. The gift took the 
 form of an elegant tea and coffee service, on a double- 
 stage centrepiece — the whole forming a beautiful de- 
 sign, in sterling silver, mounted on a stand. A silver 
 shield bore the following inscription : — 
 
 ^resenteti ta 
 J. TOMES, Esq., F.E.S., 
 
 BY SEVERAL OF HIS BROTHER PRACTITIONERS, IN ACKNOWLEDG- 
 MENT OF THE MANY VALUABLE SERVICES HE HAS RENDERED 
 TO HIS PROFESSION, JULY 1 6, 1 862. 
 
 The gift was accepted and acknowledged by Mr. 
 Tomes in appropriate terms ; and the occasion was one 
 of great pleasure to all concerned, and helped in no 
 small degree to cement newly-made friendships, and 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 1 93 
 
 was not without its effect in the direction of strength- 
 ening that cause with which he had so prominently 
 identified himseK. 
 
 The International Exhibition of this year had, as a 
 matter of course, drawn several foreign dentists to this 
 country; and this circumstance was utilised by the 
 College of Dentists of England, it being in the opinion 
 of that body a fitting opportunity for offering some sort 
 of hospitality to their foreign brethren — some token both 
 of courtesy and goodwill. It would have been well had 
 there been a general combination for such a purpose ; 
 but from some cause or other, or, perhaps, from many 
 causes, the profession was not in a condition thus unani- 
 mously to concur. On the 23d of July a dinner in 
 honour of the foreim dentists then in England was 
 given by the Dental College at the Freemasons' Tavern, 
 London, which was attended by several practitioners 
 from Germany, America, &c., together with not a few 
 members of the medical profession of this count^)^ 
 The chau^ was taken on the occasion by Mr. Waite, 
 president of the college, and many fraternal and friendly 
 sentiments were expressed. Drs. Parmly, Abbott, 
 Steinberger, with Mr. Hulme, Dr. Eichardson, ]\Ir. 
 E}aner, and others, were among the speakers. 
 
 The unhappy American war then raging precluded 
 many eminent dentists from visiting London ; but the 
 College of Dentists, it may be supposed, felt that such 
 an act of hospitality as that just related would also 
 stand somewhat in the light of an appreciating acknow- 
 ledcrment of the recos^nition which had been bestowed 
 from time to time upon the promoters of " indepen- 
 dence " by their Transatlantic brethren. If there could 
 have been large numbers of American practitioners 
 present on the occasion, it woidd have been still more 
 pleasant to have welcomed them as guests ; as it was, 
 there could have been no other feelinsr than that of 
 gratification in meeting^ those who had come around the 
 hospitable board thus spread by the executive of the 
 
194 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 
 
 Dental College. There appeared, quite up to the end 
 of this year, the same determination on the part of the 
 two opposing sections of the profession to relinquish 
 nothing in their several attempts at supremacy. It is 
 true, nevertheless, that the minds of many of the best 
 men were truly weary of continued strife ; and it was 
 to them at least a great relief to hear, as it was asserted 
 some did hear, a faint whisper of peace. 
 
( 195 ) 
 
 CHAPTEE YIIL 
 
 The prognostics in which the more hopeful members of 
 the profession had ventured, at the close of 1862, to 
 indulge concerning the blending of the two sections 
 hitherto so diametrically opposed to each other, gave 
 evidence of their correctness in the opening of the year 
 1863. Although not publicly known, preparations had 
 already been commenced, with the object of bringing 
 about the fusion. Mr. Eymer had felt that the success- 
 ful institution of , the licentiateship at the Eoyal College 
 of Surgeons had destroyed all ■ reasonable expectation 
 of establishing permanently the movement which he 
 had organised. He had arrived at this conclusion only 
 after having tested to its full extent the probability of 
 success attendinsf his efforts, and those of his fellow- 
 labourers in the college cause. He had striven heartily, 
 and in the most unselfish and disinterested manner, to 
 accomplish what he sincerely believed would best meet 
 the requirements, and advance the interests of the 
 dental profession. His hope was strong in the good 
 results to be obtained throus^h the National Dental Hos- 
 pital and the Metropolitan School of Dental Science, 
 both of which had been the outgrowth of the College of 
 Dentists. By the abandonment of the latter institu- 
 tion, however, he saw that these two channels of benefit 
 would not necessarily be closed. The expectation of 
 obtaininof a charter for the Dental Collesre was evi- 
 dently a vain one, in the face of the fact that the Eoyal 
 College of Surgeons had been empowered to admit den- 
 tists to examination and association there. To con- 
 
196 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 tiniie the College of Dentists as a mere opposing insti- 
 tution lie considered both unnecessary and nnworthy, 
 while to resign connection with it, and, as he justly 
 calculated, with such a step to draw with him all high- 
 minded and true-spirited men associated with it and 
 himself, would only be to leave it open to unscrupulous 
 persons, and thus really to inaugurate a new danger 
 and dir&culty. There remained, therefore, nothing for 
 him to do but to consent to amalgamation with the 
 Odontological Society, endeavouring to secure the co- 
 operation of as many of his colleagues as possible, and 
 with them to obtain honourable terms of capitulation. 
 To this end propositions were made and submitted to 
 the Odontological Society. 
 
 Mr. Eymer had consulted with Mr. Yasey, an influen- 
 tial member of the Odontological Society, and had ascer- 
 tained through him that Mr. Tomes was willing to 
 confer with him (Mr. Eymer) on the subject. It was 
 considered necessary, that, as the former terms of amal- 
 gamation had been rejected by the College of Dentists, 
 this body should make the new proposals. A council 
 meeting at the college was then called, the subject dis- 
 cussed, and a resolution unanimously passed, wherein 
 the desirability of union was expressed. This was for- 
 warded to the council of the Odontological Society, 
 who approved it, and appointed a sub-committee — 
 Messrs. A. Eogers, S. Cartwright, and J. Tomes— -to meet 
 a similar sub-committee from the other side. The Col- 
 lege of Dentists deputed Messrs. Imrie, Hulme, Weiss, 
 and Eymer to represent it. These gentlemen met at 
 the house of Mr. A. Eogers, December 22, 1862, and 
 the result of this was the following proposal : — 
 
 " Resolved : 
 
 " I. That the title 'The Odontological Society of London,' be 
 abandoned, in favour of the title ' The Odontological Society of 
 Great Britain,' for the purpose of emlDodying the members of the 
 College of Dentists of England, under the latter title, with the 
 members of the Odontolo^dcal Societv. 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. IQ/ 
 
 " 2. Tliat tlie byelaws of tlie Odontological Society relating to 
 the election of members, nameh", laws 5, 6, and 7, be suspended ; 
 and the members of the College of Dentists who are such accord- 
 ing to the strict interpretation of the laws of that body, be em- 
 bodied as members of the Odontological Society of Great Britain. 
 
 " 3. That the interpretation of the laws of the College of 
 Dentists respecting the use of professional advertisements shall 
 be interpreted as excluding those members who use any other 
 advertisements than a simple announcement of change of resi- 
 dence. 
 
 " 4. That the members of the College of Dentists who are 
 embodied in the Odontological Society of Great Britain during 
 the suspension of the laws of the Odontological Society, viz., 5, 6, 
 and 7, respecting the election of members, shall not be required 
 to pay an entrance fee. 
 
 " 5. That on the embodiment of the members of the College of 
 Dentists with the members of tlie Odontological Society, under 
 the title of the Odontological Society of Great Britain, three 
 ordinary members of council, and one town and one country 
 vice-president, be added to the present council of the Odontolo- 
 gical Society from the council of the College of Dentists ; but 
 that at the expiration of three years from the date of such addi- 
 tion the members of the council shall revert to the number 
 which at present constitutes the council of the Odontological 
 Society. 
 
 *' 6. That after the embodiment of the members of the College 
 of Dentists, the suspension of the laws respecting the admission. 
 of members shall cease ; and that the laws by which the Odon- 
 tological Society is now governed shall govern the Odontological 
 Society of Great Britain, except as respects the temporary in- 
 crease in the number of office-bearers. 
 
 " 7. That the property of the College of Dentists and of the 
 Odontological Society shall become the property of the Odonto- 
 logical Society of Great Britain. 
 
 " 8. That the members of the joint-committee of the Odon- 
 tological Society and the College of Dentists hereby subscribe 
 their names to the spirit of the subjoined resolutions. 
 
 S. Cartwright, jun. 
 William Ijirie. 
 John Tomes. 
 Felix "Weiss. 
 Alfred Canton. 
 Robert Thomas Hulme. 
 Arnold Eogers. 
 Samuel Lee Eymer." 
 
198 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 
 
 The College of Dentists having, upon consideration, 
 nominated four gentlemen instead of three, the Odon- 
 tological Society added the name of Mr. Canton, to 
 preserve equality of numbers. 
 
 Allusion to these resolutions was made in the report 
 presented by the council of the College of Dentists at 
 the annual general meeting of that body, held January 
 22, 1863, and in the course of the evening Mr. Eymer 
 was called upon by the chairman, Mr. Perkins, who 
 presided in the absence of the president, to introduce 
 the subject to those present. Having done so in a few 
 explanatory remarks, Mr. Eymer read the whole of the 
 resolutions, forming, as they did, the report of the sub- 
 committee appointed to negotiate the terms of union be- 
 tween the two bodies. Some discussion followed on the 
 name proposed ; but when the proposition for the terms 
 arrived at to be accepted was put, the meeting unani- 
 mously adopted it. On March 2d, a special general 
 meeting of the Odontological Society was held for the 
 purpose of taking into consideration the foregoing terms 
 of amalgamation — Mr. S. Cartwright, jun., the president, 
 in the chair. Mr. Cartwright introduced the subject by 
 detailing the steps which had been taken to secure the 
 formation of the joint sub-committees appointed to con- 
 sider the method by which the union of the rival bodies 
 could be effected, and spoke in cordial terms of the 
 enterprise, the adoption of which had already passed the 
 council of the society. In an able speech Mr. Harri- 
 son moved the following resolution : " That this meet- 
 ing fully approves of the amalgamation of the Odonto- 
 logical Society of London and the College of Dentists of 
 England on the terms agreed to by the sub-committees 
 of their respective councils, and cordially agrees to ac- 
 cept the union upon those terms on the formal dissolu- 
 tion of the latter body." Mr. James Parkinson, in a few 
 remarks, expressed his entire confidence in the result 
 that had been arrived at by the sub-committee, and 
 warmlv seconded Mr. Harrison's resolution. The sub- 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 1 99 
 
 ject being then open to discussion, several pertinent and 
 important questions were asked by gentlemen present, 
 and satisfactory replies given from the chair. The 
 general tone of the meeting was distinctly that of ap- 
 proval, but one gentleman — Mr. ISTapier — rose and 
 expressed his disapproval of the project. He was, 
 however, fully answered by Mr. Cattlin, Mr. Bigg, and 
 especially so by Mr. Harrison ; and when the motion 
 was put from the chair, Mr. Napier was left, as Mr. 
 Tomes subsequently remarked, " in a glorious minority 
 of oner After this decision there remained only one 
 other resolution to be adopted to conclude the entire 
 business of this most important meeting. In moving 
 that resolution, which was to the following effect, viz. : 
 " That it be left to the council of this society to carry 
 out the arrangements for completing the union of the 
 two bodies on the terms proposed, in such a way as 
 may seem best," Mr. Tomes gave expression to these, 
 among other remarks, which are of interest as evidences 
 of his mind then, and may be useful to remember under 
 the present circumstances of the profession as well : — 
 " When a body of men are willing to abandon their own 
 special views in favour of a common cause, and have 
 acted in the spirit in which the College of Dentists 
 have acted on the present occasion, it is not for us to 
 scrutinise the past too closely ; but it is for us to re- 
 ceive them with liberality, placing implicit confidence 
 in the future. If in adopting a liberal course we can 
 embrace a number of men who have been in the habit 
 of advertising, and thereby induce them to abandon this 
 unprofessional practice, it will be to the general advan- 
 tage of the profession. Before taking my seat I must 
 protest against the general accusation of inferiority pre- 
 ferred against the members of our profession. There 
 are many practitioners unknown to us who hold as high 
 a position in town and country as those who frequent 
 this room. We are too apt to class those we do not 
 know with the inferior men with whom we happen to 
 
200 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 "be broiiglit into contact — a tendency calculated to pro- 
 duce miscMef, and one we shall do well to abandon." 
 It need scarcely be added that such sentiments, and 
 expressed by such an indefatigable worker in the ele- 
 vation of the dental profession as Mr. Tomes has ever 
 proved to be, were received with loud cheers. On 
 the 20th of March, a special general meeting of the 
 College of Dentists was convened, to take the neces- 
 sary steps for securing the names of gentlemen as office- 
 bearers, to represent the body in that capacity in con- 
 nection ^vith the Odontological Society, and for the for- 
 mal dissolution of the College. Mr. William Imrie, 
 president, was in the chah\ The result of the ballot 
 showed that Mr. William Perkins, Mr. William Imrie, 
 and ]Mr. Somerset Tibbs had been elected vice-presidents, 
 and Mr. E. T. Hulme, Mr. H. T. Kempton, and Mr. 
 S. L. Eymer members of council. The votes for the 
 dissolution of the college were — by members present, 
 38 ; by proxies, 47 — total 85. Two votes against the 
 dissolution were registered, with one neutral. Thus, 
 then, after nearly seven years of existence and severe 
 struggle, the College of Dentists of England ceased to 
 be. Its efforts for what its promoters sincerely consi- 
 dered the general good had been unremitting. As an 
 enterprise it had developed many excellent qualities in 
 its advocates and supporters. Through its instrumen- 
 tality agencies had been set in motion which could not 
 fail to be beneficial to those who had been associated 
 with it, and there can be no doubt that the final act 
 was one of deep regret to many concerned. The idea 
 of an independent institution had been fairly put before 
 the profession by Mr. Eymer, accepted by a large num- 
 ber of the practitioners, both in London and the pro- 
 vinces, in public meeting assembled, and with large ex- 
 penditure of time, money, energy, and perseverance it 
 had been advocated. This attempt had received both 
 internal and external support from the medical profes- 
 sion to a considerable extent ; nor did it lack encour- 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 201 
 
 agement from the " Transatlantic brethren. It failed, 
 however, simply because it was surpassed. The Odon- 
 tological Society's scheme outrivalled it, and when it 
 thus expired, it was but the inevitable result of conflict 
 with a superior force. The amalgamation of the two 
 bodies took place at a meeting of the Odontological 
 Society, held May 4th (1863), when the official Hst of 
 members, presented by the council of the late College 
 of Dentists, was formally read. One hundred and 
 eleven ordinary members, and three honorary members, 
 constituted the addition thus made to the Oclontolooical 
 Society of Great Britain. Mr. Arnold Eogers, with his 
 usual courtesy, said many kind and encouraging words 
 on the occasion, and Mr. Epner, with modesty and 
 good taste, replied on behalf of those with whom he had 
 been so long and intimately acquainted. This event 
 was a happy inauguration of an entirely new era. It 
 was not only the formal cessation of hostilities between 
 parties who never should have been in opposition, but 
 also the blending of hitherto hostile forces in a com- 
 mon pact for the common good. The feeling of relief 
 throughout the entire profession was manifest enough. 
 There may have been, and doubtless were, lingering in 
 the minds of some, doubts as to what would be the out- 
 come of this amalgamation. No movement of any im- 
 portance is ever made without its due proportion of 
 doubts and fears. There are always to be found men 
 ready to magnify evils and difficulties, but who are either 
 without the power or will, or both, perhaps, to rectify 
 or remove them. Purists, too, are not absent at such 
 times, men who would have an all but Utopian con- 
 dition of things, and from their own fancied exaltation 
 talk words into an atmosphere too highly rarified for 
 ordinary individuals to breathe. While such members 
 of the profession as Mr. Arnold Eogers, Mr. Cartwright, 
 and Mr. Tomes were evidently inspired with a well- 
 founded hope in the matter, there was not much room 
 for despair among others who were less informed. 
 
202 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 "Whatever faults the Odontological Society may have 
 had to find with any of its members, it is but just to 
 those who came into its ranks from the College of Dentists 
 to say, that they have not thus unenviably distinguished 
 themselves. The effort which Mr. Eymer had made to 
 advance the interests of his fellow-practitioners, though 
 thus ultimately ineffectual, had been both sincere and 
 thoroughly disinterested. It was determined, therefore, 
 by those with whom he had laboured, that some mark 
 of their appreciation of his work should be offered him, 
 and, with him, to Mr. Hockley also, who had been so 
 indefatigable in the office of honorary secretary to the 
 College of Dentists. A "Eymer and Hockley Testimonial 
 Fund" was opened, Mr. E. Hulme acting as honorary 
 secretary and treasurer. This fund was very cordially 
 subscribed to ; and on the evening of May i ith (1863), 
 after the meeting of the Metropolitan School of Dental 
 Science for the distribution of prizes, a large number of 
 gentlemen, most of whom had been connected in the 
 past with the late College of Dentists, adjourned to 
 St. James' Hall for the purpose of presenting the above- 
 named gentlemen with tangible proofs of their respect 
 and esteem. Mr. Purland occupied the chair, and in an 
 appropriate address recounted some of the circumstances 
 which had characterised the efforts which had been 
 made, and after eulogising the untiring energy which 
 had been displayed by both Mr. Eymer and Mr. 
 Hockley, presented the testimonials to them. The 
 various objects, which had been chosen by the reci- 
 pients themselves, bore the following inscriptions : — 
 "Presented to Samuel Lee Eymer, Esq., May 11, 1863, 
 by members of the College of Dentists of England, as 
 a token of respect, and in acknowledgment of his 
 services to the dental profession. College of Dentists 
 of England, founded by Samuel Lee Eymer, Esq., 
 DecemlDer 16, 1856, united to the Odontological Society 
 of Great Britain, May 4, 1863." "Presented to Anthony 
 Hockley, Esq., May 11, 1863, by members of the Col- 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 203 
 
 lege of Dentists of England, as a mark of respect, and 
 in acknowledgment of his services as honorary secre- 
 tary. College of Dentists of England, fonnded Decem- 
 ber i6, 1856, united to the Odontological Society of 
 Great Britain, May 4, 1863." 
 
 These presents were, of course, appropriately acknow- 
 ledged by the gentlemen in question, and such offerings 
 proved the high estimation in which genuine disinte- 
 rested effort was held by all concerned. In fact, the 
 circumstance of the college scheme having failed was at 
 such a moment lost sight of in the remembrance of the 
 sustained perseverance which had been shown to make 
 it succeed if possible. Whatever political opinion 
 might be held by other members of the profession, it 
 was pleasing to know that years of real labour had 
 thus met with a practical recognition. The amalgama- 
 tion of the two bodies having taken effect, it was deter- 
 mined that for the future the Metropolitan School of 
 Dental Science should be carried on at the National 
 Dental Hospital. Mr. H. T. Kempton continued to 
 hold the office of secretary to the school, a position 
 which he had assiduously filled from its formation. 
 One of the strongest evidences of the complete fusion 
 of the two societies was given by several gentlemen, 
 formerly members of the College of Dentists, presenting 
 themselves for examination with a view to taking the 
 licentiateship degree at the Eoyal College of Surgeons. 
 During the months of June and July in this year 
 (1863) some twenty practitioners received the certifi- 
 cate. Such a step on their part was worthy of all com- 
 mendation. They thus not only took a recognised 
 position, but also afforded the assurance of real union 
 with their former opponents. When the College of 
 Surgeons accepted the proposal to grant certificates of 
 proficiency to practise, one of the stipulations was that 
 the certificate would be available to all who had been 
 in practice up to the year 1859 without theh pass- 
 ing through the prescribed curriculum. In September, 
 
204 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 therefore, of this year (1863) this term of grace would 
 expire. The " British Journal of Dental Science " called 
 attention to this important fact, and the "Dental 
 Eeview " in a very sensible article echoed it. From 
 this time onwards the rivalry of opposing factions 
 ceased, because there existed no need for conflict. 
 What remained to be accomplished, therefore, could be 
 defined in one comprehensive word — " development." 
 To effect this was certainly worthy of quite as much 
 energy as had before been displayed in another direction. 
 The activities of life in all its departments are, perhaps, 
 less perceptible in times of peace than in those of war, 
 but the result of well-directed action, such as was then 
 necessary, was as honourable as any laurels hastily 
 snatched in the heat of conflict. It was anticipated by 
 some that the leaders in the past movements would 
 suffer from the inevitable reaction which would ensue. 
 The faith of others in the leading men of the profession 
 was strong enough to allow them to look for continued 
 effort in the direction of real progress. One mark of 
 advance was perceptible in the establishment of a 
 Dental Students' Society in connection with the Dental 
 Hospital of London. This society owed its origin to 
 Mr. W. Hele, then a student at the above institution. 
 It was to be a sort of junior Odontological Society, 
 where papers on the principles and practice of dental 
 surgery could be read and discussed, under the presi- 
 dency of one of the members of the medical staff. An 
 opportunity would be thus given for the students to 
 accumulate interesting facts as they occurred to them 
 in their daily practice, and lay them before their con- 
 freres as occasion offered. Another, and a by no means 
 unworthy result, would be open to them, namely, that 
 of marshalling their ideas in their minds, and then 
 giving expression to them in correct language. There 
 are many influential men who, for want of early train- 
 ing in the art of public speaking, although intellectually 
 furnished, are of little or no use to others, seeing they 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 205 
 
 are not capable of expressing themselves in such a way 
 as to place their stores of information at the service of 
 those who would gladly and respectfully listen to them. 
 It was a good omen to see the embryo dentists thus 
 assembled, willing to have their opinions submitted to, 
 and discussed, changed, or even exploded by, each other. 
 This society has continued, with some exceptions, to 
 exist to the present time. The anniversary dinner of 
 the dental licentiates continued to be held, and, as a 
 means of strengthening old ties and forming new ones, 
 it was useful enough. That it should be used for another 
 purpose was suggested in the " British Journal of Den- 
 tal Science " for March 1 864. In the number of those 
 who had taken the licentiateship degree were to be 
 found, here and there, those who could not refrain fi'om 
 advertising, and made the degree itself contribute to 
 their design in this direction. This unpleasant fact 
 was, although vexatious to real reformers, perhaps to 
 be anticipated. In aU departments of professional life 
 individuals of this type are to be found, men who wor- 
 ship personal advance so ardently as to obliterate all 
 other and nobler sentiments. To such the power of 
 asserting their connection with a recognised and acknow- 
 ledged body ever proves too strong a temptation to be 
 resisted for long together. That all such dehnquents 
 should be made to understand that they had thus for- 
 feited all claim to fellowship with those upon whose 
 honourable position and practices they sought to draw 
 was correct enough, and the " British Journal " proposed 
 that they should be quietly excluded from any and all 
 participation in the amenities and reciprocities of these 
 annual gatherings. It does not appear, however, that, 
 while they lasted, this suggestion was distinctly acted 
 upon. Nothing is at aU likely to correct and eradicate 
 the obnoxious system of advertising but a higher and 
 proper admission of what a profession demands by those 
 whose proclivities at present lean so strongly towards 
 public announcements. While the world outside con- 
 
206 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 descends to patronise advertisers so much as it does, the 
 unprofessional practitioner finds too readily a reason for 
 displaying his " quasi " attainments to allow such a wide 
 field to remain uncultivated. Eestrictive laws are all but 
 useless, owing to the difficulty of their effective operation, 
 and there remain, therefore, but education and example 
 on which the true practitioner may hope to rely. A 
 further step in the prohibitory direction was the ballot- 
 box at the Odontological Society, and this suggestive 
 and practical little instrument has been freely exercised. 
 A feeling began to manifest itself among the licentiates 
 generally that their position should be more distinctly 
 acknowledged as members of a branch of the medical 
 profession. This they considered would, in some de- 
 gree, be effected by their being permitted the use of the 
 library and museum, and also being allowed to attend 
 the various lectures delivered at the Eoyal College of 
 Surgeons. At the anniversary dinner of the licentiates 
 this subject was formally alluded to in an excellent 
 speech delivered by Mr. Harrison. Mr. William Law- 
 rence, F.RS., was chairman on the occasion, and some 
 of the remarks of such a high authority are worthy of 
 ret3ord, and might be remembered with great advantage 
 now. Having sketched the rise and progress of the dental 
 reform movement, and eulogising the efforts which had 
 been made, Mr. Lawrence proceeded to say, "Among 
 those who sit at this table are many members of the 
 college, and some among them have attained the higher 
 grade of fellowship. This is all plain and easy, without 
 reference to the course of education and examination 
 proposed for the future. It is open to any one who is 
 not inclined to submit to that rigid examination to 
 come as the former members of the dental body have 
 done, and to become members like other surgeons. The 
 difference between those gentlemen who mean in future 
 to practise as dentists with the licence of the college 
 and members possessing the diploma, is not that the 
 dental surgeons will be less informed than the members. 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 20/ 
 
 but, if that ciirriculum is to be thoroughly carried out, 
 they will be better informed. That curriculum lays 
 down a surgical and anatomical examination nearly 
 equal to that of members of the college, and in addition 
 it prescribes a long course of special education which 
 does not belong to the practice of surgery. Well, if 
 they undergo that examination, wdiy are they not to be 
 members of the College of Surgeons in the same way as 
 those of their brethren who have undergone the usual 
 examination for the membership ? That is a question I 
 cannot answer. I don't see any reason why they should 
 not, but I speak for myself. My opinion is, that they 
 will be absolutely better informed. I think the course 
 taken by the body of dentists in endeavouring to im- 
 prove their education, and thus to render their body 
 more worthy of the public confidence, and more capable 
 of giving efficient assistance to those who seek their 
 aid, does them the highest credit. I have watched with 
 great interest the whole course of these proceedings, 
 from the first apphcation to the college to the present 
 time. I have always sympathised with the efforts those 
 gentlemen were making, and I have had great pleasure 
 in seeing their success, so far as it has gone up to the 
 present time." In his concluding speech Mr. Lawrence 
 further said, "I think a person who is decently acquainted 
 with reading, writing, and arithmetic, if he gets thor- 
 oughly acquainted mth his own profession,will become 
 a very useful member of society, though he does not 
 know Latin or Greek, nor the elements of mathematics. 
 Some of the most distinguished members of all the 
 branches of our profession are totally ignorant of 
 these, but yet they are good men, and capital prac- 
 titioners." T\^iether the desire of the licentiates 
 in dental surgery to have their names placed on the 
 register was reasonable or absurd need not be entered 
 into. It was not, from the easily-excited jealousy 
 of the full members of the College of Surgeons, 
 in any way likely of being accomplished. The " Medi- 
 
208 D'^WTAD'^EFOEM in great BRITAIN. 
 
 cal Times aiiil <&azette " took the subject up, and niildly 
 censured Mr. Lawrence for what he had advanced, 
 especially the concluding remarks of that gentleman, 
 above quoted. Although the most eminent surgeons 
 admitted that the curriculum for securing the licenti- 
 ateship was full and sufficient for the holder of it to 
 consider himself incorporated into the medical body, 
 the above journal, echoing the sentiments of many 
 medical practitioners, pronounced the stern verdict, 
 " Outside still." Mr. Harrison addressed a letter in 
 reply to the editor of the "Medical Times and 
 Gazette's " remarks, but this was not published in that 
 journal. It was very evident that Mr. Lawrence's ob- 
 servations were taken hold of as a pretext for opposi- 
 tion to any hope the licentiates in dental surgery were 
 indulging of finding a place for their names on the 
 resjister. The editor could not for a moment reason- 
 ably conclude that Mr. Lawrence advocated scanty 
 education in any member of the medical body. 
 The fiat was that unless those whose determina- 
 tion it was to practise as dental surgeons, and dental 
 surgeons only, would submit to an expenditure of 
 time, money, and energy in the acquisition of know- 
 ledge of subjects utterly useless to them, they must not 
 presume to hope for a position which would entitle 
 them to protection. There can be no difficulty in con- 
 cluding from what feeling such sentiments sprung. 
 The idea that licentiates once registered would be likely 
 to practise general surgery under the shadow of such a 
 privilege was akin to that which a little time before 
 found expression in the notion that if admitted to a 
 connection with the College of Surgeons, by examina- 
 tions for the licentiateship degree, the holders of it would 
 assume themselves to be equal with general practi- 
 tioners. Such fears were alike fallacious and absurd. 
 It needed not Mr. Harrison's letter to prove that den- 
 tists had in their own clearly defined practice more than 
 enough to fully absorb all their time and attention. 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 209 
 
 While there have been and still are instances, enoiioii 
 and to sj^are, of surgeons dabbling in dentistry, it would 
 be difficult to produce a single case of a fully-qualified 
 dentist acting the part of a medical man. There was, 
 perhaps, at this time too much desire on the part of the 
 dental practitioners to push their position, while on the 
 other side, viz., that of the medical profession, there was 
 not lackinc^ a strong^ feelino- of mistrust as to what, and 
 how far, such action might lead. Such a condition of 
 things was by no means unnatural, and it needed a 
 considerable amount of tuition to convince the more 
 zealous dentists of the undesirability of precipitating 
 matters too hastily. Time would have to elapse before 
 the important advantages which had been gained by the 
 dental body would be heard of and appreciated by the 
 general public, or cordially acknowledged by the medical 
 profession at large. In one direction it was legitimate 
 to look for recognition — that was in the appointment 
 of dental officers to the general hospitals, as vacancies 
 occurred. To this the editor of the " British Journal of 
 Dental Science" properly called attention. Towards 
 the close of this year the subject of extending the term 
 of grace by the Eoyal College of Surgeons in connection 
 with the licentiateship degree was mooted. The idea of 
 opening the college doors again to those members of 
 the dental profession who, when the original time had 
 elapsed, were still without the degree, was pretty general. 
 It was certain that there yet remained many practitioners 
 who, from their acknowledged position and acquirements, 
 ought to have had their names enrolled on the list of 
 licentiates, but had not done so. There were reasons 
 strong enough in the minds of such for their abstention 
 liitherto, and those reasons were adduced and discussed. 
 It was, nevertheless, e^ddent that the number of properly- 
 certified men should be increased as much as possible. 
 T'he advocacy of their cause was commenced in the 
 " British Journal of Dental Science," and espoused par- 
 
2IO DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 ticiilarly by Mr. Vasey, who has on all occasions shown 
 a warm and liberal feeling towards all honourable 
 dental practitioners. In a letter to the Journal Mr. 
 Yasey said, " My own opinion is, that any respectable 
 member of the profession who was of age and in prac- 
 tice at the time the charter was obtained, should have 
 the privilege of offering himself for examination at any 
 time without going through the curriculum. Examples 
 in favour of this could be easily given. I cannot but 
 think that the council of the college, if memorialised, 
 would grant the privilege. If those gentlemen inte- 
 rested in gaining such privilege for the profession will 
 forward their names and addresses, I shall willingly 
 undertake to have a memorial properly presented, pro- 
 vided the signatures obtained are sufiiciently numerous 
 to warrant our soliciting the attention of the council." 
 There were opponents to this scheme, of course. With 
 much reason it was said, that those who had shown so 
 much langour and indifference to the progress of the 
 profession as to neglect the opportunity when offered to 
 them, ought not thus easily to reap the advantages 
 which others had won after so much patient sowing and 
 unwearied exertion. There were certainly two aspects 
 of the question, and the result of its promulgation will 
 be seen further on. 
 
 During this year the death of Mr. Samuel Cartwright, 
 F.E.S., occurred, and although for some time entirely 
 retired from practice, the news of his decease was re- 
 ceived with pain by the profession at large. He had 
 been one of its brightest ornaments, and in himself 
 had exemplified to what a pinnacle of prosperity large 
 gifts and high qualities, when properly and steadily 
 employed, could raise the possessor. 
 
 Early m the year 1865 an important step was taken 
 in the direction of presenting a memorial from the 
 licentiates in dental surgery to the council of Medical 
 Education and Eegistration, with a view to obtaining 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 211 
 
 the pmoLege of enrolment on the register. This instru- 
 ment contained so full and explicit a statement of the 
 facts concerning the position and claims of the licen- 
 tiates that it is here given in full. It was signed fir^st 
 by the three (then) examiners on the dental board — Mr. 
 Thomas Bell, Mr. J. Tomes, and Mr. Cartwright, which 
 signatures were followed by twenty-five other licen- 
 tiates, who were also members or otherwise connected 
 with the College of Surgeons. 
 
 " To the General Council of Medical Education and 
 Registratian of the United Kingdom. 
 
 "We, the undersigned Licentiates of Dental Surgery 
 of the Eoyal College of Surgeons of England (a degree 
 founded hj the college on section 48 of the present 
 Medical Act), although entitled to register under that 
 Act in virtue of our other professional qualifications, 
 considering it to be desirable, and believing it to be 
 only just, that those persons who have taken this degree 
 should be allowed the privilege of registering as ' Licen- 
 tiates in Dental Surgery,' under the proposed amended 
 Medical Act, beg respectfully to bring this our view of 
 the subject under the consideration of your honourable 
 board. AYe are aware that the following objections 
 have been raised to this pri^dlege being allowed to the 
 possessors of this degree — First, that if the privilege 
 were granted to persons who have taken this degree 
 only, they would, under the 34th clause of the present 
 Medical Act, be considered in law as 'duly qualified 
 practitioners,' and might, if so disposed, practise legally 
 any or all branches of the medical profession without 
 having received a full medical education, and thereby 
 interfere with the interests of the fully-qualified medi- 
 cal man. Second, that to grant this privilege to them 
 would be to infringe upon and injure the existing rights 
 of those persons at present practising dental surgery 
 
212 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 wlio do not possess this degree, by giving the new Act 
 a retrospective character. And third, that it is open to 
 those persons practising dental surgery, who clesii^e to 
 possess the privilege of registering nnder any Medical 
 Act, to take the degree of ' Member ' of the College of 
 Surgeons, as well as that of ' Licentiate in Dental Sur- 
 gery,' and to register under the former title. 
 
 " To the first of these objections we respectfully sub- 
 mit, that the very slight additions we have suggested 
 to the wording of the 31st and 34th clauses of the pre- 
 sent Medical Act would, if adopted, make it clear, 
 beyond the possibility of a doubt, that the possessors of 
 this degree only, if registered as ' Licentiates in Dental 
 Surgery,' could not legally practise any other branch of 
 medicine or surgery ; and, therefore, that the incorpora- 
 tion of these, or similar words, into any amended Medi- 
 cal Act, w^ould fully meet and do away with this objec- 
 tion. To the second objection we also respectfully 
 submit, that the few words proposed to be added to 
 clause 5 5 of the present Medical Act mmj)lcUly 'proUd 
 all the existing rights of those persons at present prac- 
 tising dental surgery who do not possess this degree, as 
 also the prospective rights of those at present preparing 
 to practise dental surgery who have it in their power to 
 take this degree, and so meet and do away with this 
 objection. And to the third objection we respectfully 
 submit — First, that the argument on which it rests is 
 founded upon an imperfect knowledge of the amount 
 of ' special study ' required to form the duly-qualified 
 dental surgeon, as we think wiU be apparent to your 
 honourable board by a reference to the accompanying 
 curriculum of education required by the College of 
 Surgeons for the degree of Licentiate in Dental Surger}\ 
 Next, that to expect the full course of education re- 
 quired for the ' Membership ' of the college to be added 
 by the dental surgeon to the curriculum required for 
 his special diploma, in order to give him the power of 
 registering under such Act, would be to exact a more 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 213 
 
 extended and more expensive professional education, 
 both in respect to time and money, from the dental than 
 from the general surgeon — a requirement which we 
 respectfully submit would be both unnecessary and 
 unjust. And, lastly, that to be registered as a ' Fellow ' 
 or ' Member ' of the college only, does not, in itself, 
 afford any proof that persons so registered are duly 
 quahfied to practise the specialty of dental surgery, as 
 we think will also be apparent to your honourable 
 board after referring; to the curriculum above named. 
 Entertaining these views, we think it right to bring 
 them under the attention of your honourable board, and 
 we pray that you will take them into your favourable 
 consideration." 
 
 At a meeting of the board, held at the Eoyal College 
 of Physicians April 7th, this memorial was introduced 
 by Dr. Storrar in a temperate speech, which he con- 
 cluded by submitting the following motion, namely — 
 " That the memorial of the Licentiates in Dental Sur- 
 gery of the Eoyal College of Surgeons be referred to 
 the committee on the amendment of the Medical 
 Acts." The motion was duly seconded by Mr. Har- 
 grave, then discussed, and finally carried. At a subse- 
 quent meeting of the board, held April 13th, Dr. Andrew 
 Wood objected to the petition of the memorialists, prin- 
 cipally on the ground that all persons on the register 
 should be fully qualified, and that the introduction of 
 specialists would create confusion in the public mind, 
 and be a serious blot on the Medical Act. He ad\'ised 
 that the Licentiates in Dental Surgery should apply 
 for an Act of Parliament for themselves, and keep 
 a separate register. It was evident, from the con- 
 sideration of the subject by the amendment com- 
 mittee and the board itself, that the prayer of the 
 memorialists could not be assented to. This, indeed, 
 was the result. A correspondence ensued in the 
 columns of the " Lancet," the editor of which journal, 
 however, was favourable to a dental register being 
 
214 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 
 
 added to tlie medical register, ttLOUgh distinct from it. 
 A hastily summoned meeting of dental licentiates was 
 convened on the 24th of April, and presided over by Mr. 
 Harrison, when the position of affairs was discussed, the 
 resolution of which was, that it was undesirable to press 
 the matter further at present, the meeting agreeing to 
 content themselves with endeavouring to obtain the in- 
 troduction of a clause into the new Medical Bill exempt- 
 ing licentiates in dental surgery from serving on juries, 
 &c. A standing committee was then chosen, consisting 
 of Messrs. Harrison, Cartwright, Tomes, Underwood, 
 Eymer, and T. Rogers, whose duty it would be to take 
 such action as was deemed advisable by them for 
 obtaining the above- stated privileges. It must be 
 acknowledged that there were reasonable difficulties in 
 the way of licentiates registering, however much the 
 possessors of that degree felt the justice of their claims. 
 As professional men they could not but experience an- 
 noyance at their liability at any time to be called from 
 their practices, perhaps in the height of the season, to 
 attend for days in succession at the courts of law. The 
 friends of education and advance were destined to 
 meet with checks and obstacles more or less irritating. 
 One of these was manifested in the fact that no place 
 was found for a list of the gentlemen who had taken 
 the new degree in the " Medical Directory." From what- 
 ever circumstance this arose, it produced in the minds 
 of many the feeling that, wherever and whenever pos- 
 sible, they would be made to realise their inferiority to 
 full members of the College of Surgeons. The mistake, 
 however, was not allowed to remain long unrectified. 
 The author undertook to compile and publish a " Dental 
 Licentiates' Directory and Local List." This was speedily 
 done, and certainly answered the end in view, as, since 
 then, an alphabetical list of their names has regularly ap- 
 peared in the " Medical Directory." To revert to the pro- 
 posal made by the editor of the "British Journal of 
 Dental Science," in connection with Mr. Vasey, that the 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 21$ 
 
 College of Surgeons' portals slioiild be again opened, under 
 circumstances already detailed, it was somewhat dispirit- 
 ing to find that those for whose especial benefit the idea 
 had been ventilated responded but very languidly to it. 
 Like other matters, it appeared to require time. 
 
 The consolidation of the profession and its general ad- 
 vance were evident facts, however. The Odontological 
 Society continued its useful scientific career and in- 
 creased its list of members steadily. The number of 
 practitioners holding the licentiate's degree was nearly 
 three hundred, while the Metropolitan Dental Hospitals, 
 as well as the dispensaries and similar institutions in 
 the provinces, were producing good fruits as the reward 
 of those disinterestedly connected and working in and 
 with them. The following year, 1866, was one of com- 
 parative quietude. The introduction by Dr. Eichard- 
 son of his new method of producing local anaesthesia 
 by means of the ether spray created much interest in 
 the profession. The proposed alteration of the Odon- 
 tological Society's bye-laws caused some amount of 
 disturbance among its members ; and Mr. Waite's 
 proposal to form provincial branches of the above 
 Society met with an apparently general approval. 
 The characteristics of the year 1867 were not either 
 stirring or numerous. Its principal features were the 
 animated discussion that arose from the resolution of 
 the Odontological Society to adopt the title of " Fellow ; " 
 the inauguration of the Odonto-Chirurgical Society of 
 Edinburgh, of which an account is given in another part 
 of this work ; the very pleasant chcumstance of the pre- 
 sentation of a testimonial to Mr. Arnold Eo^icers ; and 
 finally, the creation of a " defence fund " on behalf of Mr. 
 Statham, a dental practitioner who had to answer in a 
 court of law to a gross charge of having forcibly ex- 
 tracted several teeth from a patient's mouth against that 
 individual's consent while under the influence of chloro - 
 form. The action against Mr. Statham ignobly failed; 
 and in order to indemnify him in the matter of costs (some 
 
2l6 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 £706), liis professional bretkren, together with many 
 and influential medical men, subscribed to this fund. 
 The circumstance is worthy of notice, not only on the 
 ground of the evidence it manifested of the principle of 
 combination — once, and not long ago, a thing altogether 
 impossible among dentists — but also as the proof of 
 the amicable spirit of the medical profession towards 
 dental practitioners. 
 
 The importance of such an institution as the Dental 
 Hospital of London was proved by the fact that, on the 
 occasion of the annual general meeting of the gover- 
 nors of the Charity in January of the year 1868, the 
 medical committee's report stated that no less a num- 
 ber than 17,300 operations had been performed during 
 the past year. The increase in the number of students 
 attending was marked, and in such progress that the 
 friends of reform and education found ample material 
 for encouragement. The National Dental Hospital, too, 
 was doing its part both as a Metropolitan Charity and 
 a school for the instruction of dentists. Nitrous oxide 
 as an ansesthetic was introduced to the notice of the 
 profession in the early part of this year. Its resuscita- 
 tion — Sir Humphrey Davy having more than half a cen- 
 tury previously proclaimed its merits as an agent for 
 obtunding sensibility — was due to Mr. Horace Wells, 
 of America, that gentleman having proved its specific 
 action in 1844. Dr. Colton, in 1863, brought it pro- 
 minently before his professional brethren; it was sub- 
 sequently taken up by Dr. Evans, of Paris, who added 
 some improvements to the apparatus necessary to its 
 exhibition, and then came to England, generously giving 
 a handsome sum to be applied in further investigating 
 its merits under the supervision of the anaesthetists 
 to the Dental Hospital of London, Messrs. Potter and 
 Clover. A committee of investigation was appointed 
 by the Odontological Society, and thus a full and fair 
 opportunity was given for ascertaining to what extent 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 21 y 
 
 it coTild be admitted to the re^pertoire of the dentist in 
 this country. 
 
 The year 1869 was a qniet season in the profession. 
 The important investigation of the merits of protoxide 
 of nitrogen , as an anaesthetic Tvas proceeding under the 
 auspices of a select committee, appointed for that pur- 
 pose, in connection with the Dental Hospital of London 
 and the Odontological Society. 
 
 In due time the preliminary report was given, and 
 printed in the " Transactions" of the Odontological 
 Society, as follows : — - 
 
 "Your committee, in proceeding to carry out the 
 inquiry intrusted to them, were of opinion that the 
 subject presented itself for consideration under the fol- 
 lowing heads : — 
 
 "I. To ascertain how far this ao;ent was an efficient 
 anaesthetic. 
 
 " 2. If so, whether it was as safe, or a safer anaesthe- 
 tic than those in general use. 
 
 "3. What were its special advantages and disadvan- 
 tages as compared with other ansesthetics. 
 
 " 4. To ascertain, if possible, how far it produced its 
 anaesthetic effect, with a view to debase the best proba- 
 ble remedy, or remedies, for any alarming or dangerous 
 symptoms that might arise during its exhibition. 
 
 "5. To ascertain the best, most convenient, and 
 cheapest method of procuring the gas in a pure state. 
 
 " 6. The safest and most convenient method of ad- 
 ministering the gas. 
 
 " 7. "Whether there were any special conditions of the 
 system, any given age, &c., which would contra-indi- 
 cate its use ; and, 
 
 " Lastly, To collect and tabulate as many cases and 
 facts as possible, so as to arrive at as full conclusions 
 on these various points as could be arrived at "^athin 
 the time allotted to themselves, before making their 
 first report. 
 
 " Pursuing this plan as fully as circumstances per- 
 
2l8 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 mitted, your committee first instituted a number of 
 experiments on the lower animals (including dogs, cats, 
 rabbits, guinea-pigs, mice, and birds), from which they 
 at once ascertained — 
 
 " I. That the pure gas, so administered as to preclude 
 the inhaling of any atmospheric air with it, was a power- 
 ful anaesthetic, more rapid in its action, although more 
 evanescent in its effects, than chloroform and the other 
 ansesthetics then in general use ; 
 
 " 2. That if its administration were pushed beyond a 
 certain point, it was capable of producing death ; but, 
 
 " 3. That even when death appeared most imminent 
 from its use, allowing the animal to breathe fresh air, 
 in most cases, brought it rapidly round. 
 
 " With this information, obtained from their experi- 
 ments on the lower animals, your committee proceeded 
 to avail themselves, cautiously, of the opportunities 
 afforded them at the Dental Hospital of London and 
 other hospitals, and of such opportunities as they re- 
 spectively had in private practice, to carry on their 
 observations of the effects of the gas, when exhibited to 
 the human being, pari passu with further experiments 
 and observations on the lower animals ; and although 
 they are not yet prepared to offer to the members of 
 the Odontological Society, and the committee of man- 
 agement of the Dental Hospital of London, definite 
 opinions as to the effect of this agent, under all the 
 heads of investigation which they have just enumerated, 
 they beg now to offer to both those bodies, in this as a 
 preliminary report, certain facts connected with the 
 exhibition of this agent (the result of their observations 
 thus far), which they think will prove interesting and 
 advantageous to the profession in a practical point of 
 view, as forming some guide for its safe exhibition, and 
 for determining the class of cases for which they think 
 it peculiarly suited. Your committee have arrived at 
 the conclusion from their various observations of the 
 effects of this gas when exhibited to the human being, 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 2ig 
 
 and especially from their experiments with it upon the 
 lower animals, that, properly administered, it is at least 
 as safe, and for short operations as efficient, an anaes- 
 thetic as any other now in use ; but that, while it pos- 
 sesses certain advantages over these other anaesthetics 
 for such operations, it labours also under certain disad- 
 vantages, when compared with them, for the longer 
 operations in surgery; and also under some other spe- 
 cial disadvantages which they subjoin. The following 
 are what they consider to be its comparative advan- 
 tages and disadvantages : — 
 
 " ADVANTAGES. 
 
 " I. The rapidity of its action in producing anaesthesia ; 
 the * average time required for this being (see Table I. 
 of this report) from 63 to 81 seconds, according to the 
 age and sex of the patient. 
 
 " 2. The rapidity with which patients recover from its 
 effects as an anaesthetic ; the time required for this 
 being, according to the same table, from 100 to 120 
 seconds.* 
 
 "3. It is more agreeable to most patients, being when 
 pure quite tasteless. 
 
 " 4. It is less irritating to the air passages ; coughing 
 or struggling for free respiration being rarely witnessed 
 after its use, except in cases of very nervous persons. 
 
 " 5. The comparative freedom from nausea and vomit- 
 ing after its use ; the average number of cases where 
 actual vomiting has occurred being under one per 
 cent. 
 
 " 6. The absence, as a general rule (after the recovery 
 of complete consciousness), of giddiness, headache, and 
 many other unpleasant effects, which are well known 
 to follow the use of chloroform, and other anaesthetics. 
 
 * Patients generally recover so completely, as well as quickly, 
 as to be able to walk, speak correctly, and write with a steady 
 hand within four minutes from the commencement of the 
 inhalation. 
 
320 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 
 
 " DISADVANTAGES. 
 
 " I . Its iinsiiitableness for long operations, owing to the 
 shortness of its anaesthetic effects. 
 
 " 2. Its nnsuitableness (or, at any rate, ineligibility) 
 for operations followed by much smarting and pain, for 
 the same reason. 
 
 " 3. Where very delicate operations have to be per- 
 formed, the inconvenience to the operator from the 
 mnsciilar twitchings which often occur from its use. 
 
 " 4. It is more troublesome to administer, and requires 
 more complicated and cumbrous apparatus for that pur- 
 pose than other ansesthetics do. 
 
 "5. It is more inconvenient and troublesome to trans- 
 port than the other anaesthetics in use. 
 
 " 6. It is more expensive, and more difficult to procure 
 in a pure and efficient state for use at all times, if 
 wanted on an emergency.* 
 
 " The grounds on which your committee have arrived 
 at these conclusions, so far as regards the efiects of this 
 agent, are founded on the tabulated results of 1380 
 cases in which its administration has been carefully 
 watched and noted down by the different members, 
 both in public and private practice ; and on the tabu- 
 lated results, also, of 105 1 cases reported to them by 
 practitioners of reliable authority who have used it in 
 London and the provinces ; and they offer these opinions, 
 therefore, with considerable confidence so far as conclu- 
 sions can be arrived at from this comparatively limited 
 number of cases. With regard to the manner in which 
 this gas produces its anaesthetic effect, this is a physio- 
 logical problem on which your committee do not feel 
 themselves yet in a position to give any positive 
 opinion. But the result of their experiments on the 
 lower animals would lead them to recommend the 
 
 * The committee are of opinion that these latter objections 
 will probably be met and overcome after a short time, should this 
 agent come largely into use. 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 221 
 
 following coiKse to be adopted in case any alarming 
 symptoms should arise during its administration : — 
 
 " TREATMENT UXDEE ALARmNG SYMPTO^IS. 
 
 " 1st. The immediate withdi'O.wal of the gas, and the 
 access of fresh air. 
 
 " 2d. If this is not at once followed by respiratory 
 movements, resort to artificial respiration in the usual 
 way. 
 
 " With respect to the best method of procuring a per- 
 fectly pure gas, your committee, having had the valu- 
 able assistance of Messrs. John Bell & Co. in aiding 
 them to arrive at a conclusion on this point, would 
 recommend the foUowinc^." 
 
 (Here the committee give full and detailed instruc- 
 tions for the manufacture of the gas, and the reader is 
 referred to the Odontological Society's transactions, in 
 loco, for the same, as also for the mode of administra- 
 tion, which likewise engaged their attention, and is 
 alluded to in the concluding part of their next observa- 
 tions.) 
 
 " With regard to the best apparatus for administer- 
 ing the gas, your committee feel that there will be, as 
 there now is,, a difference of opinion on this point ; but 
 after having seen several tried, would recommend that 
 introduced by Mr. Clover, which is a slight modification 
 of his well-known apparatus for admhiistering chloro- 
 form. Whatever may be the apparatus used, however, 
 they beg to impress upon the administrator that it is 
 absolutely necessar}^, for the production of the perfect 
 anaesthetic effect of the gas, that it should be so con- 
 structed as entirely to prevent the inhalation of any 
 atmospheric au' during its administration. With respect 
 to the best and safest mode of exhibiting this gas — the 
 apparatus being chosen — -your committee would recom- 
 mend the following plan (some parts of the directions 
 in which, it will be observed, apply particularly to ]Mj:* 
 
222 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 
 
 Clover's apparatus) ; and tliey would especially draw 
 the attention of the profession to the symptoms to be 
 expected during its administration — to be watched — 
 and, when alarming, to be guarded against — which are 
 therein enumerated." 
 (Here follow the committee's instructions on this head.) 
 " As regards the question, ' Whether there are any 
 special conditions of the system, any given age, tem- 
 perament, constitutional derangement, &c., which 
 contra-indicate the use of this gas,' your committee 
 have to state that, so far as their present experience 
 goes, they have met with nothing to absolutely contra- 
 indicate its use — having administered it to both sexes, 
 at all ages, from one to sixty-six years, to patients of 
 all temperaments, to women in different stages of preg- 
 nancy and suckling, to persons acknowledged to be the 
 subjects of asthma, e]oilepsy, &c., and to persons labour- 
 ing under many other constitutional derangements, 
 without any ill effects following ; but they would, 
 nevertheless, recommend great caution in its adminis- 
 tration to persons suffering, or presumed to be suffering, 
 from organic diseases of the brain, heart, arteries, lungs, 
 &c,, and to persons of very plethoric habit and short 
 neck, such as would be considered especially likely to 
 be injured by venous congestion about the head, even 
 where no organic disease was supposed to exist. They 
 throw out this precautionary advice, not because they 
 have as yet seen any untoward symptoms arise in such 
 cases (although they have exhibited the gas in several 
 such), but because they are of opinion that it would be 
 in such cases, if in any, that untoward symptoms would 
 be likely to arise from its exhibition. Lastly, with 
 reference to the various heads under which your com- 
 mittee have considered this subject, they would direct 
 the attention of the society to the following tabulated 
 results of their combined observations, as being inter- 
 esting in themselves, and of some practical importance 
 in guiding the profession in the administration of this gas. 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 Table I. 
 
 223 
 
 Average Time required to produce 
 Anaesthesia. 
 
 Average Duration 
 of Anaesthesia. 
 
 Average Time from 
 
 commencement of 
 
 administration to 
 
 recovery. 
 
 Males . .81 Seconds. 
 Females . -76 ,, 
 Children of 15 "J 
 
 years and >• 63 ,, 
 
 under . ) 
 
 24 Seconds. 
 28 „ 
 
 22 
 
 115 Seconds. 
 120 
 
 100 
 
 1 
 
 " From this table it will be seen that children are the 
 most readily affected by the gas, that they remain for 
 the shortest time under its influence, and that they 
 recover the most quickly from its effects ; whilst 
 females, although more quickly influenced than men, 
 remain longer in a state of aucesthesia, and take more 
 time to recover from the effects of the gas. The time 
 required for producing ansesthesia, its duration, and the 
 time required for recovery, in each class of cases, on an 
 average, will also at once be seen from it. 
 
 Table 11. 
 
 Ages of the Patients to whom the gas vras 
 administered. 
 
 Males. 
 
 1 
 Females. 
 
 Under 10 years of age 
 Between 10 and 20 
 
 20 ,,30 . . 
 
 30 ,,40 . . 
 
 40 ,,50 . . 
 „ 50 „ 60 . . 
 
 60 ,,70 . . 
 
 
 4 
 
 124 
 
 144 
 
 47 
 
 17 
 
 4 
 
 2 
 
 10 
 
 169 
 225 
 
 48 
 
 17 
 
 2 
 
 I 
 
 Males 
 Females 
 
 342 
 472 
 
 Total . . . . 814 
 
 Being the number, sexes, and ages, of the cases from 
 which Table I. is formed. 
 
224 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 " In drawing up this report, your committee have 
 purposely avoided, thus far, making special reference 
 to the very large number of cases stated to have been 
 treated under the action of this gas in America (now 
 said to amount to upwards of 200,000), with the occur- 
 rence of but one death, and that in a patient who was 
 suffering from extensive disease of both lungs ; and they 
 have also purposely avoided referring to a large number 
 of cases which have been treated under its action on the 
 continent of Europe. This was because they had no 
 s'pedal data connected with these cases on which they 
 could form particular calculations, or from which they 
 could draw special inference or inferences ; unless it 
 were one — but that an important one — viz., that this 
 gas must, with this large mass of evidence in its favour, 
 be regarded as a very safe ansesthetic. 
 
 "They cannot, however, close their report without 
 drawing the attention of the profession to the very 
 favourable statements regarding its efficiency and safety 
 as an anaesthetic which have been received from both 
 these sources. Your committee think it right, also, to 
 record here their great and special obligations to Dr. 
 G. Q. Colton, of New York (to whom is due the merit 
 of having reintroduced this gas into use in America, 
 and who must undoubtedly be considered to have had 
 the largest experience of its use of any man living), for 
 much valuable information communicated to them by 
 him during two visits he paid to London last summer, 
 when on both occasions he administered this gas fre- 
 quently at the Dental Hospital of London, and freely 
 and willingly communicated to your committee and the 
 medical officers of that institution the results of his large 
 experience of its use. In conclusion, your committee 
 beg to state that they have added, as an appendix to 
 this report, the result of their observations in certain 
 peculiar cases in which this agent has been adminis- 
 tered, and also of peculiar effects produced by it in 
 other cases (put together without any special arrange- 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 225 
 
 ment), considering that these details would prove both 
 interesting and instructive to the profession at large ; 
 and they venture to express their hope that, in bringing 
 the results of their experiments and observations on 
 this subject, thus far, before the members of the Odonto- 
 logical Society and the committee of management of the 
 Dental Hospital of London in the manner they have 
 now done, they will be considered to have laid before 
 both these bodies some valuable as well as interesting 
 information, wliich will meet the requirements of the 
 profession pending the prosecution of further experi- 
 ments and observations which they purpose making on 
 this subject, and hope to lay before them at some future 
 time. 
 
 (Signed) " W. A. Haeeisox, Chairman" 
 
 Considering the important position which protoxide 
 of nitrogen has subsequently taken in connection with 
 the operative department of dental surgery, too much 
 stress cannot well be laid upon the benefits which this 
 committee conferred upon the entire profession by their 
 careful investigation of the whole subject. It was 
 especially to be commended that the Odontological 
 Society, acting in concert with the Dental Hospital of 
 London throuoh the managing; committee of that insti- 
 tution, determined to accept this new agent only after 
 careful and comprehensive investigation by gentlemen 
 on whom the most complete reliance could be placed, 
 as members of the dental profession in this country. 
 To have data of then- own on which they could form 
 an independent judgment was clearly a step in the 
 right direction. The very flattering accounts which had 
 been received from America and elsewhere they were 
 happy to accept ; but it was deemed far more expedient 
 to make full trial of the gas under a select committee of 
 their own members, ere they endorsed unreservedly all 
 the statements which had been made by others in its 
 favour. The result, so far as the committee had then 
 
 p 
 
226 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 
 
 gone, was of the most assuring character, and certainly 
 prepared the profession generally for its free adoption. 
 It was, in fact, a distinct step in advance, and contri- 
 buted plainly to professional progress. The thanks of 
 all are due to those gentlemen who, under Mr. Harri- 
 son's leadership, devoted so much time and attention to 
 the subject placed before them. The knowledge thus 
 obtained concerning the gas produced the disposition on 
 the part of many to further investigate it, and improve 
 if possible the apparatus for its exhibition. The apathy 
 of the undiplomaed practitioners in the matter of peti- 
 tioning to have the Eoyal College of Surgeons opened 
 to them was very significant. Mr. Fox, as the editor of 
 the " British Journal of Dental Science," alluded to it 
 again and again, but nothing seemed to stir these gentle- 
 men to action. Mr. Fox, in the journal for May 1870, 
 addressed a leading article directly to the interested 
 parties, offering a donation towards a general expense 
 fund on proper and fully-stated conditions, concluding 
 with the following proposition : — " Let us, then, have 
 sent to us first of all the names of a sufficient number 
 of gentlemen who will at the same time promise, as our 
 correspondents have done, to subscribe a certain sum 
 each. From among these a small committee should be 
 appointed. To this end we would suggest the following 
 plan : as soon as not less than fifty gentlemen have sent 
 us their names as willing to co-operate in this movement, 
 we will publish the list, and we will then ask each of 
 these gentlemen to send us privately the names of 
 seven gentlemen whom they would vote for to act as a 
 committee, with power to add to their numbers. On 
 receipt of these votes we will — if our friends see fit to 
 allow us to take upon ourselves these preliminary steps 
 — make it our business to obtain the permission of the 
 seven gentlemen who have most votes to publish their 
 names as ' The Committee! Failing the consent of any 
 of them, we should substitute the names of those who 
 stood next in point of number of votes. The duties of 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 22/ 
 
 tliis committee will be clear and simple : tliey must first 
 appoint some gentleman as treasurer, well known in the 
 profession; then draw up a memorial to the Eoyal 
 College of Surgeons of England; compile a carefully- 
 revised list of every dentist in the United Kiogdom — 
 and to this end we can offer them material assistance, 
 having been for some time preparing such a list ; for- 
 ward a copy of the memorial, with a circular requesting 
 his signature to it, to every respectable practitioner, and 
 take measures for its proper presentation and support." 
 This plan was feasible enough, and was one of the 
 many evidences of the desire Mr. Fox has often dis- 
 played to help, in his measure, his brother practitioners. 
 This called forth some correspondence in the journal, 
 and secured some contributors. The idea of "registra- 
 tion" appeared to be the paramount measure in the 
 minds of some ; but the expectation of its accomplish- 
 ment could not be seriously entertained while the num- 
 ber of licentiates was no greater than it was at that 
 tune; and the difficulty of names being obtained, 
 whereby it might be hoped to be augmented, was pain- 
 fully en evidence — to say nothiiig of the opposition it 
 was so likely to receive at the hands of the medical 
 profession. The only grain of hope which could be 
 imparted was given in a letter from Mr. Harrison, who, 
 as chairman of the Committee of observation, as it 
 might be called, stated that the committee had placed 
 itself in communication with the promoter of the 
 Amended Medical Act Bill, Lord de Grey and Eipon, 
 and that from the reception his Lordship had given to 
 the views set forth in the committee's plans, there was 
 every prospect of the interests of the dental profession 
 being secured in the proposed alterations under the new 
 Act. In the direction of investigation, especially with 
 regard to nitrous oxide gas, the profession was not idle. A 
 carefully-prepared statement of the process and results 
 of its use in a certain number of cases of extraction was 
 issued by Mr. M. Harding, then dental house-surgeon to 
 
228 DENTAL 'REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 
 
 the Dental Hospital of London. It was a matter of 
 surprise to many at this time that Dr. Eichardson 
 should inveigh against this ne^^" agent in all but un- 
 measured terms. This, however, was the case. In an 
 article which that gentleman wrote for the " Popular 
 Science Eeview," he stated that " although it produces 
 insensibility, it causes at the same time darkening of 
 the arterial blood, painful, rapid breathing, a counte- 
 nance terrible to behold, and imminent approach to 
 death."* In the meantime this eminent investigator 
 had discovered " methylic ether," a paper on which he 
 read in the month of March before the Medical Society 
 of London. It was evident that, if not absorbed in 
 politics, the dental profession woukl have no cause to 
 be idle in matters which touched its interests in the 
 closest manner. In order that the nitrous oxide gas 
 should be fully tested, Mr. Fox suggested in his journal 
 the formation of a special fund to meet the expenses 
 consequent upon 'its frequent use. This was vol a mea- 
 sure responded to, several gentlemen contributing to 
 the fund. Althoufrh Mr. Fox had been unremittino- in 
 his exertions to press forward "the dental diploma 
 question," and had published a pamphlet on the subject, 
 it was not until the month of September in this year 
 that he was able to print the list of the supporters of 
 this movement, together with their subscriptions, these 
 latter amounting to the sum of ;^85, odd. In the mean- 
 time, however, the " Lancet " had advocated the cause, 
 and this afforded no small encouraoement. In the 
 foUowinfT month the announcement was made that a 
 committee had been chosen, consisting of Mr. James 
 Parkinson as treasurer, Mr. Oakley Coles, honorary secre- 
 tary, with ]\Ir. E. Sercombe as chairman, acting in 
 concert with Messrs. S. L. Pymer, Joseph Steele, J. 
 Dennant, J. Haslam, W. J. Newman, and J. Scully. 
 The object of this committee was, as stated in the 
 " British Journal of Dental Science," " to place the pro- 
 * British Journal of Dental Science, voL xiiL p. 239. 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 22() 
 
 fession in the same relation to the Eoyal College of 
 Surgeons that it held in the year 1863, with regard to 
 those whose professional education commenced prior to 
 September 1859." Added to this/ however, was the 
 compilation of a Dental Directory, to effect which the 
 committee had asked the services of Messrs. Greo'son, 
 Kempton, and Fox. Ten years had now elapsed since 
 the first granting of the Dental Licentiate's degree, and 
 it was satisfactory to find that at the close of 1 870 three 
 hundred practitioners had passed the ordeal of exami- . 
 nation at Lincoln's Inn Fields. The profession itself 
 was in steady progress, unmarred by bickerings and 
 strife. The various institutions in the metropolis and 
 the provinces alike seemed to have settled down to real, 
 persistent work. The Odontological Society was grow- 
 ing in numbers and usefulness, its " Transactions " being 
 first carefully compiled, then excellently printed and 
 published for the information of those who were inte- 
 rested in the scientific aspect of their profession. Mr. 
 Joseph Fletcher bestowed much time in the preparation 
 of these " Transactions " for the press, and the result of 
 his labours was seen in yearly volumes whose appear- 
 ance, as well as contents, did credit to him and the 
 society with which he was connected. 
 
 Bichloride of methylene was to receive attention as an 
 ansesthetic, its merits being tested by the side of methylic 
 ether and nitrous oxide. The subject formed material 
 for T\Titers such as Messrs. J. A. Salter, Spence Bate, 
 A. Coleman, H. L. Jacob ; while Messrs. Clover and 
 Braine — authorities of eminence in anaesthetics gene- 
 rally — did not withhold their testimony. These two 
 gentlemen advocated the use of gas, as preferable to 
 other similar agents, in the operation of tooth extrac- 
 tion. Mr. Clover indeed said, as the result of his expe- 
 rience up to that time, that he considered in 98 per 
 cent, of cases of tooth extraction nitrous oxide was the 
 most suitable. This was after havino; administered the 
 gas to no less than 3014 cases. Mr. Braine's experi- 
 
230 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 ence led liim to differ from Dr. Eicliardson, Mr. Salter, 
 Mr. Eendle, Mr. Spence Bate, and others. His testi- 
 mony was in favour of the gas, and both at the Odonto- 
 logical Society, and through the medium of the medical 
 press, he very plainly stated his preference, and gave 
 forcible reasons for it. During the year 1871 the con- 
 troversy in the matter of aneesthetics was the most 
 noticeable feature of the day. It was pleasant to 
 observe that men were not satisfied with the dictum of 
 some one else, but resorted to experiments and tests 
 themselves. "While there were leading men to whom 
 the uninitiated would of course look, and to whose 
 opinion they would unhesitatingly bow, nevertheless 
 many determined to learn by the safer, if some- 
 times mortifying method of failure, which agent they 
 personally could employ with the greatest amount 
 of benefit to their patients. Yerily art and science 
 flourish in times of peace, and when such a year as 
 this is compared with a period of convulsion and 
 war, such as the profession had known not very 
 long before, the satisfaction in contemplating the hap- 
 pily-changed circumstances was extreme. When men 
 lay aside the sword for the pen, and squabbling egotism 
 for general edification, the benefit is simply incalcu- 
 lable. To take up the records of this year and quietly 
 to peruse them, }delds ample encouragement to every 
 wellwisher of the dental profession. The laboratory 
 appeared to be in active operation, from what was 
 stated orally, or by means of the journal ; the surgery 
 was the centre for continued and vi^'ilant observation 
 of dental affections, their cause and cure. Chemistry 
 was being unfolded and developed by keen eyes and 
 careful hands, and made to minister to the necessities 
 of humanity, when most urgent ; while instruction at 
 the hospitals and schools was being imparted and re- 
 ceived, and the general advance in education and pro- 
 fessional acquirements secured through the various 
 agencies, which, in themselves, fm-nished the best and 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 23 1 
 
 most available assurance of improvement. The proces3 
 by wtdcli it was hoped that the list of licentiates should 
 be augmented was at work, the committee appointed 
 for the purpose meeting and diligently transacting the 
 necessary business, hoping to be able to compile a per- 
 fect list of every class of dental practitioners, so that 
 the true condition of the profession might be ascer- 
 tained. That the interest attaching to this object, 
 which had for its ulterior result the opening of the 
 college doors again, had been aroused was certain, and 
 the proof of that lay in the fact that £io6 were then 
 in the hands of Mr. Parkinson, the treasurer. The 
 Dental Hospital of London had been working in so 
 thorouglily efficient a manner that its exchequer suf- 
 fered, and to an extent that made it necessary to take 
 means for its replenishment. To this end a public 
 dinner was organised, and eventuated in some ;^50o 
 being subscribed, and this was done amongst the freest 
 acknowledgments of the usefulness of the institution 
 both as a charity and school of instruction. In me- 
 chanical dentistry the profession received an addition 
 under the name of " cellidoid base," a composition of 
 solid collodion, and proposed to be fitted to the model 
 by means of pressure, after having been subjected to 
 the action of oil heated to a temperature of 300 degrees. 
 This preparation promised to revolutionise the profes- 
 sion, and it was supposed would supersede vulcanite. 
 The idea was of American origin. In alluding to Ame- 
 rica, it must not be omitted that this year a recognition 
 of the claims that the late Mr. Horace Wells had upon 
 the medical and dental professions, by his introduction 
 of the valuable anaesthetic, nitrous oxide, was thought 
 proper. The idea originated with Mr. Fox, who had 
 had an interview with Dr. Colton, when that o-entleman 
 was in this country, and from whom he learned that 
 the circumstances of the widow loudly called for ame- 
 lioration. Accordingly an influential meeting assem- 
 bled at the house of Mr. Clover, F.E.C.S., to consider 
 
232 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 wliat it would be desirable to do in order to express 
 sympathy with the family of the late gentleman. Mr. 
 Clover presided. The meeting may be thus sum- 
 marised. Mr. Erichsen eloquently advocated the cause 
 of Mrs. Horace Wells, and moved the following resolu- 
 tion, which was seconded by Mr. Woodhouse Braine, 
 and carried unanimously, viz. : — " That in the opinion 
 of this meeting it is desirable that subscriptions should 
 be raised for the widow of the late Horace Wells of 
 Hailford, Connecticut, United States, in consideration 
 of the services rendered to humanity by her late hus- 
 band in the realisation of the idea of Sir Humphrey 
 Davy, and consequent introduction of nitrous oxide as 
 an anaesthetic." 
 
 The second resolution, which was moved by Mr. 
 W. A. Harrison, seconded by Mr. Turner, and carried 
 unanimously, was " that this meeting resolve itself into 
 a committee, with power to add to its numbers, for the 
 purpose of carrying out the first resolution." Mr. 
 Erichsen was requested to act as chairman of the com- 
 mittee, Messrs. Clover and Braine as treasurers, and 
 Messrs. Fox and Sercombe as honorary secretaries. 
 
 However much some practitioners of this country 
 have thought proper to think lightly and speak dispa- 
 ragingly of their brethren across the Atlantic, and how- 
 ever that evidence of narrow-minded partiality may 
 have been returned with interest from those on the 
 other side, it was very pleasant to notice this effort to 
 acknowledge painstaking investigation which had re- 
 sulted in a universal benefit to mankind, although the 
 searcher and practical donor of the blessing had not 
 only been unrewarded, but eclipsed by the introduction 
 of chloroform — cowed and so disheartened as to seek a 
 vain refuge in death. To see such a work of practical 
 charity in full exercise was a fitting close to the year. 
 
 Allusion has been made in this work to the feeling 
 that was manifest in the direction of obtaining the 
 privilege of admission to the museum and library, and 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 233 
 
 to the lectures delivered at the college. The opening 
 of the year 1872 was marked by the concession of these 
 things by the college authorities, a decision arrived at 
 in the closing part of the former year. The willingness 
 to accede to a reasonable request made in an appro- 
 priate manner was exemplified in the following notice : 
 — " At the ordinary meeting of the council, on the 14th 
 December, the following resolutions agreed to by the 
 board of examiners in dental surgery, on the 2d of 
 November 1871, for the consideration of the council, 
 were adopted : — 
 
 " I. That it be recommended to the council that para- 
 graph 10 of the regulations relating to the diploma in 
 dental surgery be altered, as follows : — 
 
 " 10. Of having attended at a recogiiised dental hospi- 
 tal, or in the dental department of a recognised general 
 hospital, the practice of dental surgery dm-ing the period 
 of tioo years (instead of during two luinter and two 
 summer sessions). 
 
 " II. That it be reported to the council that, in the 
 opinion of this board, it is desirable that the diploma in 
 dental surgery should bear the coUege arms, and that 
 the diploma should be so altered in form as to admit of 
 its being signed by the president of the college as well 
 as by the examiners. 
 
 " III. And that it be recommended to the council 
 that a ticket of admission to the museum, to the library, 
 and to the college lectures be presented to each candi- 
 date on his obtaining the diploma in dental surgery." 
 
 ISTot only were these alterations and consequent con- 
 cessions to be accepted thankfidly by all the students 
 seekino: to obtain the deoree of the colleg;e in their 
 specialty, but the phraseology employed was noticeable 
 and worthy of remembrance by the whole profession. 
 The degree itself, as the result of long, arduous, and 
 difficult effort by the most eminent and disinterested 
 l)ractitioners, had been subjected to a very large amount 
 of ridicule, and even contempt, by many both in the 
 
234 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 profession and outside of it too. It was asserted that, 
 after all, it was but a " certificate/' and conveyed no pri- 
 vilege to its possessor. That it was but the evidence 
 that dental surgery had become a sort of appendage to 
 general surgery, and nothing of advantage could accrue 
 to the licentiate who had become a voluntary vassal 
 of the great corporate body of Lincoln's Inn Fields. 
 Throughout this important notice, however, the degree 
 was spoken of as a "diploma,^' and a diploma only. 
 The word " certificate " does not once appear. And this, 
 doubtless, was not the result of mere chance in the 
 choice of expressions. The licentiates in dental surgery 
 had therein the direct proof that whoever might choose 
 to undervalue or misrepresent the document which 
 proved a thorough fitness to practise, the College of 
 Surgeons deliberately affixed to it a certain recognised 
 value and stamp. Whatever others might, therefore, say 
 as to the pre-eminence that full membership bestowed, 
 the council of the College of Surgeons thereby distinctly 
 admitted that this diploma was the distinguishing mark 
 of proficiency in those who held it to practise the art 
 and science of dental surgery. It did not come too 
 soon. The toil which it had demanded to secure it, as 
 well as the capacities of those who had submitted to the 
 ordeal of examination, deserved this distinct acknow- 
 ledgment of its value by those highest in authority and 
 "best capable of judging. One good result of this edict was 
 to be hoped for in its stimulating every licentiate to 
 uphold the dignity of the diploma by his unswerving 
 obedience to the canons of true professional conduct. 
 It could not be said truthfully that those who had 
 worked so indefatigably to obtain the benefits of a higher 
 status for the dental profession were slumbering, or at 
 ease, for not only were there true friends in the dental 
 body still, but friends who had influence, and gene- 
 rously used it for their fellow-practitioners' benefit. 
 The governors of the Dental Hospital, at their annual 
 general meeting in January of this year, heard the re- 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 235 
 
 port read by the excellent honorary secretary, Mr. Cole- 
 man, in which it appeared that no less a number than 
 19,702 cases had been registered during the year which 
 then terminated, out of which 1879 operations had 
 been performed by the assistance of nitrous oxide gas. 
 Beginning, as this now necessary charity had, with some 
 200 or 300 operations in its first year, 1859, the number 
 now reached most amply certified its abundant useful- 
 ness. On the occasion in question, Mr. E. Saunders, 
 who had for some time past entertained the idea, sug- 
 gested the desirability of the removal of the hospital to 
 a position in London where better light could be ob- 
 tained, and fuller scope given to its ever-busy staff. 
 He had already been seeking, and hinted that in all 
 probability had found, a better site for the charity. Mr. 
 Thomas Hyde Hills, who on that occasion acted as 
 chairman of the meeting, and has ever been a true and 
 benevolent friend to it and the dental profession, con- 
 curred in j\Ir. Saunders' views, and promised a donation 
 to the ;^2000 which would be necessary to carry out the 
 contemplated removal. The proposal very soon acquired 
 the evidences of ultimate success, and in the March fol- 
 lowing i^700 had been already subscribed. It is but 
 just that the fact should be stated of Mr. Saunders' 
 liberality in this matter. Out of the £joo thus ob- 
 tained, tliis gentleman had given the handsome sum of 
 ;^500. During the next two months £200 more had 
 been either received or promised, so that the list was 
 being rapidly augmented. Mr. Saunders worked very 
 heartily in this matter, using not only his purse but his 
 personal influence, and pen also, in order that his idea 
 misjht be carried out to a successful issue. The natural 
 result was, that subscriptions, of a less amount than 
 that contributed by a few of the wealthier members of 
 the profession, were systematically received and duly 
 announced. The managing committee of the Dental 
 Hospital of London thoroughly discussed the project, 
 and took the opinion of the medical staff upon the de- 
 
236 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 sirability of the proposed removal. The manner in 
 which the entu^e subject was presented to the medical 
 committee at first made it difficult for that body to deal 
 with it. It appeared that if an adverse vote were given 
 by the medical officers, the whole onus and responsibility 
 of failure would rest upon them. Several of their num- 
 ber, not seeing the absolute necessity of a change of 
 locality in the clear light in which Mr. Saunders and his 
 supporters had -vaewed it, resented this as an unjust con- 
 clusion. The consideration of the subject was fully 
 entered into by them, and while all claimed an equal 
 interest in and desire for the present and future pros- 
 perity of the institution to which they had been and still 
 were devoting so much of their valuable time, they also 
 maintained their undoubted right and privilege of 
 freely expressing their individual opinions on so 
 important a matter, without the alleged imputa- 
 tion of opposition. A^Hien the votes were idtimately 
 taken, it appeared that a majority of one only was 
 recorded in favour of Mr. Saunders' proposition, and but 
 for the forced retirement, through illness, of one of the 
 staff during the debate, the votes would have been 
 equal. The result of the discussion by the medical 
 staff was, of course, reported to the managing committee, 
 who, after due deliberation, determined in favour of the 
 hospital being removed. When this was known the 
 medical officers cheerfully accepted the resolution, and 
 with a unanimous feelino- resolved to work with in- 
 creased energy to make the scheme a success. They 
 all felt that, whatever their private or expressed opinions 
 might be, the locality in which the institution was 
 placed could not possibly affect their sincere desire for 
 its permanent and increasing prosperity. From the 
 report which the building committee returned to the 
 committee of management, by whom it had been ap- 
 pointed, it appeared that, taking all contingencies into 
 account, the annual rental of the new premises for 
 the first five and a half years would be some ;^ 3 70. 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 237 
 
 TMs, however, could only occur under tlie most unfav- 
 ourable circumstances. On the other hand, the Odon- 
 tological Society undertook to become tenants of the 
 Dental Hospital committee, and the building itself had, 
 in the opinion of many, very distinct if not numerous 
 advantages over the premises in Soho Square. Exten- 
 sive frontage, a north light, good ventilation, and other 
 similar benefits were enumerated. The expense at- 
 tendant upon the enterprise would be considerable, but 
 in the early part of this year, 1873, some;;ri6co had 
 already been received, and a guarantee fund had been 
 organised for the purpose of meeting any and all pro- 
 bable expenses in connection with the Soho Square 
 hospital — the lease of which had not expired — the con- 
 tributions to which at that time represented the sum of 
 ;^200 per annum, secured for a term of five years, if re- 
 quired. At the annual general meeting of governors of the 
 Dental Hospital of London, Mr. Ash proposed another 
 plan. His idea was to build suitable premises rather 
 than convert old ones into the nearest approach 
 to convenience they would allow. At considerable 
 trouble he had procured plans and drawings in con- 
 nection with sites to be obtained from the Metro- 
 politan Board of "VYorks, on which a hospital could 
 be erected, adapted in aU points to the requirements 
 of the manacrincr and medical staff, the students, and 
 also the Odontological Society. By estimates he had 
 procured, it appeared that such a hospital could be 
 built for the sum of ;^4000 inclusive, and he generously 
 undertook to meet any extra expense which might be 
 incurred. His proposal was discussed, but eventually 
 the decision was given in favour of the original plan. 
 Mr. E. Sercombe, as treasurer to the building fund, con- 
 tinued to receive encouraging support in subscriptions 
 from the profession generally. In July the sum in hand 
 was announced to be ;^ 2 144, which was further increased 
 by the following September to ;^2428, in October to 
 ^2529, and in December ^2929 in all had been received. 
 
238 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 The next year, 1874, was not to be allowed to grow 
 very old before tlie new Dental Hospital coidd be said 
 to be completed. Every effort had been made to do all 
 that was necessary to this end, Mr. Saunders having 
 been unremittinc^ in his exertions and influence with 
 the contractors from the first. The programme was 
 that the President of the Odontological Society, Mr. E. 
 Sercombe, should postpone his inaugural address, so as 
 to deliver the same in the new premises. On Monday 
 evening, March 2d, the society met as arranged to 
 receive the remarks of the president; after which, at 
 nine o'clock, a conversazione was held — the rooms being 
 decorated for the purpose with many valuable paintings 
 lent for the occasion by friends of the movement. 
 There were the usual objects of interest which accom- 
 pany such gatherings, exposed for the gratification of 
 the visitors, who in large numbers thronged the various 
 rooms. A general feeling of satisfaction was evident 
 at the accommodation which the new building afforded ; 
 and the promoters of the enterprise were gladdened by 
 the prospect of an immediate and entire renovation of 
 the hitherto ugly and disreputable Leicester Square gar- 
 dens. Altogether a very pleasant and highly-satisfac- 
 tory evening was spent. On the 12th of March it had 
 been determined that the formal possession of the new 
 premises should be taken; and Mr. Thomas Arnold 
 Eogers, who had consented to act as dean, invited the 
 students to meet him at nine o'clock of that day, to 
 inaugurate the beginning of operations there. With 
 the house-surgeon most of the j)upils responded to Mr. 
 Eogers' invitation, and had the pleasure and profit of 
 listening to the words of kindly welcome and instruc- 
 tion wliich that gentleman was so well able to offer. 
 Among many excellent observations, Mr. Eogers said in 
 conclusion : " Well, I am urging you to cultivate these 
 habits — thoroughness, accuracy, system, and to begin to 
 cultivate them here as an essential part of your profes- 
 sional training. And I may tell you without, I think. 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 239 
 
 violating the secrecy of tlie council- cliamber, that the 
 medical committee have under their anxious considera- 
 tion several matters upon which their decision will be 
 made with the sole object of promoting your welfare. 
 I feel sure you know the medical staff of this hospital 
 have your interests warmly at heart, and I hope their 
 deliberations will result in the promotion of those inte- 
 rests, by giving you increased opportunities of cultivat- 
 ing the habits I have alluded to. But you yourselves 
 may sometimes be able' to make valuable suggestions of 
 improvements in our way of working, and I shall be 
 very pleased indeed to receive them from you, and to 
 give them my best thoughts ; and should they appear 
 practicable, to recommend them to the consideration of 
 the medical committee. You know what a favourable 
 reception your wish for clinical lectures had; and I 
 know that both the medical and manaoingj committees 
 were much pleased by that instance of your earnestness ; 
 and you may rest assured that any such suggestion 
 coming from you will be welcomed, and, whether it can 
 be adopted or not, will, at all events, be received with 
 interest. 
 
 " And now I think I have said all I have to say in 
 welcoming you to your new hospital ; and yet I think I 
 should like to say one more word. Gentlemen, we have 
 a rare opportunity before us. We begin, as it were, a 
 new life to-day ; and I am not going too far when I say 
 that the eyes of the whole ^professional world are upon 
 us, and that upon your teachers and upon you — you 
 who are present in this room and at this moment — the 
 future of our profession in this country depends. Gen- 
 tlemen, let us rise to the level of this demand upon our 
 energies ; let us resolve here and now that we will, mth 
 God's help, do our utmost to benefit our fellow-men, 
 to qualify ourselves to take the highest positions in our 
 calling, and to make our school the first school in the 
 world." 
 
 The dinner took place in the evening of the same day 
 
240 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 at Willis's Eooms, when, under tlie chairmansliip of that 
 untiring friend of the profession, Mr Campbell de Mor- 
 gan, a numerous company assembled, including among 
 them many men of mark — Sir Wm.Fergusson, Bart.; T..B. 
 Curling, F.E.S., President of the Eoyal College of Sur- 
 geons ; and T. H. Hills, Esq., President of the Pharma- 
 ceutical Society. Among sentiments of congratulation 
 and expressed wishes for the increasing prosperity of the 
 hospital and all connected with it, and the society and 
 , school also, the company at length broke up, all alike 
 feeling that the Dental Hospital of London had been 
 thorouglily inaugurated under its new circumstances, and 
 launched, as it were, afresh upon an ever- widening sphere 
 of usefulness. ISTot satisfied with the success which had 
 evidently attended the enterprise thus far, Mr. Saunders 
 carried out the idea of a concert to be given in the pre- 
 mises, March 25th. This likewise proved a success — 
 the proceeds being a contribution to the funds of more 
 than ;^ioo; and Mr. Sercombe afterwards announced 
 that the amount in his hands could be written down as 
 ;^3682, 6s. I id. 
 
 Thus, then, was the hospital, which had been since 
 its opening in 1858 a gradually-increasing blessing as a 
 charity, and centre of instruction to the dental students 
 who had entered it, opened afresh for further benefit to 
 the public and the profession alike. Among the many 
 distinct advantages it then possessed was the undeni- 
 able one of such an officer as the new dean, Mr. T, A. 
 Eogers. Some years before, this particular office was 
 deemed a necessity, and was first mooted by Mr. S. 
 Cart\\T?ight. When the decision was come to that the 
 hos]3ital should have such an oificer, the committee of 
 management looked almost instinctively to Mr. T. A. 
 Eogers. Possessing all the qualifications necessary for 
 vsuch a post, he brought to it also extreme courtesy, 
 large experience, and abundant goodwill, accompanied 
 with leisure. What, therefore, could be accomplished 
 for the benefit of the institution itself, and for the stu- 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 2^1 
 
 dents practising there, there could be no doubt would 
 be thoroughly done ; and when that gentleman's assent 
 was given to the proposal made to him, all interested in 
 the success of the hospital were glad that to the list of 
 its already zealous staff of officers could be added the 
 well-known and universally-esteemed name of Thomas 
 Arnold Eogers. 
 
 Q 
 
( 242 ) 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Ois^ of the beneficial results arising from tlie better 
 organisation of the profession bas been shown in the 
 spirit which has manifested itself in other places besides 
 London. The desire for union and progress has been 
 very notably displayed in Edinburgh, where it has led 
 to the formation of a society called the Odonto-Chirur- 
 gical Society. The idea of founding such a society 
 appears to have suggested itself to Dr. J. Smith, of 
 Edinburgh, sometime before the dental licentiateship 
 was adopted. In the month of February 1858, Dr. 
 Smith addressed a letter to the President of the Royal 
 College of Surgeons, Edinburgh, " on the present posi- 
 tion of dental surgery, and its advancement as a branch 
 of medical education/' in which the then existing condi- 
 tion of the dental profession was discussed. The idea for 
 its improvement was thus epitomised, " First, that every 
 one adopting the practice of dental surgery should be 
 required to possess a surgical diploma or other equivalent 
 qualification, and have any special education in dentistry 
 superadded to this. Or, second, that at least a limited 
 and special course of instruction, practical as well as 
 theoretical and elementary, in dental surgery should be 
 afforded, and considered imperative on such as might 
 not possess, or might not feel desirous of obtaining, a 
 regidar diploma." In this printed letter Dr. Smith 
 deprecated '' partial degrees " as " in every way repre- 
 hensible," and advocated " a 'bo7ia fide surgical diploma." 
 Whether this address produced any result either with 
 the college authorities or Dr Smith's confreres, the writer 
 cannot say ; but that gentleman has informed him that 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 243 
 
 he took steps in conjunction with the late Mr. Xasmyth 
 to establish in Edinburgh a Dental Dispensary. In this 
 effort he was supported by Dr. Orphoot, Mr. Imlack, 
 and others. This institution was formed and opened in 
 January i860, in Drummond Street. Its success and 
 growing importance led eventually to its direction being 
 placed under the control of a regularly-constituted com- 
 mittee of management, who appealed to the public for 
 contributions for its support, instead of relying for aid, 
 as formerly, upon the generosity of those gentlemen 
 more or less immediately connected with it. The staff 
 of medical officers was increased to sLs:, and the charity 
 had found for it a better position in Cockburn Street, 
 where it still is. Of the beneficial results in connection 
 with the Dispensary more will be said further on. It 
 was at a meeting held when the institution was in 
 Cockburn Street, Januar}^ 1865, and on which occasion 
 Mr. Nasmyth, Dr. Eoberts, Dr. Orphoot, Mr. D. Hep- 
 burn, Dr. Wight, Mr. Watt, Dr. Swanson, and Dr. Smith 
 were present, that the propriety of establishing in Scot- 
 land a Society of Dental Practitioners was mooted. A 
 code of laws was agreed upon, by which such a society 
 should be regulated. Dr. Smith suggesting the name, 
 " The Odonto-Chirurgical Society." Copies of these 
 laws were circulated among the profession for approval, 
 with the request to those addressed that their opinion 
 upon them should be sent in to the secretary. Diffi- 
 culties immediately arose, owing their origin to the 
 same feeling which had exhibited itseK in London, on 
 the question of qualification, and what constituted it. 
 The result of conflicting opinions on this knotty point 
 was not long in revealing itself. In the month of May 
 in the same year (1865), another meeting was convened, 
 when it was agreed that the purpose should be aban- 
 doned, the committee of organisation dissolved, and the 
 society (?) considered as having ceased to exist. There 
 must have been cogent reasons for this sudden collapse 
 of such an interesting attempt to further the progress of 
 
244 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 tlie profession. As it was, however, Dr. Eoberts felt 
 constrained to move the abandonment of the project, 
 which was carried all but unanimously. One gentle- 
 man, Mr. D. Hepburn, raised his voice against the con- 
 clusion, expressing his confidence in ultimate success, 
 and belief that they could still command sufficient 
 numbers to form a society. Of course, the majority 
 ruled. Up to the year 1866 it had been the practice 
 in London to celebrate the granting of the diploma in 
 dental surgery on the day when the fu^st examination 
 for that degree had taken place, March 1 3th. On the 
 2d of March in that year, a circular was issued by the 
 board of stewards for the London dinner, announcing 
 that the result of a canvass of opinion among all the 
 licentiates was that in future the dinner should take 
 place in June, instead of as formerly. This being the 
 case it occurred to Mr. Hepburn to make use of the 
 opportunity thus created to institute a commemoration 
 dinner in Edinburgh, to be held on the original day, 
 hoping it would prove the means of drawing the mem- 
 bers of the profession in the IvTorth together, and foster- 
 ing a friendly spirit amongst them. To this end he 
 consulted with Mr. Chisholm and Mr. Cunnmgham, who 
 supported his views very cheerfully. The holders of the 
 degree were written to, as well as other leading and re- 
 puted members of the profession. Dr. Eoberts assisting 
 by addressing several of them. The dinner was accord- 
 ingly held, and although not numerously attended was a 
 decided success. It was at this friendly gathering Mr. 
 Hepburn thought he saw sufficient cordiality to warrant 
 an attempt at the formation of the wished-for society. 
 He stated his ideas to Mr. Chisholm and Mr. Cunning- 
 ham, who agreed with him, and then, having ascertained 
 that no effort was being made, or, indeed, seemed likely 
 to be made by others, these three gentlemen determined 
 to venture the attempt once more. It was furthermore 
 agreed that with the view of securing all those gentle- 
 men who had been engaged in the effort of 1865 to co- 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 24$ 
 
 operate, the name and laws whicli had been then sub- 
 mitted to the profession should be substantially retained, 
 such alterations in the rules as were thought necessary 
 to meet the more liberal views of the many alone ex- 
 cepted. Acting upon these bases a circular was sent to 
 all those members of the profession who it was con- 
 sidered probable would render assistance, calling a 
 meeting for March 13, 1867, with the purpose of form- 
 ing a society. This meeting was accordingly held at 
 the house of Mr. Hepburn, and there were present on 
 the occasion the following gentlemen, viz. : — Messrs. 
 Hogue, Swanson, Chisholm, Wilson, Watt, A. F. Swan- 
 son, Matthews, Cormack, and Hepburn (Edinburgh), F. 
 Thomson and Bell (Glasgow), Williamson (Aberdeen), 
 and Campbell (Dundee). 
 
 Letters from several other gentlemen unable to attend, 
 but concurring in the object of the meeting, were read. 
 The circular convenino; this meeting had been sent to 
 Dr. Smith, and Mr. Hepburn and Mr. Chisholm had 
 also called upon him informing him of the purport of 
 the o;atherin2:, and seeking his aid. On the mornino- of 
 the 13 th, Dr. Smith called in return on Mr. Hepburn, 
 stating that although he could not see his way to join 
 such a society at present, he nevertheless wished it 
 success. Dr. Thomson of Glasgow occupied the chair. 
 The usual business was proceeded with, resulting in the 
 adoption of the idea that the society should be formed. 
 The laws as agreed upon were such as to be identical 
 with those of the Odontological Society of Great Britain, 
 and it was decided formally to retain the name as ori- 
 ginally proposed. The following gentlemen were then 
 elected to serve in the respective offices : — 
 
 Honorary President — R. Nasmyth, F.R.C.S., M.O.S. 
 
 Vice-Presidents— Dr. F. Thomson, F. R. C. S., M. 0. S.; Dr 
 Roberts, L.D.S., M.O.S. 
 
 Committee— J. K. Chisholm, L.D.S., M.O.S.; Dr. J. Smith, 
 F.R.C.S.; W. Wilhamson, L.D.S.; Dr. Orphoot. 
 
 Treasurer — D. Hepburn, L.D.S. 
 
 /Secretary — J. G. Cunningham, L.D.S. 
 
2 4-5 DEXTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 As iu other societies it was very well, and manifested 
 a laudable feeling, to nominate and even elect those 
 gentlemen whom it was felt were most likely to help 
 forward the work thus taken in hand ; but it was alto- 
 gether another and a different thing to secure their 
 co-operation. The promoters of the Odonto-Chirurgical 
 Society, like their brethren in the South, had now to 
 pass through this mortifying and somewhat discourag- 
 ing experience. Mr. Nasmyth refused to act in the 
 office to which he had been unanimously elected, desir- 
 ing his name to be removed from the records of the 
 society ; but by the strong persuasion of Mr. Hepburn, 
 he eventually consented to allow it to remain until the 
 end of the year. Dr. Orphoot also and Dr. Smith 
 declined to be associated with the society. Added to 
 these untoward circumstances, the society had to con- 
 tend against difference of opinion from other members 
 of the profession, concerning the mode of action that 
 had been adopted, and, altogether considered, this very 
 praiseworthy attempt to bring the scientific and social 
 elements of our brethren in Scotland together proved 
 no easy task. The atmosphere, however, was not entirely 
 dark. Light streamed in from more than one point. 
 The society w^as very much cheered by receiving most 
 encouraging letters from Mr. E. Hepburn and Mr. 
 Underwood, who were then occupying seats at the 
 council of the Odontological Society. These came very 
 opportunely. Then, again, the president's chair was 
 accepted and worthily filled by the late Dr. Thomson 
 of Glasgow. This s^entleman had welcomed from the 
 first any endeavour to strengthen the bond of union 
 among dentists generally. His sentiments are given in 
 the following letter : — 
 
 " lo Brandon Place, Glasgow, 
 ^ih Jfarch 1867. 
 
 '' My dear Sir, — It will afford me much pleasure to 
 attend on Wednesday, the 13th March, at four o'clock, 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 24/ 
 
 as also to be present at tlie dinner afterwards. I quite 
 agree in all the liberal sentiments so well expressed in 
 your note, and have often regretted the utter want of 
 all social intercourse between the members of our par- 
 ticular specialty. I sincerely hope we may be able to 
 arrange this society, and cast aside every feeling but 
 kindness and good fellowship. — Believe me, my dear 
 sir, yours faithfully, Feaxcis H. Thomsox. 
 
 " David Hepburn^ Esq." 
 
 Previous to the election of this excellent and warm- 
 hearted gentleman to the president's chair, at the meet- 
 ing held March 13, 1858, the vacancies occasioned by 
 the retirement of Drs. Orphoot and Smith had been filled 
 by the election of Dr. Macpherson and Mr. Home. 
 
 The society thus formed and put into operation owes 
 its name to the su^o-estion of Dr. Smith, who also drew 
 up the originally-proposed laws for its regulation, and 
 it has been felt by all the members of the society to be 
 a matter of reon^et that he and others have not co- 
 operated in this really beneficial organisation. It needs 
 a great deal of faith and determination to proceed in 
 any difficulty when support is steadily withheld in 
 quarters where it might be fairly hoped for, and when 
 success crowns such efforts the praise is doubly due to 
 those whose perseverance has been so unremitting. 
 Among such, i\Ir. David Hepburn stands worthily pro- 
 minent. He has been well supported by such men as 
 Mr. Chisholm and Mr. Cunningham, not to mention 
 others, but the writer believes he is but statin^ that 
 which many practitioners in the i^orth would readily 
 endorse — especially those who have been most inti- 
 mately associated with him — that to his constancy and 
 self-denial, tos^ether with his unceasinf^ efforts, the 
 Odonto-Chirurgical Society is largely indebted for its 
 progress. Year by year its members have been added 
 to, valuable papers have been produced and read at its 
 various meetings, and published in the '"' Transactions " 
 
243 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 and " Britisli Journal of Dental Science," while finan- 
 cially tliere is everything to encourage. As a rule the 
 society's meetings were first held at Mr. David Hep- 
 burn's house, and apart from the advantage reaped in a 
 scientific point of view, those who have thus met to- 
 gether have had their professional relationships much 
 strengthened and encouraged. The profession in the 
 North has also set their brethren in London an excellent 
 example in the matter of celebrating the granting of 
 the dental degree, by an annual dinner in Edinburgh. 
 They have wisely and appropriately decided that this 
 friendly and social gathering should be held in con- 
 tinuance on the 1 3th of March in each year. While 
 this anniversary of the most important event in the 
 annals of dentistry in this country has been suffered to 
 lapse and fall into disuse by the practitioners in London 
 — for what cause, except apathy, perhaps, it is difficult 
 to say — the dentists of Scotland have most creditably 
 maintained it. It would be well if then: resolution 
 could find a response in the metropolis. Allusion 
 has been ah^eady made to the Edinburgh Dental Dis- 
 pensary, but a fuller notice of that institution is 
 necessary. 
 
 In the altered arrangements which its promoters 
 found necessary, during the second year of its existence, 
 the following gentlemen were appointed to its staff: — 
 Professor Goodsir and Mr. (now Professor) Spence, of 
 the Edinburgh University, consultiug surgeons; and 
 Mr. Nasmyth, consulting surgeon-dentist. Professor 
 Spence still continues consulting surgeon, and Messrs. 
 Goodsir and Nasmyth held office until their deaths. 
 It was further resolved "to appoint a committee of 
 medical gentlemen to aid in the formation of such a 
 special medical institution, and for drawing up those 
 regulations which might be necessary or expedient 
 towards its efficient worldng." The gentlemen chosen 
 were : — Dr. Craigie, P.E.C.P., Dr. Newbigging, P.E.C.S. 
 {ex officio), Professor Goodsir, Professor Sir Eobert 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 249 
 
 Christison, Professor Sir James Y. Sinipson, Dr. Begbie, 
 Dr. Burt, Professor Spence, Dr. James Duncan, and Dr. 
 Omond, to whom tlie reorganisation might be entrusted, 
 and the management handed over. In ^lav of the same 
 year considerable dif&culty arose as to the eligibility of 
 the medical of&cers for the daily attendance at the 
 Dispensary, when, at a full meeting, the following reso- 
 lution was framed, which afterwards formed rule 12 of 
 the constitution and laws, viz. — "Any one engaged in 
 the practice of dental surgery, and who possesses a medi- 
 cal or surgical title Cjualifying for registration, shall be 
 eligible for the office of dental surgeon in the Edinburgh 
 Dental Dispensary ; and any one who, at this date. May 
 
 1862, has been in the practice of dental surgery in Edin- 
 burgh for twenty years, shall be eligible for the same 
 office." The medical officers then on the staff were re- 
 appointed, and Mr. Charles Hutchins, Dr. W. A. 
 Eoberts, and Dr. Hogue were elected to the office ; Mr. 
 William Kelso Thwaites, Solicitor Supreme Court of 
 Scotland, acting as treasurer and secretary. The daily 
 rotation of medical officers was fixed, the financial state- 
 ment was examined and audited, the rules and constitu- 
 tion approved of and adopted, and the Dispensary fairly 
 started under the new regime. Subscriptions were then 
 solicited, and chiefly through the exertions of the office- 
 bearers a sum of ;^20 was obtained, while the trustees 
 of the late John Mackenzie, Esq., Manor Place, Edin- 
 burgh, contributed a further sum of £2"^. "V^Tien the 
 financial statement was submitted for approval in May 
 
 1863, the announcement was made that the Dispensary 
 was free from debt. During the first year of its exist- 
 ence the number of patients seeking relief at the Dis- 
 pensary amounted to 1404. At the half-yearly meet- 
 ing of the institution, November 1863, the number of 
 patients had amounted in six months to 1034, so that it 
 was evident the benefits it afibrded were well kno^va 
 and sought after. The boxes for donations, &c., placed 
 on the premises yielded only the meagre sum of four 
 
250 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 shillings and eiglitpence ; so that it was to be inferred 
 the sufferers were either very poor, or else little disposed 
 practically to show their appreciation of the relief they 
 had received. The funds would not have been suffi- 
 cient to meet the expenses had not the trustees of Mr. 
 Mackenzie a^ain come to the rescue, thus enablino- the 
 Dispensary to tide over its difficulties. The year 1864 
 revealed the unpleasant tidings of subscriptions coming 
 in very slowly, when the secretary submitted to the 
 medical committee the desirability of publishing a 
 report of the proceedings at the public meeting, and a 
 history of the more interesting cases, together with a 
 list of subscribers. This suggestion was, however, 
 postponed for further consideration, and possible adop- 
 tion. The brethren in the North were adopting a simi- 
 lar course to that pursued by the executive of the 
 Dental Hospital of London, viz., endeavouring to main- 
 tain their institution by the generosity of those imme- 
 diately concerned. Why such a system should be fol- 
 lowed it would be difficult to say, seeing that the public 
 reap so distinct and direct a benefit from these chari- 
 ties, and, therefore, can be so legitimately and justly 
 expected to give proportionate help. The expenses of 
 the Edinburgh Dental Dispensary, including the pur- 
 chase of instruments, furniture, &c., amounted in round 
 numbers to ;^ico; but by great exertions subscrip- 
 tions and donations, including the house boxes — which 
 had reached £1, 8s. 4jd. in small sums — were found 
 sufficient to meet this demand. About this time the 
 subject of adding to the medical staff, or the appoint- 
 ment of assistant dental surgeons, was submitted to the 
 consideration of the executive, and a committee was 
 empowered to confer upon the matter. In May 1864 
 the following official statement appeared in the report, 
 viz., that since the opening of the Dispensary the num- 
 ber of patients attending had steadily increased. During 
 the first year 250 persons had received relief, while in 
 the latter year 2028 had been entered upon the books. 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 25 I 
 
 At the half-yearly meeting, held in May 1865, it was 
 stated that while the funds had fallen off by some ;^20, 
 the nnmber of patients had increased to 2750. It was 
 in the course of that year that a correspondence was 
 opened between the Dispensary executive and the 
 Eoyal College of Surgeons of England, the object being 
 the recognition by that body of the Edinburgh institu- 
 tion as a school in harmony with the imposed and 
 regular curriculum. This resulted in the granting of 
 the request, as the following quotation from a letter 
 from the secretary of the Eoyal College of Surgeons, 
 Mr. Trimmer, under date August 14, 1865, will show. 
 " Eesolved : — That, as recommended by the board, certi- 
 ficates of attendance on the practice of the Edinburgh 
 Dental Dispensary be recognised by this college as part 
 of the curriculum for the diploma in dental surgery, on 
 the understanding that such certificates must only be 
 signed by the three ordinary surgeon dentists holding 
 one or other of the qualifications considered necessary 
 by the council." 
 
 Further inquiries were made as to the effect of this 
 recognition by such as might decide upon availing 
 themselves of a connection with this institution, which 
 resulted in Mr. Trimmer sending a reply containing the 
 following information — " I have to acquaint you that 
 such recognition will be applicable only to paragraph . . . 
 of the enclosed regulations relating to such diploma. 
 The certificates required by paragTaphs 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, 
 can be obtained by attendance on the recognised medi- 
 cal schools in Edinburgh ; but inasmuch as there is not 
 yet any recognised dental school in Edinburgh, the 
 certificates included in paragraphs . . . cannot be ob- 
 tained in that city." This communication bore date 
 27th September 1865. 
 
 The qualifications necessary for serving on the medi- 
 cal staff were reconsidered, resulting in the confirma- 
 tion of the terms required as agreed u]3on in 1862. 
 The report for the year i %6'j-6'^ showed that between 
 
52 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 JL^^^ 
 
 4000 and 5000 patients liad "been treated, but the 
 income of the Dispensary also showed a most disheart- 
 ening decrease, the total amount raised being no more 
 than the insignificant sum of £IZ- Such a state of 
 things created a painful feeling among those who were 
 stri\T.ng to sustain a charity which it was evident was a 
 distinct necessity, and it was resolved to publish a 
 statement, and solicit subscriptions, especially from the 
 employers of labour. This was accordingly done, and 
 the result, though not what was expected as to amount, 
 was to a certain degree encouraging, and, at any rate, 
 enabled the financial demands of the Dispensary to be 
 met. This was in 1870. During -1869 the appoint- 
 ment of assistant dental surgeons was decided upon, 
 which arrangement still exists. Dr. Smith, who had 
 worked strenuously in the double of&ce of ordinary den- 
 tal surgeon and honorary medical secretary, retired from 
 these posts in 1870. Onwards to the present time, 
 through many trials and difficulties, but invariably with 
 a meagre exchequer, the Edinburgh Dental Dispensary 
 has moved. The insufficient supply of funds has 
 crippled its development,^ not permitting the use of 
 nitrous oxide gas except in rare and very special cases, 
 and precluding anything further than mere extraction 
 of teeth. It appears to an unprejudiced mind that 
 there is a tangible cause for the results which all con- 
 nected with the institution cannot but deplore. If a 
 public charity, which confers its benefits upon 4000 to 
 5000 of the suffering poor, can only obtain a bare suffi- 
 ciency to meet its most modest expenditure, the ques- 
 tion presses with great force as to the reason why. Is 
 it from within, or from without ? Can the executive 
 improve its method ? or are those who, as the general 
 public, are, or ought to be, interested in the stability and 
 increasing usefulness of such a benevolent enterprise, so 
 indifferent in the matter that it is allowed thus to lan- 
 guish ? There have been examples of well- sustained 
 energy in connection with the Dispensary, notably in 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 253 
 
 the case of Dr. Jolin Wight, not to mention others; 
 and it is to be hoped that some effort will be made 
 whereby it may be relieved from the experience of 
 past years, and placed in the happy cbciimstances 
 which its importance assuredly claims. The report for 
 the year 1875 is somewhat more encouraging, especially 
 in the statement that the practice of filling teeth has 
 been adopted. This, as a matter of course, is a benefit 
 not only, to the patients, but also to the students attend- 
 ing the institution. The following is the present con- 
 stitution of the staff : — 
 
 Managers— T)T. Keiller, P.Pv.C.P., and Dr. Littlejolm, P.Pv.C.S. 
 {ex officio)', J. Gordon, Esq.; Dr. Omond, F.R.C.S.;* Dr. J. W. 
 Becfbie, F.R.C.P.;* Dr. John Smith, F.R.C.P.; Dr. Dunsnmre, 
 r.RC.S.; Dr. Moir, F.R.C.P.; Dr. A. H. Douglas, F.E.C.P.; Dr. 
 J. D. Gillespie, F.E.C.S.; Dr. Charles Dycer, F.E.C.S.; Dr. R. 
 Paterson, F.R.C.R; W. Walter, Esq.,F.R.C.S.; Charles Hntchins, 
 Esq.; Dr. W. A. Roberts, L.D.S.; Dr. W. H. LoT^e, F.R.C.P.; 
 Dr. James Simson, F.R.C.S. 
 
 Consulting Surgeon — Professor Spence, F.R.C.S. 
 
 Consulting Physician — Dr. Sannders, F.R.C.P. 
 
 Consulting Surg eon- Dentist — Dr. John Smith, F.R.C.S., Sur- 
 geon-Dentist to the Queen. 
 
 Ordinary Surgeon-JJentiste — Dr. W. A. Roberts, L.D.S.; Wil- 
 liam Chisholm, Esq., L.R.C.P. and S. Edin. and L.D.S.; J. K. 
 Chishobn, Esq., L.D.S.; A. Cormack, Esq., L.D.S.; Dr. John 
 Wight. 
 
 Secretary and Treasurer — William Kelso Thwaites, S.S.C. 
 
 Liverpool has also provided a similar charity for the 
 benefit of its poor, and a means of usefulness for the 
 dental students there. The Liverpool Dental Hospital 
 owes its origin to Mr. W. J. Is'ewman, dental surgeon of 
 that to^vn. The first to aid him in the important work 
 he had undertaken was the Eev. W. Banister, the ]ate 
 Mr. Thomas Brakell co-operating with him, and, under the 
 influential auspices and patronage of the then mayor, 
 T, D. Anderson, Esq., it was established in September 
 i860. Its first president was Laurence E. Baily, Esq., 
 and the late Alex. Stookes, M.D., acted as vice-presi- 
 
 * Since deceased. 
 
254 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 
 
 dent, which offices they each held until the year 1 864, 
 when John Ireland Elackburne, Esq., filled the presi- 
 dent's chair, and Dr. Stookes became consulting physi- 
 cian. The institution has since been efficiently helped 
 by the services of Lieutenant-Colonel Steble, who has 
 acted as honorary treasurer a.nd secretary, and since, 
 vice-president, together with Mr. Samuel Grace, Mr. 
 Da\dd Campbell, and others. For the first three years 
 Mr. NcAvman acted as sole dental officer, and generously 
 gave three attendances weekly, performing the neces- 
 sary operations. In the year 1863 the dental staff was 
 augmented by the valuable assistance of Messrs. E. E. 
 Stewart and S. F. Austin, and by this step the commit- 
 tee of management were enabled to open the hospital 
 daily instead of as before. Mr. Austin subsequently 
 resigning, ]\ir. James B. Lloyd was elected to the dental 
 staff in 1864, and not long afterwards Mr. W. T. Bryan, 
 Dr. Waite, and Mr. J. Durandu were appointed honor- 
 ary dental officers — so that a dental surgeon was thus 
 secured for each morning of the week. This arrange- 
 ment continued until December 1869, when Mr. Du- 
 randu resigned, and Mr. Tullius Eay succeeded him. 
 The necessity of such an institution was demonstrated 
 by a steady increase in the number of patients attend- 
 ing. The first year gave for its result 864 operations 
 performed ; while in 1 869 the number registered reached 
 5421. Altogether, within the period of these two dates, 
 no less than 29,650 operations had taken place. The 
 history of this institution has been similar to that of 
 other kindred charities, especially where they have been 
 opened for special purposes such as dentistry. There 
 has been struggle Avith difficulties, and much patient 
 toil on the part of those more immediately concerned, 
 which reflect credit and merit praise. The necessity of 
 a dental hospital has, however, been thoroughly recog- 
 nised by the public, and hence the practice has been 
 considerable. Without mentioning the results given 
 year by year in the annual reports, that of 1875 informs 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 255 
 
 the friends and supporters of the hospital that the num- 
 ber of admissions during the twelve months amounted 
 to 5867, being an increase of 404 over those of the year 
 preceding. These statistics give an average of 70CO 
 opeyations performed within the above time. Applica- 
 tion has been made to the Koyal College of Surgeons 
 for the recognition of the hospital by that body, in con- 
 nection with the stipulated curriculum, and this has 
 been granted. The manaf^in^ committee are enter- 
 prising enough to seek for more accommodation in 
 better or enlarged premises. The undertaking will 
 entail an expenditure of some ;^3000, but already a 
 nucleus of that sum has been secured. That the amount 
 of relief which this institution secures for the suffering 
 poor of the flourishing town of Liverpool will be a 
 strong and sufficient claim upon the pecuniary support 
 of its many wealthy inhabitants, there can be no doubt. 
 At the same time, the experience which such a field of 
 practice offers to the dental student will secure for it a 
 steady in-flow of young men seeking to become 
 thoroughly acquainted with the details of the profes- 
 sion they propose to follow. Too much praise cannot 
 well be given to Mr. N'ewman for having originated the 
 Liverpool Dental Hospital Such a charity in such a 
 town must be an immense boon to the suffering among 
 its many thousands of labourers, workmen, and others ; 
 and one, moreover, that the many wealthy and influen- 
 tial residents should very cheerfully support. As a 
 school for the education of dental students its import- 
 ance cannot be overrated, wliile gentlemen of profes- 
 sional ability give their time and attention to the 
 conduct of its affairs. To all who have hitherto sup- 
 ported Mr. Newman the thanks of the true friends of 
 the profession are due, seeing that in such methods as 
 this the real advance in scientific and practical know- 
 ledge of dentistry unmistakably lies. 
 
 Plymouth has had its dental dispensary, that institu- 
 tion having been opened in July 1861. It originated 
 
256 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 through the joint efforts of gentlemen resident there, 
 who were at the same time members of the Odonto- 
 logical Society of Great Britain, and practising as dental 
 surgeons in Plymouth. These were Messrs. Coles, 
 Spence Bate, Tubbs, and Jewers. From the first, Mr. 
 Coles could not take the active duties connected witli 
 the enterprise, and consequently became an honorary 
 member of the staff. After a short time Mr. Tubbs 
 withdrew, and Mr. Balkwill, who had but recently come 
 to live in Plymouth, took his place. Mr. Jewers was 
 completely disabled through illness to fill the office to 
 which he had been appointed, and under these circum- 
 stances Mr. S. Bate undertook to perform double duty 
 as one of the medical staff. One of the first decisions 
 arrived at was that for the future no dental officer to 
 the infirmary could be elected who did not hold the 
 diploma of the Eoyal College of Surgeons. In due time 
 application was made to the authorities at Lincoln's 
 Inn Fields to recognise -the school which had been 
 formed under these gentlemen's auspices. This request 
 was at length granted, and lectures accordingly given. 
 Owing to the necessity of two years of the students' 
 time having to be passed in London, the lectures did 
 not prove so useful as it was originally thought they 
 would be. The practice at the Dispensary is very much 
 sought after, and higlily valued by those engaged in 
 their studies there. The reason for this is obvious. 
 There being but a limited number of students, each in 
 his turn obtains a goodly share of work. The senior 
 pupils attend, as a rule, when competent, and superintend 
 the operations under the direction of the dental surgeon. 
 There can be no doubt that the Plymouth Dental Dis- 
 pensary is a boon, not only as a public charity, but also 
 as a school of instruction to those who enter their 
 names on its lists. The institution is conducted in a 
 quiet and economic manner, and is another instance 
 of what a large amount of good can be conferred at a 
 very moderate pecuniary expenditure. 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 25/ 
 
 Birmingham has not only not been behindhand in 
 the matter of establishing a Dental Dispensary, but was, 
 indeed, the first in the field after the effects of reform in 
 the profession were being manifested throughout the 
 provinces. This institution, which owes its origin 
 mainly to Mr. Samuel Adams Parker of the above town, 
 was established in the beginning of the year 1868. The 
 site chosen for it was in Temple Street, as being the 
 best, because most central, part of the town. The ideas 
 of its promoters were set forth in the statement made 
 when the institution was founded, and were to the 
 following effect : — " This institution is founded with the 
 intention of affording gTatuitous advice and assistance 
 to the poor in all cases of diseases of the teeth ; such 
 advice and assistance to include the operations of ex- 
 tracting, stopping, and scaling, and the regulation of 
 children's teeth. The only operation performed on the 
 teeth at our hospitals and public dispensaries throughout 
 the metropolis and provincial towns is extraction ; and 
 it is probable that great numbers of teeth are annually 
 lost that might, with a little care and attention, have been 
 rendered permanently useful. The expenses attending the 
 working of this institution will be very small, therefore 
 large subscriptions will not be required; sixty or seventy 
 pounds per annum will probably cover all liabilities, 
 including rent, instruments, stopping materials," &c. 
 
 It is but right to record the names of those gentlemen, 
 both lay and professional, who, seeing the importance 
 of such a dispensary, associated themselves in the effort 
 to fairly launch the new enterprise. The following is a 
 list of the names of the first office-bearers : — 
 
 Presidmt — John EatclifF, Esq., Mayor. 
 Treasurer — Henry Marshall, Esq. 
 Secretary — George Warden, Esq. 
 Consulting Dentist — T. R. English, Esq. 
 Dentist — Samuel Adams Parker, Esq. 
 
 Committee — Samuel Berry, Esq.; P. H. Chavasse, Esq.; T. B. 
 Fletcher, Esq., M.D.; J. J." Hadley, Esq.; G. H. Marshall, Esq.; 
 
 E 
 
25 8 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 Langston Parker, Esq.; Oliver Pemberton, Esq.; Thomas Plevins, 
 Esq. ; J. N. Solomon, Esq.; W. F. Wade, Esq., M.B.; C War- 
 den, Esq., M.U.; T. W. Williams, Esq. 
 
 That there was a necessity for such a public charity 
 was soon to be made evident ; the first report, delivered 
 in the month of August in that year, showing that 350 
 patients had taken advantage of the opportunity thus 
 afforded them, and that the total number of distinct 
 operations that had been performed amounted to 420. 
 During the twelve months between January 1858 and 
 the same month in the following year (1859), it appeared 
 that 645 patients had attended the charity, and 755 
 operations had been performed. Onwards from that 
 time the usefulness of this Dental Dispensary has been 
 made very clear and palpable, as may be seen by con- 
 sulting the pages of the " British Journal of Dental 
 Science," where the reports have been systematically 
 published. There have been those changes in the staff 
 of the institution which, during the course of years, are 
 naturally to be expected, and in other matters connected 
 with the Dispensary ; but Mr. Parker has up to a short 
 time since unremittingly held to the of&ces which have 
 been assigned him, and has done good work in the 
 direction of promoting its stability and success. The 
 author would have been pleased to have given a longer 
 and fuller account of this provincial dental institution 
 had he been able to obtain information from headquar- 
 ters. From some unexplained cause, however, his two 
 applications to that effect have not met with a response ; 
 he therefore refers the reader to the " British Journal 
 of Dental Science," where he may find through the pub- 
 lished reports sufficient evidence to prove its utility. 
 There can be no doubt but that dental dispensaries or 
 hospitals will eventually be established in all the large 
 and important towns of the three kingdoms. When effici- 
 ently directed, and strengthened by the countenance and 
 support of the leading local medical practitioners, they 
 will prove in the highest sense of the word beneficial, not 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 259 
 
 only as public charities, but also as schools for the 
 proper education of the young men proposing to prac- 
 tise as dental surgeons. Their recognition as schools 
 by the Eoyal College of Surgeons depends upon the 
 established reputation and acknowledged position of 
 the gentlemen on their various staffs and every true 
 friend of the dental profession must not only hope 
 but expect, that the demands of the authorities in Lin- 
 coln's Inn Fields in this direction will be sufficiently 
 plain and uncompromising. Looking at what has been 
 already effected in this department of reform, and the 
 general desire evinced in some of the principal provin- 
 cial centres to have such institutions in their midst, 
 there can be but congratulation experienced by all who 
 have, in years that are past, laboured so indefatigably to 
 promote the true interests of the dental profession, and 
 by every honourable and high-minded practitioner and 
 student throughout its ranks. 
 
( 260 ) 
 
 CHAPTEE X. 
 
 To record some of the names and mention the services of 
 those gentlemen who have taken so honourable and pro- 
 minent a part in the cause of dental reform in the 
 United Kingdom, since it was commenced in earnest in 
 the year 185 6, is a very pleasant part of the author's work. 
 It has its difficulties, however, as the least reflection on 
 the reader's side will show. One of these arises from 
 the fact that, happily, many of these same gentlemen 
 are still living amongst us. So to speak as that invi- 
 dious distinctions shall not occur, and the proper and 
 honourable susceptibilities of good men may be re- 
 spected, is no easy task. The object the writer has in 
 view is to mention the names and refer to the acts of 
 some of the true friends of reform, as from time to time 
 they have been brought under his own personal observa- 
 tion. To give a biographical sketch of all who have 
 warmly and disinterestedly wrought for the profession's 
 advancement would far exceed the intended limits of 
 this work. If, therefore, the curtailment of the list of 
 benefactors should cause disappointment to some, the 
 reason of it lies beyond the writer's control One 
 of the most interesting facts bound up as an integral 
 part of the struggle for the profession's elevation is the 
 cheerfulness with which many members of it, strenuously 
 and to the full, aided in its accomplishment. There were 
 those whose position and power were alike limited, but 
 who, nevertheless, contributed their utmost, and through- 
 out the entire campaign, too, for the welfare of their 
 brethren and the general good. The many denials 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 26 1 
 
 which these real friends of the profession submitted to, 
 and the sacrifices they made to secure the desired end, 
 can only be imperfectly known. Without them, how- 
 ever, that which has become the rich heritage of the 
 rising generation of dentists in this country could never 
 have been hoped for, much less obtained. Having been so 
 closely associated with the entire movement, the author 
 has seen much of that devotedness and self-denial which 
 constitutes the chief charm and brightest grace in every 
 benevolent enterprise, and willingly pays his tribute of 
 praise to all who have thus characterised themselves. 
 The major part of their good offices has, though felt, 
 been of that nature which is not calculated to meet the 
 open gaze of general observers, and, indeed, is of a purely 
 private and personal character. To trench, therefore, 
 on such a domain would be as unwise on the one part 
 as it would be unwelcome on the other. To escape from 
 the perplexities of the task before him, the writer takes 
 refuge in the simple but safe resort to alphabetical 
 order and arrangement of names. Following this 
 method, therefore, as one which is open to the least 
 objection, the first name to be dealt with is that of Mr. 
 Arnott. 
 
262 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 ME. J. M. AENOTT. 
 
 This gentleman, as is well known, is not a member 
 of tlie dental profession. Eminent as a surgeon, influ- 
 ential as a former president of tlie Eoyal College of Sur- 
 geons, and universally respected, Mr. Tomes had the 
 good fortune to be on terms of close intimacy with him 
 at the critical time when his power could be of the 
 highest value if exercised on behalf of dentists and their 
 interests. When the now well-understood " memorial " 
 had not yet come into existence, the use of such a means 
 for the attainment of the object which the eventual signa- 
 taries of that document were formulating, was suggested 
 to them by Mr. Arnott. He was at that time occupying 
 a seat on the council of the Eoyal College of Surgeons, 
 and was, therefore, well acquainted with the feelings of 
 that body towards the dental profession, so far as they 
 may have been expressed. If, therefore, Mr. Arnott ad- 
 vised that particular method of approach to the council, 
 those who were anxious to gain the ear and obtain the 
 help of that influential body had every reason to place 
 implicit confidence in the mode itself. There can be no 
 doubt that the strong feeling of trust in Mr. Arnott's 
 counsel which all the memorialists had was that which 
 accounted for their indifference to the assaults made by 
 so many of their professional brethren — for this same 
 memorial, and all concerned with it, received a terrible 
 amount of buffeting as soon as it became generally 
 known. Mr. Arnott was able to judge of the character 
 of Mr. Tomes by his official connection with him at the 
 Middlesex Hospital, and feeling that he was capable of 
 only such sentiments as, if practically realised, would 
 advance the interests alike of the public and the dental 
 profession, he had no difficulty in giving attention to 
 what that gentleman sought to advance. When the 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 263 
 
 sclieme of dental reform as it existed in Mr. Tomes' 
 mind was submitted to Mr. Arnott's notice, it appeared 
 to Mm of such importance that he demanded time to think 
 it out for liimself. This was not done, as is too often the 
 case, to delay the matter, or even, from the prudential 
 point of view, to test the sincerity and ardour of those 
 more immediately concerned. At that time Mr. Arnott 
 not only had his seat at the council of the College of 
 Surgeons, but held several other important offices which 
 brought him an immense amount of mental labour to 
 perform, and fully occupied his time. "\'\nien, therefore, 
 it has to be recorded that Mr. Arnott not only con- 
 sidered Mr. Tomes' plan, but considered it well, turning 
 it over and over again in his mind, and endeavouring 
 to take such a comprehensive view of it as to be able 
 fully to understand what it would involve, so that he 
 might be prepared to take it up or let it drop as he 
 concluded best, enouo;h has been said to call forth the 
 thankfulness of every well-wisher to the dental pro- 
 fession. By adding this extra duty to all the other 
 duties pertaining to him just then, ]\Ir. Arnott quietly 
 fostered the infant effort which has subsequently grown 
 to such excellent and admirable proportions. His kind- 
 ness was another exemplification of that which is ap- 
 parently so paradoxical in itself — namely, that those 
 whose time is absolutely and already full are the very 
 men who can, nevertheless, accept yet something else to 
 do, and do it well. When once Mr. Arnott had ac- 
 ceded to the request thus made to him, he had abun- 
 dant opportunity of knowing the pertinacity of Mr. 
 Tomes' disposition. In a conversation which the 
 author had with ]\Ir. Arnott lately on this very subject, 
 that gentleman very quietly remarked — " Tomes gave 
 me but very little rest in the matter ; he plied me in- 
 cessantly with his reasons why I should adopt his idea." 
 The motive for all this is distinct enough, especially 
 now. Once let Mr. Arnott see his way clearly, and 
 then his powerful influence would be used to the 
 
264 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 utmost in the desired direction. His opinion was at 
 length made known to Mr. Tomes, to this effect, that if 
 the project were ever realised at all, it would only be 
 accomplished after a considerable length of time. This 
 might have been, and probably was, discouraging ; but 
 the truth is the difficulties in the way were enormous. 
 Eightly to understand this, it needs that the subject be 
 Adewed from the Surgeons' point of view, or, more pro- 
 perly speaking, from the council table, if not the presi- 
 dent's chair at the Eoyal College of Surgeons. If we 
 can occupy mentally such a position, and endeavour to 
 feel as the surgeon of that day felt, we can somewhat 
 enter into and understand such a conclusion by such 
 a man as Mr. Arnott. The question may be very 
 significantly asked, " What was dentistry ? " Beyond 
 what has been sketched in the first chapter of this book, 
 there were deeps of ignorance and heights of brazen 
 effrontery in connection with it, and those who pretended 
 to practise it, which made the whole subject a most unin- 
 teresting and uninviting one for contemplation. The pro- 
 cess of purification needed boldness to make it effectual. 
 How many practitioners at that time were worthy either of 
 recognition, help, or advancement ? Verily, few indeed. 
 Mr. Tomes was not at that time a member of the 
 college, and so was not to be considered as capable of 
 quite feeling what members of the college were sup- 
 posed to feel towards dentists. But Mr. Arnott's high 
 position brought him, or would bring him, into contact 
 with men who, in the consideration of the subject, even 
 if they inclined to consider it at all, might be expected 
 to exhibit supreme indifference. There was very little, 
 if indeed anything, that could be adduced, as from the 
 dentists' side, which would be likely to interest surgeons 
 of the first rank. Nor could those gentlemen be legiti- 
 mately blamed for their apathy in the matter. It was 
 evident, therefore, that Mr. Arnott had concluded rightly 
 when he said that, " if realised at all, it would only be 
 after a considerable time." The main ]3oint, then, to be 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 265 
 
 decided was, whether, supposing the plan proposed to 
 be the right one, on the whole it would be well to per- 
 severe ? Mr. Tomes resolved to wait and watch, never 
 relaxing a single hour when he thought effort should be 
 made, but still guarding carefiilly against " hurry," lest 
 a rash or premature step should endanger success. On 
 Mr. Arnott's side there were all the sldlful tactics 
 which the best generalship could supply. Gradually, 
 and at the most favourable opportunities, the opinions 
 of his colleagues were carefuUy sounded. Persever- 
 ingly and with laudable prudence each step was taken ; 
 and from time to time results either probable or accom- 
 plished were talked over and further advance con- 
 sidered. But all this, and much more, was unknown to 
 the profession generally. The matter was being quietly 
 worked by two individuals, one of whom had been 
 instigated to act in the most important direction by the 
 other. At length the time arrived when !Mr. Arnott 
 advised the presentation of the memorial in order for- 
 mally to bring the subject imder the notice of the Eoyal 
 College of Surgeons. This, therefore, was accordingly 
 done. The document was placed in Mr. Arnott's hands, 
 he having kindly consented to place it before the 
 council. On the 13th of December 1855 the petition 
 was presented by him, and a copy of it ordered to be 
 entered on the minutes. It was further considered on 
 the I oth January 1856, and mainly through the cogency 
 of Mr. Arnott's reasoninc^ it was referred to a committee 
 composed of the following influential gentlemen : — 
 Messrs. Green, C. Hawkins and Arnott — president and 
 vice-presidents of the council — Lawrence, Travers, and 
 Stanley. This was to be accounted good progress. 
 The attention of Messrs. Green and Lawrence had been 
 already directed to the subject by the repeated solicita- 
 tions of Mr. Arnott in private, consequently it was to 
 be fairly hoped that, when their notice was to be thus 
 ofiicially brought to it, they would give it their favour 
 and sanction. This hope did not prove itself illusive. 
 
266 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 Having espoused the cause, Mr. Arnott left nothing 
 undone which he could effect to bring about the result 
 so much desired by Mr. Tomes and the party he was 
 working with. To this end he enlisted the sympathies 
 of Mr. Belfour, the secretary of the college, in the cause, 
 who, as far as his assistance could avail, rendered it 
 very cheerfully. It may here appropriately be said 
 that in this, as in many subsequent matters connected 
 vidth the reform movement in its various stages, Mr, 
 Belfour proved himself to be, up to the time of his 
 lamented death, a most valuable friend to the dental 
 profession. There were frequent occasions when the 
 formal and strictly of&cial duties of this gentleman, if 
 carried out to the letter, might have become serious 
 hindrances to advance, but he ever availed himself of 
 the power he possessed to promote the true interests of 
 dental practitioners. With the agency of this com- 
 mittee prepared to be put in operation, Mr. Arnott saw 
 that the first step to be taken was to ascertain the 
 legal bearings of the project as they touched the Eoyal 
 College of Surgeons. On the legal adviser being con- 
 sulted, he gave it as his distinct opinion that the Crown 
 would have to be applied to for a charter, which would 
 empower the college to institute a dental department 
 in connection with itself, and by such a measure alone 
 could the idea of the memorialists be carried out. The 
 difficulties attendant upon this were many and formid- 
 able, as the statements in the body of this work have 
 shown. Throughout them all, and with untiring effort 
 and kindly feeling, Mr. Arnott cheerfully brought his 
 influence to bear. Much that he has done cannot 
 well be recorded here, but one thing is absolutely cer- 
 tain, that his share in the labour of brincrinc^ about the 
 beneficial results which the profession enjoys at this 
 moment has been very considerable. What renders 
 these quiet but efiicient efforts more valuable still is 
 the extremely modest estimate which Mr. Arnott him- 
 self places upon them. Like a true benefactor, as in- 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 26/ 
 
 deed lie has been, lie prefers giving the praise in every 
 other direction except his own. But those who know 
 what were the obstacles encumbering the path of pro- 
 gress, especially in the earlier portion of the movement, 
 will fully appreciate what Mr. Arnott did when only 
 such an influence as he possessed could have been 
 instrumental in removing them. The profession stands 
 deeply indebted to Mr. James Moncrieff Arnott, and 
 there can be no doubt that the mention or recollection 
 of this honoured and honourable name will always be 
 accompanied with its most just meed of thankfulness 
 and esteem. 
 
26S DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 
 
 ME. S. CAETWEIGHT. 
 
 Inheriting a name wliich is more widely known, not 
 only in England, but abroad, than, perhaps, any other 
 connected with the dental profession in this country, 
 Mr. Cartwiight has ever held a foremost place among 
 his professional brethren. Like others who, from the 
 first, felt the deep and pressing necessity which existed 
 for improvement and advance, he lent the power of his 
 acknowledged position and the energy of his disposi- 
 tion for the general good. His opinion as to the method 
 by which this could be best secured was identical with 
 that of those who formulated the " memorial," and hence 
 we find his name ap23ended to that document. Mr. Cart- 
 wright was a Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, and 
 has been medically educated; and, as a member of the 
 Eoyal College of Surgeons, knows the importance of 
 a thorough knowledge of the various departments of 
 medicine and surgery to all who propose to practise 
 dentistry in a proper and legitimate manner. He never 
 could see the advantac^es which those who strove for 
 an independent position asserted would accrue by the 
 adoption of that method, and, therefore, from the com- 
 mencement, was firmly opposed to Mr. Eymer's scheme. 
 This was evident by his repudiation of the connection 
 which had been ardently hoped for by the College of 
 Dentists' party, when they ventured to put his name 
 on the list of those who, it was felt, would be the best 
 directors of that movement, when it was in what may 
 be termed its incipient state. Mr. Cartwright wrote 
 to the author at that time, and, in unmistakably plain 
 terms, said so. Although so few members of the pro- 
 fession were then known to each other, there was a 
 general admission that which ever side had on its list of 
 supporters Mr. Cartwright's name had thereby secured 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 269 
 
 tliat wMch would tell largely in its fayoiir. This was 
 in itself perfectly true. Several of the meetings of 
 those gentlemen who had resolved to petition the Eoyal 
 College of Surgeons were held at ISTo. 32 Old Burlington 
 Street — where the generous hospitality of Mr. Cart- 
 wright's father had been so often dispensed — and on 
 those occasions Mr. Cartwright had himseK taken an 
 active part in advancing and maturing the memo- 
 rialists' scheme. His voice was very distinctly heard 
 for the union of dentistry with surgery, according to 
 the terms of that proposal, and he was a powerful advo- 
 cate and supporter of it on every occasion. Those who 
 knew him well anticipated that he would use his best 
 energies to carry out the idea he had espoused, nor 
 were they disappointed. Valuable as his time was, he 
 very cheerfully gave it whenever it was demanded, and 
 this was by no means an unfrequent thing. Many 
 were the questions on the all-important circumstances 
 taking place in connection with the movement gener- 
 ally which he had to answer by letter, and many also 
 were the interviews he had to grant to his anxious and 
 inquiring brother practitioners. As one of the accepted 
 heads of the profession, his opinion justly and neces- 
 sarily carried great weight, and the counsel which, in 
 his own quiet but forcible way, from time to time, he 
 gave to those seeking it, added no small number of 
 names to the gradually increasing list of his party. 
 The author can testify from his own personal experience 
 to this fact. When any new aspect of the subject of 
 reform presented itself, manv times over the query was 
 put to him, " What does Mr!! Cartwright think ? " The 
 very decided shrinking from anything like undue pro- 
 minence — which Mr. Cart^\Tight has ever displayed, 
 would tend to make an impression on the mind of the 
 casual observer that he had not contributed much to 
 the cause of dental reform. Exactly the reverse of 
 this, however, has been the case. He has all along 
 been opposed to the showy display of help, and has 
 
2/0 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 found more satisfaction in quiet perseverance in the 
 promotion of the good cause. Another characteristic 
 also belongs to him, and that is his strong dislike of any 
 effort being made with "seK" as its centre. He is for 
 doing as much good as possible with the smallest 
 amount of notoriety and observation. This is a high 
 quality, and is justly esteemed by men whose judgment 
 is of any worth. Wliile very willing to co-operate with 
 his fellow-practitioners, Mr. Cartwright, nevertheless, 
 invariably thinks for himself. With an astute mind, 
 and long and varied experience on which to rely, he 
 has always an independent opinion to offer, based on 
 his own views of the subject in hand. It is not a 
 matter of surprise that he has not always subscribed to 
 the propositions of others, nor felt it his duty to act in 
 the closest accord with them. Mr. Cartwright is not 
 demonstrative, but is, nevertheless, exceedingly resolute. 
 He is not to be shaken from what he conceives to be a 
 sound position because those around him do not actu- 
 ally agree with him. He can well afford to be now 
 and then in a minority upon a popular question, wait- 
 ing patiently until time and circumstance concur to 
 substantiate his views. Whatever may be the matter 
 under consideration, Mr. Cartwright cheerfully gives it 
 his best attention ; and all concerned can rely upon his 
 scientific and thoroughly practical knowledge being 
 brought to bear upon it with precision and discrimi- 
 nation, and the question discussed with courtesy and 
 kindly spirit. 
 
 Mr. Cartwright was one of the first honorary sec- 
 retaries of the Odontological Society, acting in that 
 capacity in conjunction with Mr. Tomes and Mr. T. A. 
 Eogers. In the year 1863 he was called to the presi- 
 dent's chair, and under his auspices the society passed 
 through a most pleasant and useful session. When the 
 Dental Hospital of London was proposed to be founded, 
 Mr. Cartwright was one of those supporters of the scheme 
 who willingly gave both time and money to mature 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 2Ji 
 
 and launcli it. He became the first lecturer on dental 
 surgery and pathology, and the value of his contribu- 
 tions to the education of the students cannot be over- 
 stated. As one of the dental surgeons to that institution, 
 the young men intrusted to his care soon found in him 
 a careful scientific teacher and skilful operator. In the 
 extracting-room, the extraordinary facility with which, 
 under proper circumstances, the " elevator " could be 
 used was frequently demonstrated. As far as the ^Titer 
 has had the opportunity of seeing, this instrument has 
 never been more adroitly employed than by Mr. Cart- 
 wiight. From the first until the present time the ofiice 
 of treasurer to the medical staff has been filled by him, 
 and always with business-like ability and urbanity. 
 
 When the testimonial to Mr. Tomes was decided 
 upon, Mr. Cartwright was chairman of the committee for 
 organising the presentation of the gift, and worked for 
 its complete success in a most energetic and laudably 
 unselfish spirit. It was an occasion when, with many, 
 an entirely opposite disposition might have easily mani- 
 fested itseK ; but Mr. Cartwright set himself entirely on 
 one side, and with admirable disinterestedness laboured 
 to focus all honour upon his brother practitioner. Those 
 who were present at the public dinner which preceded 
 the presentation, and subsequently listened to Mr. 
 Cartwright's remarks prior to the gift being offered by 
 him to Mr. Tomes, will not easily forget the manly 
 sentiments and high praise which characterised his 
 entire speech. Without the faintest tinge of fiattery, he 
 said all that could be said in testimony of the appreci- 
 ation he and others felt of Mr. Tomes' efforts to benefit 
 the profession, and said it, moreover, well. 
 
 In the same quiet, unselfish way Mr. Cartwright has 
 worked whenever and wherever he could for the general 
 benefit throughout the reform movement. If he could 
 have his will, no retrograde step or compromise with 
 those who may be content with present attainments 
 should be made. He is a firm behever in a thorough 
 
2/2 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 professional education in every department. His 
 motto may be said to be, " Onward and Upward." The 
 liigh position which Mr. Cartwright deservedly occupies 
 has been the result of steady persevering diligence. 
 There has been no " royal road " with him, and conse- 
 quently he has no faith in short cuts, or bye-paths 
 either, in professional life. 
 
 As soon as the curriculum in connection with the 
 licentiateship was established by the council of the 
 College of Surgeons, the authorities at King's College 
 Hospital took action, and determined to appoint a pro- 
 fessor of dental surgery in their institution. Mr. Cart- 
 wright had for many years acted as dental surgeon at 
 King's College Hospital, and the council were wise 
 enough to appoint, and fortunate enough to secure, this 
 gentleman to wear the professor's gown, and fill the 
 professor's chair at their hospital. It was an honourable 
 and exceptional post, and, it need hardly be added, was 
 thoroughly well filled by Mr. Cartwright. King's 
 College was to be congratulated on being the first to 
 inaugurate such an of&ce, and Mr. Cartwright on being 
 so unhesitatingly chosen to it. In the year 1864 he 
 was requested to dehver the usual introductory address 
 on the opening of the session in October. The student 
 of to-day would do well to take heed to the advice 
 given then. The concluding remarks of that speech are 
 sufiiciently interesting, true, and instructive to bear 
 quotation in this place, not only for the benefit of the 
 young learner, but also as throwing a clear light upon 
 Mr. Cartwright's character and sentiments. " If you," 
 he said, " at the end of your probation have taken wise 
 advantage of the opportunities for acquiring informa- 
 tion, practical and otherwise, afforded you here and at 
 the hospital, you will find that the terrors of examina- 
 tion will be softened, if not altogether lost upon you, 
 and you will not be of the number of those who com- 
 plain of questions put by, or the manner and address of, 
 those who have to examine. But study terminates not 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 27^ 
 
 /\5 
 
 witli student life. As the youth at a bound changes to 
 man, as he passes from school to college — where the 
 sterner and real duties of life begin, of which his school 
 days were but preparatory foreshadowings — so will you 
 all find, when your work is ended here, the ordeal of 
 examinations passed and diplomas and degrees obtained, 
 that much is still to be learned ; more, indeed, than 
 could be learned in a life infinitely longer than that 
 which is permitted us. Science never stands still, and 
 never will be exhausted. Thousands of intellects have 
 been at work, adding their mite to the great end of un- 
 ravelling the mystery and difficulties which surroimd, 
 and in making understandable the laws which rule this 
 world of ours and all that is in it, upon it, and about it ; 
 and yet when they have succumbed to the immutable 
 laws which in life they had been so busy endeavour- 
 ing to comprehend, how much remains for those who 
 succeed them to think upon, to discover, and to write 
 about ! "Well may we exclaim, ' These are Thy glorious 
 works. Parent of good, Almighty ! ' It is our mission 
 to maintain and increase our store of knowledge, for 
 our own good, and for the benefit of our fellow-men. 
 In the endeavour to fathom the secret and mysterious 
 phenomena which give life, ^dtahty, and animation to 
 all around us, and to arrive at a comprehension of in- 
 animate things which are above, beneath, and about us, 
 we are wending our way nearer to Him whose wisdom 
 fashioned and arranged them all so perfectly as no 
 human artificer ever fashioned anything. And when 
 the day shall arrive when the hidden secrets shall be 
 revealed — and it may be long ere such a revelation is 
 permitted man — vnll the harmonious simplicity, which 
 may probably be found to govern animate and inanimate 
 creation, cause a doubt as to the majestic nature of the 
 design, or on the divinity of the Designer ? I cannot 
 conceive a reason why the inquiry into natural laws 
 and the endeavour to reconcile to our understandincj 
 things at present difQ.cult or impossible of explanation, 
 
 s 
 
274 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 slioiilcl tempt any one for a moment to doubt fundamental 
 truths wliicli have been handed down to us from asje to 
 age for ages, and which our instincts tell us must be true, 
 and which alone can form the buhvark which ensure our 
 happiness here, and give us hope for that which is to 
 be hereafter. It can in no way improve or conduce to 
 social happiness or the world's benefit to allow hasty 
 theories or metaphysical speculations, which mark some 
 modern investigations into the world's existence or pre- 
 historic evidences of the origin of man and animals, to 
 disturb our religious faith, or to bring down the majesty 
 of the ]\Iost High to the level of the notions of earth. 
 Doubts, indiherence, or total disregard or disbelief, will 
 not be likely to make man better, or tend to the foster- 
 ing of those qualities which, from the highest sense, 
 make us do and act well towards one another, l^o ; 
 let us all use the intellects God has given us to inves- 
 tigate to the utmost His works, for that is our province 
 and our duty — a duty we owe Him, and in our sphere 
 of science we owe to suffering humanity. But let me 
 warn you never to be carried off your balance by any 
 false notions or subtle doctrines, for they have surged 
 to the surface periodically for centuries past, and been 
 as often proved and condemned as worthless ; or in an 
 over-estimate of talent and eager search into material 
 science, be tempted to lay aside belief or ignore religi- 
 ous responsibility; but ever remember that the one, 
 properly estimated, will conduct nearer to the other. 
 And let us one and all bear in our minds the signi- 
 ficance attached to the three words which, in so small 
 a sentence, convey so much meaning, and which con- 
 stitute the college motto — Sancte et sapienter!' 
 
 This was, and still is, healthy food for young, and, to 
 an extent, untainted minds. The dental profession is 
 fortunate, and ought to consider itself happy, in having 
 such a teacher in its midst, whose whole professional 
 career has been an exemplification and practical illus- 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 2/5 
 
 tration of the sentiments, wMcli lie thus courageously 
 invited others to accept and apply. 
 
 Mr. Cartwright was duly appointed one of the exa- 
 miners at the dental board of the Eoyal College of 
 Surgeons, and, with faithfulness and kindness blended, 
 performed his duties during the allotted term. Some 
 time since he relinquished the lectureship at the Lon- 
 don School of Dental Surgery, and also his post as 
 dental surgeon at the Dental Hospital of London ; but 
 there is not another member of the profession more 
 deeply interested in the daily progress achieved by the 
 body at large, or more willing to give valuable assist- 
 ance in promoting its true interests than he. Mr. 
 Cartwright has done much, in his own unostentatious 
 way, from the commencement of the movement which 
 has resulted in the present recognised status and corre- 
 sponding privilege as its sequence, and there can be no 
 doubt whatever that he will continue to be its true and 
 sincere friend as long as power and opportunity may 
 last. 
 
2/6 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 
 
 ME. DE MORGAN 
 
 If patient continuance in well-doing be recognised in 
 professional as in social life as an evidence of worth in 
 the individual so acting, then no one who is or has 
 "been connected with the progress of dental reform, at 
 least since the Dental Hospital of London was estab- 
 lished, can hope to have a larger meed of grateful 
 recoo-nition clusterino; round his name than can Mr. 
 Campbell De Morgan, unhappily for the medical and 
 dental profession ahke, now removed by death. This 
 indefatigable and untiring friend to the latter body was 
 first identified with it through his joint scientific ex- 
 amination on the structure of bone with Mr. Tomes. 
 Eor many years past eminent as a surgeon, Mr. De 
 Morgan came to be well kDOwn to the dentists of this 
 country on account of his connection with the above- 
 named hospital. He was the first ax^pointed chairman 
 of its managing committee in 1858, and with but a 
 slight exception retained that post up to the time of 
 his lamented decease. The amount of benefit that has 
 thus been conferred upon the charity is not easy to 
 calculate. The value of clear and comprehensive judg- 
 ment in the direction of the affairs of a public hospital 
 needs no enforcement. Safely to guide it through any 
 and all crises it may be compelled to undergo is a 
 by no means easy task. Conditions of this sort, the 
 Dental Hospital, in common with all others, has had to 
 sustain, and those who have held official positions in 
 connection with it are fully aware of the permanent 
 good which has accrued from the fact of Mr. De 
 Morgan having been at the helm of affairs. His fore- 
 sight and exemplary prudence were alone equalled by his 
 assiduity and excellent qualification for direction. Men 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 2/7 
 
 of liigli position in all the departments of science and 
 art have ever and anon shown breadth of sympathy 
 with the collateral branches of the profession with 
 which they have been engaged, and, therefore, the 
 fact that Mr. De Mercian oave so mnch time and 
 attention to the Dental Hospital of London is not 
 here mentioned on account of its singularity. The 
 statement that ]ie was so persistently helpful to this 
 branch of surgery is made in order that his kindness 
 thus manifested may be duly recorded, and that the 
 dental profession may know that he was one of its 
 substantial benefactors. 
 
 Mr. De ]\Iorgan was one of those c|uiet, unobtrusive 
 workers in a good cause whose valuable assistance was 
 of all the deeper worth from the method he employed 
 in rendering it. The very opposite of so many who pro- 
 pose to confer benefit, but claim the sound of trumpet 
 or some general recognition as they take each step, this 
 worthy and generous- spirited friend gave time and in- 
 fluence, through a succession of years to an effort which 
 could neither expect nor claim either the one or the 
 other from him, contented with the conviction that he 
 had been enabled to contribute to the success of an 
 enterprise which he felt merited it. "V\Tien the names 
 of showy benefactors have faded from the memory, or 
 perished altogether, that of Mr. De Morgan will be held 
 in fresh and fragrant remembrance by all whose judg- 
 ment is of any worth. His appearance at the com- 
 mittee of management of the Dental Hospital of London 
 was always an occasion of warm and respectful greeting. 
 His genial disposition invariably shed brightness all 
 around him, while his quiet wit was always sure to 
 tell. With marked urbanity, but with equal firmness, 
 he directed the propositions and discussions coming 
 before him in his official connection with that institu- 
 tion. His views on difficult questions were remarkable 
 for their soundness, and under his presidency there was 
 an admirably skilful pilotage of the hospital affairs. 
 
2/8 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 In tlie conviction that he was enabled to contribute 
 something to the success of this institution, he found 
 both the stimulus to work and the satisfaction of 
 labour. He was distinguished throughout his entire 
 career by a peculiar reticence concerning himself; what 
 might, indeed, be fairly called an unwillingness to do or 
 say anything which might in an overt way contribute 
 to his own advance- — a sort of lethargy in regard to his 
 personal interests. But what his friends could not suc- 
 ceed in inducing him to do in this direction, they had 
 no trouble in effectino^ when the benefits accruing; from 
 his efforts would fall to the lot of others. Hence his 
 unwearied exertions in connection with the dental pro- 
 fession. With such a leader as his close and familiar 
 friend Mr. Tomes, he seemed to derive a constant plea- 
 sure in the work in which that gentleman was so ardently 
 engaged. 
 
 The profession is indebted to Mr. Tomes for the in- 
 fiu.ence he exercised upon Mr. De Morgan, and through 
 which his co-operation was secured. That which still 
 further enhanced the value of the aid he gave so cheer- 
 fully, and for so long a time, was the fact that his 
 health was by no means strong. His conduct through- 
 out was an instance and exemplification of a circum- 
 stance often seen, that where the vigorous and robust 
 fail to confer any palpable and permanent benefit upon 
 their generation, the feeble and weak frequently suc- 
 ceed sim^^ly by their self-denial and devotion. Every 
 office and act which Mr. De Morgan undertook and 
 performed was marked by the unaffected courtesy 
 which distinguishes the true gentleman. However any 
 sitting at the same council-table might feel constrained 
 to differ from his views, no one could for a moment 
 suspect or fear anything to offend the most sensitive 
 spirit. It indeed was pleasant to watch his presidency 
 in this direction, so different from many who, when " in 
 the. chair/' make the authority of their position felt. 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 2/9 
 
 He was a warm supporter of Mr. Saunders in tlie matter 
 of the transfer of the hospital, and in every other cir- 
 cnmstance which seemed likely to promote its permanent 
 efficiency. When Mr. De Morgan passed away for ever 
 there was a feehng of deep sorrow in the hearts of all 
 who had been privileged to know him. 
 
2S0 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 
 
 ME. C. J. FOX. 
 
 Although Mr. Fox has taken an active part in dental 
 affairs from the year 1856 np to the present time, his 
 name is better known, perhaps, as that of the editor of 
 " The British Journal of Dental Science " than in any 
 other way. Mr. Fox lays claim to an hereditary con- 
 nection with the medical profession, and, with a by no 
 means unjustifiable pride, points to the fact that he is 
 the eldest son of Charles James Fox, M.D., whose father 
 and grandfather were also medical practitioners. When 
 Mr. Rymer summoned the first meeting of the dental 
 profession at the London Tavern, in September 1856, 
 Mr. Fox was one of the members then present. He 
 subsequently was elected to, and held the offices of 
 curator and librarian to the CoUeoje of Dentists of 
 England, and was also chosen one of the honorary 
 secretaries of that institution, in conjunction with 
 Mr. Eymer and the author. When the Odontological 
 Society of London was in process of formation, he was 
 of the number of the first fifty gentlemen invited by 
 the executive to associate themselves with it, and was 
 duly elected a member. It is due to him to state, that 
 as this invitation came to him at a time when he had 
 already identified himself with the rival institute or 
 college, he wrote a frank and explanatory letter to the 
 council of the Odontological Society, setting forth his 
 views concerning the objects and aims of the promoters 
 of the Dental College, af&rming his concurrence there- 
 with, and expressing his wish to be connected with it 
 as a thoroughly educational institution. His statements 
 on this subject were considered by the Odontologists 
 not to necessarily invalidate the proposed membership, 
 and the result was his election by that society. Since 
 that time Mr. Fox has served in the society as a member 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 2-8 1 
 
 of the council, as honorary secretary during three years, 
 and as honorary foreign secretary for the same term. 
 Up to the time when the celebrated amalgamation 
 question was brought forward, he fulfilled the offices 
 allotted to him at the College of Dentists, and threw 
 a considerable amount of energy into the departments 
 he was called to superintend. "When, however, the 
 important attempt at union with the Odontological 
 Society failed, and some sixty members of the Dental 
 College resigned their connection with it, Mr. Fox 
 identified himself with the seceders. From that moment 
 he felt that the original intentions of the founders of 
 the College of Dentists were being set aside by the 
 council and the members together, and very zealously 
 protested, on several occasions, against many of the acts 
 of the college party, endeavouring by these means to 
 test the legality of the various proceedings in Cavendish 
 Square, and this to the utmost of his power. It is need- 
 less to say that, with this particular section of the pro- 
 fession, under such circumstances, Mr. Dox was in bad 
 odour. He was very resolute, however, in the steps 
 he then took. Not only by his personal public remon- 
 strance in the midst of the college meetings, but also 
 by protests printed in the " British Journal of Dental 
 Science,'' and by pamphlets as well, he endeavoured 
 continuously to neutralise the various acts of which 
 he so loudly complained. It would be difficult to say 
 how much or how little these efforts amounted to 
 when considered as the instrumentalities of an indi\'i- 
 dual member against the College of Dentists at that 
 time. They served to make both the council and the 
 members of the college think v/ith more caution 
 upon what was then being proceeded with, while the 
 opposite party felt that internal dissension boded no 
 good for the independent institution. One thing was 
 very evident, namely, that Mr. Fox had decided views 
 upon the matter then in hand, and, moreover, possessed 
 sufficient determination to make them known. Even- 
 
282 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 tually these attacks ceased, and when in due time the 
 Dental Hospital of London was about to be founded, 
 Mr. Fox became interested in it as a public charity and 
 school of instruction to dental students, and when the 
 managing committee of the hospital resolved upon ap- 
 pointing assistant dental surgeons to a place on its 
 staff, Mr. Fox applied for that office, and was one of the 
 first six gentlemen appointed. After some years of 
 service in this subordinate capacity, he became one of 
 the senior medical officers, which position he still re- 
 tains. ISTot very long since Mr. Fox, believing that 
 the full membership of the Eoyal College of Surgeons 
 gave an improved social status to its possessor, submitted 
 to the necessary examination, and obtained that degree. 
 Although holding this distinction, he is, nevertheless, 
 one of the most strenuous advocates of the licentiate- 
 ship, which he maintains should be the first cjualification 
 sought for by the dental surgeon, as the truest evidence 
 of the holder's fitness to practise as a dentist. Mr. 
 Fox is a licentiate himself, having passed his examin- 
 ation at the Eoyal College of Surgeons to that end in 
 the year of the inauguration of the degree (i860). He 
 holds several public appointments, esteeming that of 
 dental surgeon to the Great l!»J'orthern Hospital — which 
 he received on that charity coming into existence in 
 1856 — and his present position as honorary secretary to 
 the medical committee of that hospital very highly. 
 The circumstance of a dentist actinc^ in the latter 
 capacity is certainly rare, if not absolutely unique, 
 among the hospital arrangements of the metropolis. 
 
 Throughout the many phases which the reform move- 
 ment has taken, Mr. Fox has invariably had his j)lace 
 and position, which, if not so prominent as some, have 
 been nevertheless very useful. He has willingly given 
 both time and energy to promote the cause in hand and 
 the prospective and permanent benefit of his professional 
 brethren, and considering that he labours, unfortu- 
 nately, under more than one physical difficulty, the 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 283 
 
 activity lie lias displayed, and the amount of work lie 
 lias been able to accomplisli, must be accounted all the 
 more creditable to Mm. His pen bas not been suffered 
 to be idle, for he has used it on several occasions, pub- 
 lishing his views upon passing subjects in pamphlets 
 issued from time to time, as he considered necessary 
 and useful to others around him. 
 
 Mr. Fox has also edited the "Transactions of the Odon- 
 to-Chirurgical Society of Edinburgh" since the establish- 
 ment of that society. It is now several years ago that he 
 succeeded to the management, and eventually to the pro- 
 prietorship, of the " British Journal of Dental Science." 
 With the columns of this periodical at his disposal and 
 under his control, he has availed himself of them as 
 channels or avenues by which he could state his ^T.ews 
 to his readers at least. He has been ever ready to 
 champion the cause of charity where there has been a 
 necessity for its practical exemplification — and in- 
 stances in this direction have not been absent — or 
 when suCTo^estions and counsels in its administration have 
 been wanting. As has been stated elsewhere, the pur- 
 pose of the author has been not to include any mention 
 of the "Manchester Movement," as it is familiarly called, 
 and, therefore, Mr. Tox's part in that movement is not 
 alluded to here. Journalism, with which j\Ir. Fox is so 
 closely identified, will be found under review in the 
 closing chapter of this work, and, therefore, that subject 
 is not further noticed in this short sketch. It will be 
 sufficient, perhaps, to say here, that in Mr. Fox the 
 dental profession in this country has a warm and 
 earnest friend, and to the extent of his power he has 
 proved his willingness to serve, through a succession of 
 years, in the endeavour to promote the best interests of 
 his brother practitioners. While all may not approve 
 or endorse his several views and acts, none can deny 
 him the tribute of a strong desire to help forward the 
 beneficial cause of substantial and real reform in the 
 dental nrofession. 
 
284 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 
 
 ME. W. A. HAEEISOK 
 
 It was on the occasion of the meetinc^ of the founders 
 of the Dental Hospital of London at the Medical 
 Society's rooms that the author first met Mr. Harrison. 
 His tall, spare figure and extremely courteous demean- 
 our were very impressive. Even his dress was notice- 
 able — adopting, as he did, the straight-cut coat with its 
 broad roll collar of the time of George lY. When he 
 addressed his brethren in the profession, his language 
 was well chosen, strictly correct in general and scien- 
 tific phraseology, sometimes didactic, and always precise. 
 Although full as to his matter, he avoided verbosity, 
 habitually spoke to the point, and scrupulously avoided 
 pedantry and display. Whenever he rose he always 
 commanded the immediate attention of his audience, 
 and was invariably listened to with the patience and 
 respect he so fully deserved. Peculiarly thoughtful, 
 his forecast and prudence displayed themselves on every 
 occasion. ISTo one could convict him of loose or specu- 
 lative ideas. What he advanced was invariably the 
 result of close study or well-attested experience, and 
 his counsel could always be relied upon for soundness. 
 One who knew him gave the writer the idea that he 
 would find him in official matters tedious to deal with. 
 This, however, so far as his experience went — and it 
 was very considerable — never once proved true. When 
 seated at the council or committee table, he ever 
 proved a kind and courteous adviser; and no one could 
 be brought into contact with Mr. Harrison without feel- 
 ing that he was in the presence of a highly-educated 
 gentleman. He had much to do with the drafting or 
 otherwise preparing the various documents which came 
 under the notice of the profession in connection with 
 the Odontological Society and the Dental Hospital of 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 285 
 
 London, and in all of these might be clearly traced the 
 impress of his careful and thoughtful mind. His 
 notions of order and correctness amounted, perhaps, at 
 times, to punctiliousness. If that can be considered a 
 fault, assuredly it was a good one, especially under such 
 circumstances as startino- new and altoo'ether untried 
 institutions. His opinion and advice upon many matters 
 were frequently sought, and a large amount of corre- 
 spondence consequently came before him. Woe to the 
 writer of any manuscript intended to meet the public 
 eye who used a comma instead of a semicolon, or 
 flourished his flowers of rhetoric before his eyes. One 
 dash of his pen disposed, in a moment, of all redim- 
 dancy and rhodomontade. A ruthless cutting down of 
 all superfluity was the invariable result in any faulty 
 sheet submitted to his critical consideration. He was 
 patient to listen to any and all reasons why this or that 
 sentence should stand as written, but if he thought 
 such reasons unsound, never hesitated, kindly but faith- 
 fully, to adduce his own for its abandonment. What- 
 ever he suggested or proposed was always introduced 
 with true and becoming modesty, and the result generally 
 was a willing deference to his judgment. 
 
 As an instance of his frankness the following; circum- 
 stance may be mentioned. It had fallen to the writer, 
 as honorary secretary to the Dental Hospital managing 
 committee, to correct an erroneous statement wliich 
 appeared in the public press concernmg that institu- 
 tion. The letter sent had been despatched between the 
 sittings of the committee, and, therefore, on the occasion 
 of its next meeting it had to be read for the approval, or 
 otherwise, of those present. Being very fatigued at the 
 time, the ^A^iter imagines the reading may have been 
 somewhat slovenly. Mr. Harrison, in his turn, spoke 
 concerning its purport ; and his opening remarks were to 
 the effect that he congratulated the committee on the 
 letter sent to the journal in question — '' a letter," he 
 added^ " infinitely better written than read" A quiet 
 
286 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 look towards the individual alluded to, and a good- 
 natured smile, effectually disarmed one of any irrita- 
 tion likely to be produced. The , kindly criticism was 
 doubtless both true and just. ]N"ot only was Mr. Har- 
 rison's judgment valuable, but his unsparing trouble and 
 willing sacrifice of time also were of great worth. 
 
 For some years he was part proprietor of the " British 
 Journal of Dental Science," and he cheerfully devoted 
 both time and labour towards making that publication 
 a success. One day out of the seven in each week was 
 invariably set apart for the purpose of carefully going 
 over the various papers and contributions to its pages, 
 correcting errors, and making the " copy " ready for the 
 printer's hand. Those who, like the writer, had to meet 
 him for the purpose of projecting any new arrangement, 
 or modifying or carrying out the plans already in exist- 
 ence, could not but notice his sagacity and excellent 
 common sense. 
 
 In his turn Mr. Harrison occupied the honourable 
 post of president of the Odontological Society ; and his 
 year of office was characterised by the stately and digni- 
 fied conduct necessary to the fulfilment of the proper 
 duties of the chair. Every one felt that his ardent love 
 for order would secure a series of sittings wherein each 
 member would have ample opportunity given him for 
 the due expression of his opinions upon any subject 
 before the meeting, while his scientific and thoroughly 
 practical knowledge would effectually prevent discus- 
 sion from drifting into the region of the frivolous, or 
 desultory chit-chat. To say that he was not only ear- 
 nest but ardent in the promulgation of every measure 
 having for its object the advancement and elevation of 
 the profession is to assert the merest truth. His unre- 
 mitting attention, for years, was cheerfully given to every 
 subject which was connected with the society and the 
 hospital alike, and to the last he was of the number of 
 those who laboured energetically for success in both 
 these directions. The true charm in all real labour was 
 
DENTAL REFORM 'IN GREAT BRITAIN. 28/ 
 
 distinctly manifested in his entire career, namely, unos- 
 tentatiousness. Mr. Harrison never once evinced a desire 
 to tlarust himself in front, but when called to that rank 
 and place, he occupied it willingly and with modesty. 
 
 For some time after the lamented decease of his 
 friend and colleague, Mr. Arnold Eogers, Mr. Harrison 
 held the office of treasurer to the Odontological Society. 
 He was one of the iirst elected dental surgeons to the 
 Dental Hospital, and the students there at that time 
 had every reason to be grateful for the instruction he 
 was so ready and pleased to impart. His pride and 
 ambition were to lay the foundation of things both deep 
 and strono\ Althouo'h he was aware that much of such 
 effort, both on his own part and that of other real 
 friends to the movement, would be doomed to remaui 
 unseen hereafter, he nevertheless freely worked in this 
 all-important direction with admirable zeal. The 
 younger members of our profession, who are now in 
 the enjoyment of the privileges which the improved 
 condition of things has brought to them, must be told, 
 and invited ever to remember, that to Mr. Harrison and 
 his unflagging assiduity they are deeply indebted. 
 
 In whatever position Mr. Harrison was placed, 
 whether as examiner at the dental board of the Eoyal 
 College of Surgeons, president of the Odontological 
 Society, treasurer of the same, trustee and dental 
 surgeon to the Dental Hospital of London, or con- 
 nected, as he was, with the management and proprietary 
 of the " British Journal of Dental Science," his energy 
 and disinterested devotion to the cause of professional 
 progress were remarkable. His decease, therefore, can 
 only be accounted as a very severe loss. The writer 
 most willingly testifies to the worth of the late Mr. 
 Harrison as a coadjutor and friend, knowing as he 
 does, from his intimate association with him in so 
 many departments of varied labours for the durable 
 benefit of the profession, that his valuable assistance 
 was of the highest order. Over and again, when in 
 
288 DEXTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 
 
 private and friendly intercourse with him, he had the 
 fullest opportunity of realising the deej) interest which 
 Mr. Harrison felt in the progress of dental reform, and 
 with what anxiety he watched the different indications 
 of success or failure in the steps which were being 
 taken towards securing for his brother practitioners, 
 and especially the younger members, a substantial and 
 elevated status. There was no occasion, when his 
 counsel or co-operation were required, that he refused, 
 to yield them; and wdth the greatest cheerfulness he 
 w^ould work out dry, and, to many, distasteful details 
 of the plans then in hand. His place at the committee 
 of management at the Dental Hospital of London was 
 never vacant, except, indeed, when illness precluded him 
 from taking it; and those who had occasion to meet him 
 there felt that his presence and support were a distinct 
 gain, esjDecially when difficult measures were before them. 
 He was peculiarly apt at logical sequences, and that 
 which in any proposition did not bear the trace of a 
 due effect being likely to follow upon a given cause he 
 made short work with, dismissing it from the region of 
 argument as a waste of valuable time. On the other 
 hand, no one could be more patient in investigation, or 
 more moderate in discussing any subject under con- 
 sideration. If he erred, it was in the direction of a too 
 close and critical sifting of all that constituted the case 
 in hand. This caution told against him with the more 
 impulsive around the table; but one of the results of Mr. 
 Harrison's many decisions was, that what he had ad- 
 vised or effected required little or no alteration, and 
 never needed to be done over agjain. Mr. Tomes, in 
 alluding to him in his second inaugural address, has 
 remarked that he " was born for public work," and this 
 is a concise but correct description of him. Certain it 
 is that, throughout the earlier stages of the reform 
 movement, when every step needed to be taken with 
 the utmost caution, few men could have been found to 
 do either the kind of work, or the amount of it, which 
 Mr. Harrison did so willingly, and, withal, so well. 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 289 
 
 MR R hepbue:^^. 
 
 Thronc^hout the entire effort to raise tlie status of the 
 dental profession, and among its truest workers and 
 supporters, there has been no more candid worker. 
 End no more sincere and disinterested coadjutor, 
 than Mr. Eobert Hepburn. This warm-hearted friend 
 to the dental body was among the number of those 
 who attended the public meeting called by Mr. 
 Eymer in September 1856. He was deeply interested 
 in the steps then proposed to be taken, and cordially 
 identified himseK with the collec^e movement. A seat 
 at the council was accorded to him, and the wisdom of 
 this course was soon manifested by the excellent ad\T.ce 
 and moderate but sound counsels he was at all times 
 so ready to offer. During the many discussions on the 
 multiplied and A^arious subjects which were brought 
 before the council, Mr. Hepburn was always to be relied 
 upon in advocating such a course as would ensure 
 the advance of the profession without endangering 
 its dignity either socially or otherwise. That which 
 savoured of rashness, or had a tendency to set aside the 
 just claims of the less-favoured members of the body, 
 Mr. Hepburn steadily and calmly opposed. While that 
 which was illiberal met with a distinct protest from 
 him, there was never the least occasion to fear that he 
 would support any measure which, either in its letter 
 or spirit, would lead to the acknowledgment of the un- 
 professional. He ever desired to make the very best of 
 such opportunities as were then occurring to secure for 
 the profession which he had so long and honourably 
 practised all the benefits which, through patient and 
 properly sustained effort and enterprise, coidd be ob- 
 tained. His" appearance, therefore, in his proper place 
 was always welcomed; and those who laboured with 
 
 T 
 
290 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 him in those early days of hard work and self-denial 
 felt their hands strengthened by his presence and kindly 
 spirit. His influence was cheerfully lent to every just 
 and honourable course, and no one who was associated 
 with him could avoid feeling that his permanent and 
 persistent desu^e was so to act that, in after years, each 
 step then taken could be recalled to memory and re- 
 flected upon without self-censure or chagrin. 
 
 The aspect of dentistry prior to the plan proposed by 
 Mr. Eymer was a great discomfort to him, and he 
 therefore very willingly lent his aid to what he con- 
 ceived was a very laudable attempt to place it on a 
 proper footing. He was one of those who considered 
 an independent institution was not only possible, but 
 highly beneficial. As the scheme in its earlier career 
 developed, Mr. Hepburn felt sure that by its ultimate 
 completion an opportunity would be given to the future 
 dentist of qualifying liimself properly to practise in this 
 useful and honourable department of surgery. ]^o one 
 more than he realised the degTadation which dentistry 
 was suffering from by the want of accurate knowledge 
 by those who had so largely entered its ranks, and none 
 more than he felt the reflection upon all true j)racti- 
 tioners which comes from the impudent assumption of 
 the charlatan. His advocacy, therefore, was always 
 strongly for education. That which seemed to him the 
 true remedy for the many evils apparent to all, was a 
 full acquaintance on the part of every dentist with the 
 principles on which dental practice, in its highest and 
 truest sense, should be conducted. 
 
 With these views he energetically associated himself 
 with those who felt with him in the joint effort to 
 establish the College of Dentists of England, that being 
 in Ms opinion the best method of the hour for their 
 practical realisation. 
 
 In due time, when the amalgamation of the two 
 societies was under consideration, Mr. Hepburn was 
 unanimously chosen as one of the college delegates to 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 29 1 
 
 negotiate that important measure. The council of the 
 college and the members generally were confident that 
 in his hands their honour and then- interests would be 
 inviolably secure. Whatever course events might take, 
 there was no reason to doubt that that which was 
 beneficial, just, and to the point, would have in him a 
 most strenuous advocate. Mr. Hepburn was not a 
 member of the Eoyal College of Surgeons, but as a 
 practical and successful member of the profession he 
 was fully qualified to speak on all vital questions, and 
 fitly represent the large number of dentists who prac- 
 tised without the diploma of that body. The rejection 
 of the terms which had been arrived at, and duly 
 submitted to the College of Dentists, left him and his 
 colleagues no other choice than to resign, with them, 
 his official position. The failure in the attempt which 
 he and they had made was a great disappointment to 
 him ; he justly considering that it was the only oppor- 
 tunity likely ever to occur for the mutual blending of 
 the divided interests of the profession. His services, 
 however, were fortunately not to be lost. By a very 
 natural process Mr. Hepburn became associated with 
 the Odontological Society, which, under the circum- 
 stances, he believed would eventually bring about that 
 order of things for which from the first he had been 
 contending. He foresaw that the Dental College, 
 deprived as it soon was of a large number of influen- 
 tial supporters by the adverse vote on the amalgamation 
 question, would ultimately fail to command the sup- 
 port of the profession. It was evident to him that the 
 success of the Odontological Society's scheme, as set 
 forth in the celebrated memorial, was simply a matter 
 of time. 
 
 Althouo-h not aoTeeinc^ with the memorialists in the 
 manner in which they had endeavoured to obtain the 
 ear of the council of the College of Surgeons, he yet 
 preferred using such means as were likely to secure 
 the important educational advantages their plan pro- 
 
292 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 posed. If those advantages could not be obtained by 
 an independent institution, rather than sacrifice them 
 he would identify himself with another method. This 
 he accordingly did when the proper opportunity offered 
 itself. Through all the various stages which, since the 
 year 1856, the dental profession has been called to 
 pass, he has taken an active and influential part. No 
 time or energy which he has had to bestow have been 
 withheld by him. Hardly one occasion when the 
 dental body has been called together has he been 
 absent, and the opinions he has had to offer have ever 
 been such as every gentleman wishing well to the 
 practitioner of dentistry has been glad to hear and accept. 
 He was one of the founders of the Dental Hospital of 
 London, has sat frequently on the committee of 
 management, and Avas elected to the of&ce of Dental 
 Surgeon and Lecturer on Mechanical Dentistry from 
 the first. In both these departments Mr. Hepburn 
 admirably filled his post. As lecturer on the above- 
 mentioned subject no one could have been better 
 selected than he. With an immense experience in 
 this department, and with a most pleasant method of 
 imparting instruction, the students, during his term of 
 of&ce, had abundant cause for thankfulness as from 
 themselves, and of congratulation by others. His com- 
 prehensive lectures were followed up regularly by 
 practical demonstrations in mechanical dentistry. At 
 his suggestion the upper rooms of the hospital were 
 fitted up as a laboratory, and there, with his own private 
 assistant to aid him, he called the young men together 
 around him, and personally instructed them in all the 
 departments of the dental workroom. He ever held 
 that the student should pass a definite term at the 
 bench. A most skilful workman himself, he knew the 
 great value of an adroit use of the tools and instru- 
 ments of the laboratory. He aimed at perfecting his 
 pupils in the correct manipulation of the materials 
 before them, and if they did not succeed in producing 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 293 
 
 artificial dentures of the best construction, and wrouo-lit 
 upon the truest principles of mechanism, it could not 
 be said that they lacked the necessary opportunity and 
 teaching. At considerable personal and pecuniary 
 expense he placed within the students' reach every 
 article with which they had to become familiar, and led 
 them forward in all the details of true mechanical 
 dentistry. 
 
 It was a pleasant sight for any friend to the profes- 
 sion to go and see these gatherings at Soho Square. 
 The young men, attired in true workman fashion, were 
 actively engaged in every conceivable part of dental 
 work. Metal, bone, vulcanite, each and all in turn 
 were placed before them, and some very admirable 
 results were from time to time presented as the effect 
 of their skill and his supervision and direction. To Mr. 
 Hepburn all this was a labour of love. ISTothing seemed 
 to give him more pleasure or real gratification than 
 mtnessing these embryo dentists endeavouring to perfect 
 themselves in their art. His sentiment appeared to be 
 " Knowledge is not how much is known, but how much is 
 thoroughly understood." He strove with a ready cheerful- 
 ness to impart instruction in such a way that the learner 
 might be able, not only to work well, but also intelli- 
 gently. The result of his connection with the students 
 at the hospital was a feeling on their part of more than 
 respect for such a teacher. On his part there was a 
 constant and unvarying demonstration of the deepest 
 interest in their progress. The warm shake of the hand 
 with each and all whenever they met, and the readiness 
 which was so constantly e^dnced to answer any question 
 on the subject before them in the most practical way 
 as those inquiries were put to him, served to knit 
 together both teacher and taught in the pleasantest of 
 bonds. 
 
 A prominent characteristic in Mr. Hepburn is his 
 belief in the power for good which lies in the direction 
 of social intercoui^se. Singularly free from all ostenta- 
 
294 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 tiousness, lie is always ready to mingle with those who 
 have not yet trodden the path of experience, and cheer- 
 fully to impart to them out of his knowledge acquired 
 by many years of practice. It may be safely said that 
 no young man has ever applied to him for guidance in 
 professional matters without receiving, both promptly 
 and fully, that which he sought. The united testimony 
 of all who have had to meet Mr. Hepburn in these 
 relationships is to prove that he is not only a thoroughly 
 capable instructor, but a friend to every honest and 
 honourable practitioner. As soon as the charter of the 
 Eoyal College of Surgeons had been altered so as to 
 admit dentists to examination, he submitted himself to 
 the new ordeal, and received his degree. This same 
 proof of efficiency he, with many others, has firmly held 
 to be the distinguishing mark of capability for every 
 dentist. Whilst not ignoring any other distinction, he 
 affirms, and rightly, that the licentiateship in dental 
 surgery should be first possessed, whatever else may 
 follow. 
 
 For many years Mr. Hepburn w^as chairman of the 
 medical staff at the Dental Hospital of London, and 
 under his genial and prudent guidance the affairs of 
 that department have been conducted in the most 
 pleasant and profitable manner. From the time that 
 several gentlemen, who had formerly been on the exe- 
 cutive of the College of Dentists, thought it best to 
 secede from that institution and join the Odontological 
 Society, his connection with the latter has been un- 
 broken. Mr. Hepburn has sat at its council, been on 
 the list of vice-presidents, and. in the year 1870 was 
 called to the honourable position of president. 
 
 Throudiout the entire movement in the direction of 
 professional reform, he has steadily laboured for union 
 and advance. Division and strife have been to him a 
 source of unfeigned regret ; and whosoever seeks to 
 loosen the ties already effected, or by whatever means 
 the bonds of union are sought to be shaken, neither the 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 295 
 
 individual nor tlie purpose can ever hope to receive sym- 
 pathy from him. The abandonment of the Licentiates' 
 annual dinner was a matter of regret to Mr. Hepburn, 
 for he ever felt it to be an opportunity for the renewal 
 of old friendships, and the pleasant formation of new 
 ones, among a profession which, by its constitution, 
 does not possess a redundancy of means whereby prac- 
 titioners can personally become known to one other. 
 
 His kindly disposition has more than once shown itself 
 towards the students at the hospital by his generously 
 entertaining them at his own house. He availed him- 
 self of these op^oortunities to speak to the young men 
 on the duties of professional life, giving them much 
 excellent counsel as to what should characterise honour- 
 able practice, and encouraging them to persevere dili- 
 gently in their studies, that they might be thoroughly 
 qualified to fill the various positions to which they 
 might eventually be called. Having had to contend 
 with the disagreeableness which beset the profession 
 when it was in its isolated and subsequently divided 
 state, Mr. Hepburn is one of those who heartily rejoice 
 in its altered and amended condition. He has made 
 sacrifices to enable him to take his part — which has 
 been no mean one — in the general advance ; and no one 
 can outvie him in the desire to see dentistry in this 
 country thoroughly consolidated in the elevated posi- 
 tion to which it is fairly entitled. The writer can 
 say that with Mr. Hepburn he has passed some of the 
 happiest hours, both in private and official life, and 
 that in a very large circle of professional friends he is 
 highly and deservedly respected. 
 
296 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 
 
 ME. J. H. PAEKINSOK 
 
 Tlie name of Parkinson, as it stands connected witli tlie 
 practice of dentistry, is one of the oldest, if not actually 
 the oldest, in the profession. This worthy member of 
 a thoroughly worthy and highly-respected family of 
 dentists had long been in practice w^hen his name 
 began to stand forth more prominently on account of 
 his public association with the reform movement. 
 Although representing the " old school," he had sagacity 
 enough to perceive the indications of progress, and 
 energy sufficient unhesitatingly to identify himself with 
 it. He set an example in this direction which it would 
 have been well for some others at that time to have 
 followed. ]\ir. Parkinson was not a member of the 
 Poyal College of Surgeons, doubtless from reasons 
 cogent enough to himself, but he was one of the signa- 
 taries of the celebrated memorial, his name standing at 
 the foot of that document next to that of the late Mr. 
 Cartwright. His deep interest in the result of that 
 petition was evinced on all occasions when the meetings 
 connected with it were held ; and no sooner did the 
 College of Surgeons grant the request therein contained, 
 and open its doors to dental practitioners, than he came 
 forward, on the first day when examination was to be 
 held, and submitted to the ordeal. At that time the 
 addition of such a name was of oreat value, showing as 
 it did his hearty concurrence in the new refjime, and 
 exemplifying his faith in the beneficial results so likely 
 to accrue from it. The writer remembers the fact of 
 this step on Mr. Parkinson's part being pointed to and 
 quoted as a stimulus to the hesitating and faint-hearted. 
 When, in due course, the Dental Hospital of London 
 Avas established, Mr. Parkinson became, by unanimous 
 request, the treasurer of that institution, which office he 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 29/ 
 
 filled to the time of his much-regretted decease, with all 
 the courtesy coupled with business ability which was to 
 be expected from him. Of a singularly modest spirit, 
 and quiet, kindly heart, those who had the pleasure and 
 privilege of association with him felt constrained to 
 show him the greatest respect. He was verily worthy 
 of it. His long standing in the profession, together 
 with the position accorded to him there, secured for 
 him a deferential hearing whenever he had a communi- 
 cation to make to his brethren, and all alike felt that 
 the true interests of the profession were safe in. his 
 hands. The author had many opportunities of knowing 
 Mr. Parkinson's views on the subject of the profession's 
 prospects of advance, about which he entertained no 
 doubt. "Whenever it was possible for him to take part 
 in any of the meetings held for this purpose, he did not 
 fail to unite with his brethren ; and although fully 
 sharing the views of the party with which he had 
 identified himself, he still spoke kindly of the other 
 side, and had firm faith that sooner or later the 
 general confusion and conflict of opinion which for so 
 long prevailed would eventuate in a clearer atmosphere, 
 and a distinct benefit to every honourable practitioner. 
 In the year 1858 Mr. Parkinson was called to the 
 president's chair of the Odontological Society, and his 
 term of ofl&ce was marked with both urbanity and 
 efficiency in the post thus filled by him. Up to the 
 time of his decease, which took place in 1865, he fully 
 associated himself with the strenuous efforts to improve 
 the status of the profession he had so long and success- 
 fully practised, and to the end of his career was ac- 
 knowledged and felt to be a true, disinterested, and warm- 
 hearted friend to all around him. He lived to see the 
 pacification of the opposing parties in the amalgama- 
 tion of the College of Dentists with the Odontological 
 Society, and fully shared in the general feeling of con- 
 tentment which that event produced. 
 
2g8 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 ME. JAMES EOBINSON. 
 
 More than once this gentleman's name has been 
 mentioned in connection with the dental reform move- 
 ment, and in referring to it again specifically there is 
 a difficnlty in selecting a characteristic to begin with. 
 Mr. Eobinson was one of those men who have much of 
 the paradoxical about them. Hence he puzzled many 
 who were not actually in the closest association with 
 him. He possessed a fiery temper, yet he could stop 
 in the streets and stoop to relieve a little child crying 
 in its poverty and distress. He had the most resolute 
 of wills, yet he was open to conviction, and could be 
 guided by those who knew how to exercise prudence 
 with their counsel. The practice of his profession was 
 pursued by him with all the energy and ardour of one 
 who made gold the great idol of his heart, nevertheless, 
 possessing ample means, as the result of his indefatigable 
 industry, few could vie with him in liberality, and 
 none could surpass him in the joy springing from hos- 
 pitality or any act of benevolence. There are those 
 still living who can testify to the cordial welcome he 
 frequently extended to them as brother practitioners 
 when sitting at his well-spread table. To see him 
 hurrying into town from his charming home at Kenton, 
 near Harrow, during the season, he might have been 
 fairly classed as the keenest of business men, one to 
 whom occupation afforded the only congenial method of 
 spending the whole of his time ; but throughout the 
 entire profession it may be doubted Avhether one could 
 be found who put off the harness at the close of the day 
 more eagerly, or enjoyed the freedom from the demands 
 of practice with more boyish iiilarity than he. His 
 position had been for a long time an acknowledged one, 
 but he did not — as some have done — ^repudiate the 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 299 
 
 means oy which lie had attained it. He frankly spoke 
 to his immediate friends upon the way which he had 
 taken, and how he had been able to succeed in elevating 
 himself to what he then was. To the writer, at least, 
 he often opened his heart, and, if it were necessary, much 
 of the struggle of his early days could be given here in 
 minute detail. Certainly his path had not been strewn 
 with flowers. 
 
 Mr. Eobinson had succeeded in obtaining a clientelle 
 which included persons of the highest rank, but he 
 nevertheless thought of, and acted kindly to, the humbler 
 classes, whether in his profession or out of it. It could 
 not be said that it was the abundance or the bril- 
 liancy of his talents which secured him so much success. 
 He had neither the one nor the other of these. It was 
 rather the diligent use of the moderate quahties which 
 he possessed that brought his name so prominently to 
 the front. In this respect he was an example which 
 the young aspirant to a recognised professional position 
 may hopefully imitate. As a rule, he was quick to per- 
 ceive what he considered his opportunity, and equally 
 prompt to take advantage of, and act upon it, with all the 
 force he had at his command. Mr. Eobinson was a good 
 dentist, and knew it, but was not reticent on the subject 
 of how he had been helped in his career. Conversing 
 on this on one occasion at the writer's house, he took 
 the opportunity of describing a difficult case for gold 
 fining, and then said, "JSTow, Hill, if you cannot make 
 such a plug as that, I am not the least surprised : there 
 was a time when I could not have done it to save my 
 life ; but I can do it now, and if you choose to learn, I 
 will show you how to do it too. The truth is, an American 
 dentist taught me to put in gold plugs ; ever since 1 
 have been very thankful to him for his instruction, and I 
 do not hesitate to tell you where I got it." This was a 
 candid and manly admission. 
 
 Mr. Eobinson was an eager searcher after information, 
 and was glad to obtain it, from whatever quarter it came. 
 
300 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 His frankness in investif^atinc^, and then oivinsf his 
 opinion on any case before him, were noticeable features 
 in his character. If some considered it correct to throw a 
 veil of mystery over their proceedings in practice — press 
 their fingers on thek lips, knit their brows, fix their gaze 
 on nothing, and appear profoundly thoughtful — to give 
 a fictitious importance to the case in hand, not so with 
 him. He was free to explain all that needed explana- 
 tion, — tell how, why, and where, and make himself the 
 personal friend of the patient seeking his assistance. 
 Xor was he lacking in judgment or practical skill in 
 conducting difficult cases to a successful result. 
 
 As has been already mentioned, Mr. Eobinson made 
 an effort in the year 1842 to iutroduce a new order 
 of things in the profession, but failed. He inaugu- 
 rated a joiu^nal called the "Forceps," the first num- 
 ber of which appeared in January 1844. This was 
 a mistake. The spirit manifested in its pages was 
 satirical, and in many instances offensively personal. 
 There appeared from time to time short biographical 
 sketches of some of the then leading dentists, which 
 were more caricatures than delineations of character, 
 and were altogether to be condemned. The " For- 
 ceps" could never have achieved any good, and was 
 calculated to irritate many, and produce much hostile 
 feeling against the ^\Titer. Happily, the journal had 
 but a short existence ; yet it lived long enough to bring 
 about a sphit of antagonism to Mr. Eobinson from many 
 quarters, from which he suffered for years afterwards. 
 To this cause, perhaps, and tliis all but alone, was to 
 be attributed the isolated position Mr. Eobinson held 
 among his brother practitioners. It is pleasant to learn 
 that, though tardy in its appearance, yet at last regret 
 on his part concerning this journal came not only cer- 
 tainly, but with force to Mr Eobinson's mind. 
 
 On one occasion, when the writer was spending an 
 evening in his company at his house at Kenton, the 
 subject was alluded to. 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 30I 
 
 "I have written," said Mr. Eobinson, "many silly 
 things in my time, and I am afraid many unjust things 
 too. As to the ' Forceps/ I heartily wish I had never 
 had anything to do with it ; and I should like to know 
 that not a single copy of it was now in existence." 
 
 It was very evident that he felt the utter inutility of 
 the method he had employed to compass the result in- 
 tended ; and, furthermore, that he realised, by a disagree- 
 able experience, that the pen which is dipped in gall 
 sooner or later becomes an instrument to wound the 
 conscience of him who uses it. 
 
 Tills subject is reluctantly introduced, but it permits 
 the revelation of the truth that Mr. Eobinson was sorry 
 for his sin. This fact may have been communicated to 
 others, but the author has never heard that it was. 
 
 Allusion has been made to the commencement of Mr. 
 Eobinson's efforts in direct connection with the reform 
 movement. Whether as first president of the College 
 of Dentists, or in any other capacity, he displayed a re- 
 markable amount of energy. His inaugural address was 
 undoubtedly clever, and showed considerable acquain- 
 tance with the history of dentistry in the long past. 
 The delegates chosen by the Odontological Society to 
 represent that side of the profession had no faidt to find 
 with him as a representative of the opposite party. He 
 was thoroughly in earnest when he fought for the Col- 
 lege name, but contact with his brethren had the usual 
 influence upon him as upon others, and led him courte- 
 ously to listen to the expressed sentiments of those who 
 differed from him. He believed that the conclusions 
 arrived at by the chosen delegates of the two contending 
 bodies were the best that could be then obtained, and 
 hence his resignation from the official position he had 
 been holding with the College party when those con- 
 clusions were nullified by the adverse vote in Caven- 
 dish Square. 
 
 His subsequent conduct in not only returning to the 
 College of Dentists, but in accepting office there, created 
 
302 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 some surprise; but only those who knew his dis- 
 position were capable of divining his reasons for so act^ 
 ing. There can be no question that, whatever other 
 motive was then operating, his ardent love for promi- 
 nence and influence was not extinguished, or indeed 
 extinguishable. When the step had once been taken, he 
 seemed animated with fresh devotion to his former Col- 
 lege acquaintances, and resolved to show that he would 
 do his best to promote their interests. Certainly the 
 students there should not lack incentive to work 
 heartily, if, by offering prizes to the most meritorious 
 of them, he could stimulate them to close application in 
 their studies. Hence his generosity in this direction. 
 
 His desire to carry out his own views led him to in- 
 augurate the National Dental Hospital ; but the method 
 he employed in getting quit of his position in and 
 connection with the Dental Hospital of London, to say 
 the least, was not to be admired, and many considered it 
 altogether inexcusable. When, however, he had formed 
 the resolution to take action in that direction, his force 
 of character, as usual, displayed itself. With unremit- 
 ting ardour he set about the new enterprise, and left no- 
 thing undone that could be accomplished to compass his 
 ends. The institution in Great Portland Street was very 
 largely indebted to Mr. Eobinson, not only for its estab- 
 lishment, but also for its support. He gained for it 
 many adherents and subscribers, and took the liveliest 
 interest in its success. The Metropolitan School of 
 Dental Science was also taken up by him, and assisted 
 to the extent of his power. 
 
 To a large number of his brother practitioners the 
 energy he displayed, especially in these latter directions, 
 appeared to be dictated by a spirit of opposition. His 
 capriciousness deprived him of the countenance of many 
 who could not but admit the great zeal and love of 
 work which he so constantly displayed. JSTo enterprise 
 with which he was connected could ever flag in his 
 presence ; but there can be no doubt that his lack of 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 303 
 
 judgment on many occasions outbalanced liis activity, 
 and liberality as well. 
 
 What result a lonsrer association with those who were 
 
 o 
 
 working for the general advance of the profession might 
 have produced upon his habit of thought and mode of 
 action it is difficult to predict ; but up to the time of his 
 lamented death Mr. Eobinson had not succeeded in 
 winning the esteem and securing the co-operation of 
 many of the leading dentists of liis day. To some he 
 appeared an enigma, to others his impulsive nature pre- 
 sented a formidable obstacle to concerted action, and 
 thus, while drawing to him those of a kindred spirit, 
 he nevertheless repelled all those whose temperament 
 was opposed to vehement, resolute action, and there 
 were many at that time — perhaps too many — who could 
 be brought under this particular classification. His 
 death, which was purely accidental, and took place at 
 his country house at Kenton, cut short a career which 
 no doubt would have been useful, and robbed the pro- 
 fession of one whose mind would, doubtless, have felt 
 sooner or later the change which prolonged contact 
 with other minds is so sure to produce. His principal 
 influence for the general good was exerted at the com- 
 mencement of the reform moA'ement, when, as has been 
 already mentioned, he courageously stood where others 
 either declined or feared to stand. It is, indeed, very 
 questionable, whether the College of Dentists of Eng- 
 land would have been able to take the firm position it 
 did in its earlier days but for him. As a private and 
 personal friend, James Eobinson exceeded in kindness, 
 of which the writer had many undeniable proofs ; and 
 his death, so sudden and lamentable, was very keenly 
 felt both by him and many of his professional brethi-en 
 besides. 
 
304 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 
 
 ME. AENOLD EOGEES. 
 
 The subject of this notice, like many others, was not 
 originally educated for the dental profession. Endowed 
 with many excellent qualities, and gifted with a clear 
 and intelligent mind, when he at length turned his 
 attention to the profession he subsequently and for so 
 many years practised, he soon acquired an acknowledged 
 position, and won for himself universal esteem. His 
 frank and genial disposition, together with his courteous 
 and dignified bearing, attracted many to him, and his 
 circle of friends and admirers was, consequently, a very 
 large one. When he had once espoused dentistry his 
 entire energy was given to practise it upon the highest 
 principles. In the second chapter of this work his 
 name is found in connection with the attem]3ted refor- 
 mation of the year 1843. The evidence is there given 
 of his strong desire to do all that lay in his power in 
 that direction ; could he but have carried out that 
 enterprise, even alone, his will was to achieve it, and 
 none more than he felt grieved at its ultimate collapse. 
 During the agitation dating from 1856, Mr. Eogers 
 worked heartily and contmuously with the party whose 
 views he considered most likely to obtain the best 
 interests, and secure the best and most permanent 
 results for the dental profession. There was no luke- 
 warmness in his service. What he did was done 
 heartily and with excellent judgment, while his kindly 
 spirit was distinguishable from first to last. He re- 
 gretted that there were those around him who felt 
 tamely in the matter, and condemned those who could, 
 but would not, work in the good cause. 
 
 As an evidence of Mr. Eogers' deep interest in the 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 305 
 
 affairs of the profession, and as a specimen of his earnest 
 spirit the following letter is introduced : — 
 
 "16 Hanover Square, December yd^ 1861. 
 
 " Deae Me. Hepbuen, — First, as Mr. Twyning's old 
 traveller used to say, 'to business.' Thank you for 
 your cheque for you and your friends' subscription. 
 I send you an acknowledgment for each; you may 
 wish to enclose a scrap ; but I am sorry that we have 
 
 lost Mr. W and Mr. . I cannot afford to 
 
 lose members, or my balance-sheet will tell badly 
 against me. However, I have ;^500 in hand, and as 
 the publishing committee have had near ;^200 this 
 year, we have no reason to complain. Hereafter the 
 library committee will pull upon me I suppose. 
 Never mind that ; we shall have something to show for 
 it, and also something worth seeking by the members. 
 Now, having disposed of that part of my business, let 
 me assure you how comforting a thing it is to me that 
 my brethren are all so kind and well disposed to me as an 
 individual member of the profession. It reconciles me 
 very much to the long five months' solitude of my 
 winter ailing-months : but I long to be amongst you, 
 and am as anxious to hear how every meeting and 
 everything goes off as if my bread depended upon it : it 
 is, in fact, a necessary part of my existence. I could 
 have wished, and did wish, to partake of your hospi- 
 tality — it went off gloriously I hear. It is the com- 
 mencement of a new era in our science. The gTeat 
 responsibility of the teachers and officers towards the 
 pupils and patients is, I have no doubt, a source of 
 contemplation for your daily thoughts. The benefit to 
 patients, the advantages, so bountiful, to the pupils, 
 but, above all, what are you not doing for the future 
 public ? Why the public, aye, the rich public, will, in 
 after times, be most profited by the movement. They 
 will have young men well qualified to practise, instead of 
 as formerly. Then a man began to know a little just as 
 
 u 
 
306 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 
 
 he was leaving the world. I hear that yon have a 
 goodly numher of pupils entered. Good speed to you ! 
 And, forsooth, we have another Dental Hospital ! If 
 it be as well conducted as yours, then I say it will be a 
 boon also ; for if ours were to go on at the rate of the 
 last three years, it would be impossible to do with your 
 present staff — if even with your present accommodation. 
 The more I reflect upon Mr. Eobinson's measures, the 
 more I am bothered to know what more lie would desire 
 to be done than we have accomplished ; and, also, why 
 he could not have taken his proper position with us as 
 others have done, and so formed one substantial and 
 united body. I cannot understand him, but I pity him. 
 iSTow, farewell ! Thank you for much kindness, and be- 
 lieve me, my dear Mr. Hepburn, yours very sincerely, 
 
 Arnold Eogers." 
 
 Such a letter not only reflects credit upon Mr. Eogers' 
 straiofhtforward views of the business demands of the 
 
 o 
 
 society of which he was the treasurer, but also proves 
 his deep anxiety concerning its progress, and the means 
 by which that could be secured. As to the warmth of 
 his generous disposition, too much could not be easily 
 said. To those who had the privilege and the pleasure 
 of his acquaintance this characteristic was positively 
 paramount. Whoever might elect to be cool or indiffer- 
 ent to the forward movement of the profession, this 
 genial-spirited friend could not do so. His heart was 
 palpably thrown into the efforts being made for the 
 general good, and his interest therein was simply un- 
 ceasing. Quiet, but very telling instances of his gene- 
 rosity have come to the author's knowledge, which, if 
 related, would further prove that something more than 
 mere sentiment actuated him throughout. 
 
 Whenever his state of health permitted, Mr. Eogers. 
 was present at the council of the Odontological Society 
 and the Dental Hospital committee meetings, where his 
 good sense was invariably shown, while the urbanity and 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 307 
 
 -courteonsness of his manners greatly endeared Mm to 
 all wittL whom he acted. When the attempt to improve 
 the status of the profession was being made in the year 
 1843, ^^1'- Rogers not only manifested a noticeable 
 anxiety for its success, but took, with Mr. Tomes, the 
 most active part in endeavouring to bring to a practical 
 issue the scheme which lay before him. It is almost 
 needless to say that its failure was to him a great dis- 
 appointment, if not a positive grief. His hope, how- 
 ever, did not once fail him ; and when the subject was 
 subsequently re^dved, we find him appearing on the 
 scene, with renewed ardour and enlarged experience, 
 ready to take that part in afi'airs which his brethren 
 considered most advisable. His time, influence, and 
 purse, were all pressed into service, and placed so as to 
 be available when and where they might be required. 
 His sympathy with the less fortunate members of the 
 profession was very strong. 
 
 The author, at Mr. Eogers' invitation, spent many 
 evenings in the winter time with him at his house in 
 Hanover Square, and had full opportunities of knowing 
 his thoughts upon such subjects. Although never 
 reticent, yet on these occasions he spoke with great 
 freedom, and related, with evident feeling, his own 
 early career, and touched upon many things which could 
 not be mentioned under the more formal circumstances 
 of official interviews. It was on one of these occasions 
 the author took the opportunity of submitting to him a 
 scheme which he had been projecting for the formation 
 of a " Benevolent Institution," for the purpose of pro- 
 viding means of support for aged or infirm members of 
 the profession, or those who by sudden affliction could 
 not continue in practice. Mr. Eogers not only listened 
 to the proposal, but warmly entered into the project, 
 but considered the idea at that moment a little inoppor- 
 tune. " My dear Hill," he said, " you must put your 
 plans into your pocket for the present ; not but that the 
 thing is right enough, but the profession is not ripe for 
 
308 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 
 
 it just yet. AVe may fairly hope to see it carried out by 
 and bye; now, however, it would be expecting too 
 much." * His intense interest was concentrated on 
 what had then been originated, and although evidently 
 prepared to second and support such a scheme, he was 
 fearful lest in attempting too much we should fail in 
 other things. 
 
 It was after a meeting at the Medical Society's rooms 
 in George Street, Hanover Square, in the year 1858, 
 that he threw open his house for the meetings of the 
 provisional committee of the newly- determined-upon 
 Dental Hospital of London. The founders of that 
 charity gathered together there, Mr. Eogers generally 
 presiding, and under his hospitable roof the funda- 
 mental laws were carefully considered, and eventually 
 framed for working purposes. It was on one of these 
 occasions that, in discussing what were the necessary 
 views to be held by gentlemen qualified to hold office 
 in the charity, that a good friend to the profession and 
 an excellent representative man, Mr. A. J. Woodhouse, 
 was lost to the institution. By a rigid insisting upon 
 absolute allopathic views by Mr. W. A. ]N". Catthn, as the 
 sine qua non with all concerned in the management of 
 the Dental Hospital, Mr. Woodhouse felt that he was 
 ineligible, and retired from the meeting. Mr. Eogers 
 was one of the first to regret the issue thus arrived at, 
 and all who know Mr. Woodhouse share that regret to 
 the present time, for although the latter gentleman was 
 elected to the committee of management at the first, 
 the institution has not since reaped the benefit of his 
 presence and counsel at its meetings. 
 
 In the year 1859 Mr. Arnold Eogers was duly chosen 
 to act as president of the Odontological Society. It 
 need hardly be stated that he filled the chair admirably, 
 
 * Could not the idea of a Dental Benevolent Institution be 
 now considered, with the idea of its speedy formation ? Such a 
 charity would be worthy of every effort which might be given to 
 make it a success. A, H. 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 309 
 
 and throiTgliout tlie period of his office conducted the 
 affairs of the society with excellent tact. His position 
 in the profession ensured him the respect of all the 
 members ; while his urbanity and courteous maimer won 
 for him universal esteem. As treasurer to the society, 
 he had displayed from the first thorough business quali- 
 ties, and the various duties of that office could never 
 have been placed in abler hands. And when the highest 
 post in the society was intrusted to him, his long and 
 extensive experience gave him the necessary power 
 to fulfil its functions to the satisfaction and delight of 
 both the council and members alike. Mr. Eosers was 
 singularly deA'oid of all acerbity, ever anxious that the 
 discussions that might come before the society, should 
 be conducted with moderation and due attention to the 
 laws which operate amongst gentlemen. 
 
 It can easily be understood that, with such a presi- 
 dent, a year of pleasant and profitable meetings would 
 be secured to the society. Mr. Eogers' professional 
 career had been such that, at this period, he could claim 
 to be possessed of a very large amount of knowledge. 
 While the scientific side of the papers submitted to the 
 society received from him the attention they necessarily 
 demanded, the real and practical aspect of things was 
 much encouraged during his administration. The presi- 
 dent was, in fact, a thoroughly practical dentist. The 
 author remembers the interest with which Mr. Eogers 
 showed him, when on friendly visits to him at his house 
 in Hanover Square, his method of making for himself 
 some of the finer and more delicate instruments in daily 
 use, explaining the method he adopted in fashioning 
 them to his purpose. He insisted that there was a 
 necessity for every dentist being instructed in the art 
 of working the metals employed in his practice, maintain- 
 ing that there w^ere occasions when special instruments 
 became necessary, and also that few, if any, regular 
 manufacturers could be got to produce them with the 
 rec[uired exactness. Certainly, those which were made 
 
310 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 by liim. evidenced liis accurate discernment of the 
 quality of the material demanded, the form it was to 
 take as applied to the case in hand, and also his 
 manipulative skill in the finish of the instrument. 
 Some of these having been kindly given to the writer, 
 he can testify experimentally concerning them. 
 
 The office of treasurer to the Odontological Society 
 had been held by Mr. Eogers for a period of seven years," 
 but his failing health during 1856-57 had prevented his 
 attendance at the council meetinsjs during the winter 
 months almost entirely. This was to him a source of 
 deep regret, involving as it did the extra duty to the 
 secretaries of keeping him informed of those matters 
 which concerned liim as treasurer. Considering this, 
 coupled with the medical advice he had been compelled 
 to seek, Mr. Eogers decided upon the, to him, regretful 
 step of resignation. His letter was, with equal regret, 
 reluctantly accepted by the council, who accompanied 
 their letter of . acquiescence in his wish with an expres- 
 sion of their high sense of the efficient manner in which 
 he had conducted the financial department of the society, 
 together with its relative duties, and also theu^ affectionate 
 desire for his speedy restoration to health. To one so 
 warm-hearted as Mr. Eogers, this letter was very ac- 
 ceptable, and by him highly prized. But a still more 
 gratifying announcement was in reserve. Such was the 
 general feeling of the members of the society towards 
 Mr. Eogers, that it was felt some a]3propriate manifesta- 
 tion of it should be made. Accordingly a committee 
 was formed to consider what form the expression should 
 take. A testunonial on vellum, with illuminated head- 
 ing, and bearing the autograph of every member of the 
 society, was decided upon. This, it was arranged, should 
 be enclosed in a chased cylinder of massive silver, on 
 which an inscription was to be engraved. 
 
 The necessary sum for carrying out the project was 
 immediately subscribed, and when completed, a depu- 
 tation, with Mr. Ibbetson at its head as president of the 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 3II 
 
 society, was appointed to present the testimonial. The 
 day selected was Friday, August 23rd, 1867. In a very 
 feeling and appropriate address, Mr. Ibbetson expressed 
 the sentiments of every member of the society towards 
 Mr. Eogers, their gratitude for the gTeat assistance he 
 had rendered it, and their deep regret that the state of 
 his health deprived them of his future services. The 
 testimonial was then gracefully presented, and with 
 much emotion accepted by him. The following is the 
 text : — 
 
 " Odoiitological Society of Gh^eat Britain to Arnold 
 Eogers, Esc[., F.B.C.S., L.D.S. Eng.,&c. &c. 
 
 " Dear Sik, — We, the undersigned members of the 
 Odontological Society of Great Britain, desire to express 
 to you, on your retirement from the office of treasurer 
 to that society, our high appreciation of the zealous, 
 careful, and able manner in which you have discharged 
 the duties of that office during the period you have 
 held it, and of the kindly manner in which you have at 
 all times exercised the various contino-ent duties which 
 have devolved upon you in connection with it. AVe, 
 therefore, beg you to accept our cordial thanks for the 
 services which we consider you to have rendered to the 
 society in these as also in many other ways, accom- 
 panied by our sincere mshes that the quiet which we 
 understand you are about to seek may speedily restore 
 you to your usual state of health." 
 
 Two hundred and sixteen signatures were appended, 
 arranged in chronological and alphabetical order, in har- 
 mony with the organisation of the society. The design 
 and execution were alike creditable to all concerned. 
 
 On one of so warm and susceptible a disposition such 
 an expression, and thus made, could not fail to produce 
 a very deep effect. It was with great difficulty that 
 Mr. Eogers rephed, and in fact more than once he was 
 com]3letely overcome. It was very evident that this 
 
312 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 altogether unexpected demonstration of respect and 
 esteem by his brother practitioners was highly prized 
 by him. His own words fully demonstrated this, as 
 his closing remarks amply testify : — 
 
 " I have not language, sir," he said, " to convey ade- 
 quately the high estimation in which I look upon this 
 diadem, this heirloom, presented to me in this respectful 
 way, as it will often recall to mind, with all its endear- 
 ments, this most gratifying epoch of my life; but be 
 pleased to accept, in the depth of sincerity, my most 
 grateful thanks." 
 
 A sumptuous entertainment at the conclusion of the 
 ceremony was given to the deputation, when reiterated 
 sentiments of esteem for Mr. Eogers, and hope for the 
 future of the profession of which he was such a distin- 
 guished member, were again and again expressed. 
 
 There were others who had laboured arduously in the 
 good cause of dental reform, and to whom the lasting 
 thanks of every practitioner are due ; but no one better 
 deserved such a tribute of admiration and good-will 
 than Arnold Eogers. For many years he had been looked 
 up to by the younger men, amongst whom his name was 
 a household word. His position had been attained by 
 indomitable perseverance, and all around him appeared 
 to concede, and that willingly, the honour to him of 
 being a highly-respected and thoroughly-representative 
 man. Conducting, as he had done for a long period, a 
 large practice, and with his time, therefore, fully occu- 
 pied, there was nothing which could be fairly considered 
 as tending to the elevation of the profession which he 
 was unwilling to give both time and attention to secure 
 for it. He was noticeably free from the angularity and 
 eccentricity wliich are sometimes so painfully percep- 
 tible among leading men. Ever courteous and kind, he 
 had the happy method of drawing to, instead of dri^dng 
 from him. The writer yields his most willing testimony 
 to the urbanity of Mr. Eogers throughout the many 
 occasions he had to consult and converse with him, and 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 3I3 
 
 he feels sure that, to all who really knew him, Mr. 
 Eogers stood as the Xestor of the profession. 
 
 His retirement from office, in connection with the Oclon- 
 tological Society, produced no abatement of liis intense 
 interest in all professional matters. Whenever his 
 health permitted, his well-known face was to be seen 
 at its sittings, as also at the committee meetings of the 
 Dental Hospital of London. He was one of the trustees 
 of that charity, and from the iirst had given unceasing, 
 effort to secure its permanent success. His carefulness 
 and forethought were prominent characteristics, and 
 constantly displayed themselves, but never more pro- 
 minently than in the formation of the laws, &c., by 
 which that institution was to be governed. 
 
 On the occasion of these rules being drafted, the 
 ^vriter remembers that attention was drawn by him to 
 certain clauses which appeared very stringent. Mr. 
 Eogers' reply was illustrative and worth recording : 
 " We must make our laws," he said, " as though we had 
 to deal with dishonest men ; good men and true will 
 not object to their severity ; ihey do not feel their ap- 
 plication, and therefore do not fear them." 
 
 He was very active in obtaining supporters to the 
 hospital, and the funds of the charity were in no small 
 degree augmented through his instrumentality. In ac- 
 cordance with a sucjc^estion made by Mr. T. G. Palmer 
 of Cheltenham — another excellent and untiring friend 
 to the hospital — Mr. Eogers had a subscription-box at 
 his house, which periodically yielded its contents to the 
 treasurer for the time beino-. 
 
 In speaking of this worthy member of the profession, 
 it is most difficult to say where his energy was not 
 directed, or its beneficial influence was not felt. His 
 advice was constantly sought by many, especially by 
 the younger members of the profession, and often, too, 
 by those who were in practice at a distance from the 
 metropolis. It need hardly be added that, to the ut- 
 
314 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 most of liis power, tliis was ever most clieerfully given, 
 and, doubtless, with the most salutary and excellent 
 results. 
 
 Amongst other important positions Mr. Eogers was 
 called to fill was that of Examiner at the Dental Board 
 of the Eoyal College of Surgeons. He was one of the 
 first three gentlemen elected to that office, and per- 
 formed the duties assigned him there with all the 
 courtesy and candour for which he was so well known. 
 
 A very noticeable feature in his character was the 
 persistent hopefulness concerning the future of dentistry 
 in this country. Even when the conflict of opinions 
 was at its highest, and appeared so likely to result in 
 utter confusion, he never gave way to despondency. 
 Out of the gloomiest and most mortifying circumstances 
 he had the happy art of extracting comfort. Whatever 
 he could do to help to a better understanding all round 
 was most cheerfully done, and words of encouragement 
 were ever on his lips. Every one having the privilege 
 of his acquaintance was constrained to feel that entire 
 dependence could be placed upon him in the direction 
 of personal effort for the general welfare, and substantial 
 help whenever that was needed. 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 315 
 
 ME. EYMEE. 
 
 This gentleman's name has been so frequently men- 
 tioned, and his acts and intentions recorded in the 
 body of this work, that there remains but little more 
 to be added to give the reader a just view of what 
 the dental profession owes to him. His courage in 
 publishing his own ideas concerning the condition 
 and necessities of the profession, so far back as 1855, 
 merits praise, for at that particular time, as is now well 
 known, such a step as even that was more than liable to 
 misinterpretation. Such, however, was his deep convic- 
 tion of the importance of a substantial effort being made 
 with the object of general advance and improvement, 
 that he hesitated not in stating them where they would 
 most likely be read, namely, in the pages of the most 
 influential medical journal, the "Lancet." But a still 
 more courageous act was his summoning a public 
 meeting of his professional brethren in London as 
 the readiest and most efficient method at his com- 
 mand of testing the soundness and practicability of 
 his own personal views in the matter of dental reform. 
 That Mr. Eymer felt this to be so is very certain, for 
 he admits it in the preface to a pamphlet he published 
 in the year 1857, entitled, "The Dental Profession: its 
 Present Position and Future Prospects, considered in 
 Eelation to the Eecent Eeformatory Movement." His 
 own words were to the following effect : — " My own 
 share was, after all, not a great one, although its results 
 have been important. The step of calling the public 
 meeting at the London Tavern was a bold one, and 
 would have laid me open to undying ridicule had it 
 failed; and it was in braving this possibility — which 
 might have been done by any one else — that all my 
 credit lay." This was ]\Ir. Eymer's own est'.nate of the 
 
3l6 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 
 
 matter : but it is needless to say that, with regard to 
 the last part of the statement, many took a very 
 different view. Credit was most certainly due to him 
 for much more than calling his brother practitioners 
 together, and those who were most intimately ac- 
 quainted with him, and were best able to watch his 
 actions, found ample opportunity for giving him their 
 unqualified commendation. To him most certainly 
 belongs the credit of first, and both practically and 
 publicly, arousing the dentists of this country from 
 the wretched apathy into which, as a body, they had 
 sunk. It is highly probable that there were many 
 gentlemen practising the dental profession who de- 
 plored, as Mr. Eymer deplored, the condition of things 
 around them. But while others thought, he resolved 
 to act; and this resolution of his, carried out in the 
 way it was, was certainly beneficial in the highest 
 degree. But for him the quietude of those days 
 might have continued to an indefinite period. There 
 was much discussion, as soon as the intentions of Mr. 
 Eymer were made known, as to who was first in the 
 field as champion of reform — he or the memorialists 
 of that day. Tlie general feeling, however, was that 
 Mr. Eymer had the priority of claim in the matter. 
 But whether he or the memorialists made the first 
 advance, no one can dispute the fact that to him, and 
 to him alone, belongs the praise of publicly endea- 
 vouring to ameliorate the many evils by which the 
 profession was hampered and disgraced, by the proposal 
 of inasruratins^ an educational institute for dentists in 
 this country. 
 
 When he came before his brethren, it was very evi- 
 dent that he had something more than a crude, unma- 
 tured notion of what was required. His own views 
 were very clearly and succinctly given to the five or six 
 gentlemen who met him in response to his public invi- 
 tation, just prior to the general meeting of the profession 
 about to be held. These views were still more fully 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 317 
 
 stated when lie met the first publicly- convened assem- 
 bly of dental practitioners on the evening of September 
 22, 1856. If reference be made to Mr. Eymer's letter 
 to the " Lancet," published a year before this meeting 
 took place (August 1855), the original conception in his 
 mind will be seen to partake largely of the prophetical 
 character. '' If/' said Mr. Eymer, " the College of Sur- 
 geons were to appoint a properly-constituted board of 
 examiners, whose duty should be to hold periodical ex- 
 aminations of such candidates as were desirous of ob- 
 taining such a distinction, for instance, as might well be 
 termed ' Licentiates in Dentistry/ I believe that, on the 
 one hand, the public would be spared a vast amount of 
 injury, and that, on the other, dental surgery would 
 take its just position by the side of other liberal profes- 
 sions/' It cannot be actually avowed that the memo- 
 rialists, and subsequently the Odontological Society, 
 borrowed this idea when they pressed for recognition by 
 the Eoyal College of Surgeons, or that the latter body 
 made use of it as a suggestion ready to hand, when 
 about to accede to the petitioners' request, or formulate 
 the consequent and necessary curriculum ; but seeing 
 how events have thus far developed, Mr. Eymer can be 
 well excused if he congratulates himself now the past 
 and present can be looked at together. It is one thing 
 to be the means of inaugurating a new movement, but 
 it is altogether another and a different thing to manifest 
 such qualities as will carry the scheme to a practical 
 and acknowledged result. As the first idea of the pro- 
 fession, or rather that part of it which agreed with Mr. 
 Eymer, began to take form, the test was applied to him 
 as the recognised leader of the " independent " party. 
 Had he been simply a self-opinionated and consequently 
 an obstinate man, his troubles would very soon have 
 proved overwhelming. 
 
 It only needed that he should come face to face with 
 others, and he would discover the truth of the old say- 
 ing, " Many men, many minds/' The " independents " 
 
3l8 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 were first to have an " association" or " society," then 
 an " institute," at length a " college." It was while the 
 professional mind, identified with himself, was thus in 
 transition thatMr.Eymer gave ample evidence that he did 
 not desire to force his personal opinions upon his brethren. 
 He was perfectly willing to be ruled by the sense of the 
 majority of those who were discussing the scheme, and, 
 although having a voice of his own on the subject, h& 
 very cheerfully conceded his views so long as those 
 which were intended to supersede them did not militate 
 against the object immediately before them, namely, 
 improvement and advance. This same excellent spirit 
 of conciliation and concession in things non-essential 
 characterised him all through. The author can speak 
 from close and personal experience of Mr. Eymer's con- 
 duct in this direction. At the many council meetings, 
 which were the order of the day in the early history of 
 the College of Dentists, all who sat around the table of 
 the inner chamber at Cavendish Square had ample op- 
 portunity of judging, not only of Mr. Eymer's disposition, 
 but of his ability to direct and sustain the movement 
 he had inausfurated. 
 
 One of the most prominent features of his character 
 was his earnestness. He was intensely earnest in his 
 desire for professional improvement ; in seeking for 
 the best means for the accomplishment of this ob- 
 ject; in promulgating his own ideas concerning it ; 
 in utilising such material as he could command ; 
 and in resisting any and all attempts to frustrate him 
 in his avowed intentions to endeavour to bring about a 
 better state of things. This same spirit of earnestness 
 displayed itself very unmistakably when he came to 
 hear of the secret action of the " memorialists.^' He 
 did not hesitate then to become as^s^ressive. AVhen he 
 was assured that these gentlemen were moving in that 
 direction, and in a secret manner, and that the great 
 body of practitioners generally were not permitted to 
 know what was being done — although that which was 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 319 
 
 sought thus to be accomplished would so distinctly affect 
 them — he was thoroughly aroused, and made no dis- 
 c^uise of his indication. "Whoever chose to submit to 
 such proceedings, he at least would not do so in silence. 
 In fact, the method chosen by the memorialists seemed 
 to act as an extra, and very powerful, incentive to him 
 to persevere in the opposite direction in all his doings 
 and dealings with the profession. There can be no 
 doubt that the contrasting of the two modes of pro- 
 cedure — the secret and the open — one with the other, 
 made political capital accumulate rapidly for Mr. 
 Rymer's use as he proceeded. That which he had from 
 time to time to propose, he strongly insisted ought to 
 be submitted in what he termed a public and constitu- 
 tional manner. He thoroughly believed in the accepted 
 English feeling in such matters, and resolved always to 
 appeal to his brethren on that particular ground and 
 foundation. His tenacity of opinion that the College 
 of Dentists of Encjland was the best and surest method 
 that could be adopted for the upraising of the pro- 
 fession as a body, was strenthened through the fact that 
 the dentists of this country, to say nothing of many of 
 the medical profession here, and the dental profession 
 generally in America, agreed with him in the end 
 proposed, and the means whereby he sought to accom- 
 plish it. 
 
 Having obtained the concurrence of so many around 
 him, he devoted himself with the most commendable 
 promptitude and unflagging exertion to the carrying- 
 out of his own and his friends' desires. It must be 
 remembered that Mr. Eymer did not live in London ; 
 and that, for the seven years through which the College 
 of Dentists was sustained, he had to travel from Croy- 
 don to London on every occasion of the college 
 meeting either in general assembly, or in council, or in 
 committee. As the chosen honorary secretary to the 
 council of the college, every paper and document of 
 importance had to come before him ; while, in numer- 
 
320 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 ous instances, he had to prepare for sudden and im- 
 perative action to be taken in order to counteract the 
 tactics of the college's opponents. His duties were not 
 light or nominal, as the author can personally testify. 
 
 To this also must be added the statement that Mr. 
 Eymer was not generally in robust, vigorous health. 
 So thoroughly imbued was he, however, with the im- 
 portance of the enterprise then in hand, that he very 
 cheerfully laid aside all personal considerations, and 
 laboured to the full extent of his power in the cause of 
 professional redemption and progress. He stood in 
 strong and remarkable contrast to some who had both 
 health and wealth at their command, but whose voices 
 were either not heard at all, or heard only very 
 cautiously, to commend, or else to condemn outright, 
 the effort he was determinedly making. It is an 
 instructive, and sometimes a very amusing and sug- 
 gestive study to notice the extreme sensitiveness with 
 which some people are pervaded under similar circum- 
 stances to those in the midst of which Mr. Eymer 
 found himself How quiet and self-possessed such 
 individuals are at the critical moment, when the 
 delivery of an opinion is asked for from them. With 
 what commendable prudence do they patiently wait 
 until the course the stream is likely to take becomes 
 clear to all around them ; and when the toil is about to 
 be consummated in triumph, with what painstaking 
 ingenuity do they become identified with the earnest 
 workers of the past, and seek to share with them the 
 honours and reward that have been so fairly earned by 
 others. 
 
 Certainly the dental reform movement did not prove 
 an exception to such a rule as this. However, despite 
 the wavering, the faint-hearted, and the reticent alike, 
 Mr. Eymer determined to persevere until it was unde- 
 niably demonstrated that his proposals were not capa- 
 ble of being practically and permanently utilised. Not 
 only from without, but also from within, was Mr. 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 32 1 
 
 Eymer tested and tried. By the unavoidably different 
 views of his colleagues at the council table, or among 
 the members of the college generally ; by secession ; 
 by protests almost ad infinitum ; and many other 
 matters and things inseparable from such an under- 
 taking, not only was the ingenuity and determination 
 of Mr. Eymer put to the proof, but his courtesy and 
 good temper also. These latter qualities he fully 
 possessed, and on no single occasion could even his 
 opponents convict him of any breach of etiquette. 
 
 jSTot only with the college, but with the Metropolitan 
 School of Dental Science and the National Dental Hos- 
 pital was Mr. Eymer intimately associated, and all three 
 institutions were indebted to him for a most liberal 
 support. Whatever lay within the compass of his 
 ability in the direction of assistance and counsel he 
 very generously did for their general good. 
 
 Although the acknowledged leader of the party en- 
 deavouring to set up independence in the dental pro- 
 fession, he was singularly devoid of ostentatiousness, 
 A great lover of truth and justice, he strove hard to 
 make these the basis of action with himself and those 
 working with him. Convenience, or mere policy, had 
 no attractions for him ; he sought to do rightly for 
 right's sake. As a result, he often found himself face to 
 face with many stern difficulties, on account of so 
 much demoralisation as then so largely obtained 
 throughout the profession. When the subject of adver- 
 tising was under consideration, with a view to its sup- 
 pression, no one showed more anxiety to prevent it in 
 the future, and none felt more chagrin and vexation 
 than he, as the thousand and one forms of subtlety and 
 deception came before the " scrutiny committee." In 
 the weary conflict of opinion between the Collegians 
 and the Odontologists, Mr. Eymer steadily adhered to 
 his original views, and defended the position he had 
 assumed when the necessity arose, either with his voice 
 or his pen. 
 
 X 
 
322 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 The eventual eclipse of the college scheme has been 
 already recorded, and, therefore, no further allusion need 
 be made to it here. When the inevitable arrived, Mr. 
 Eymer accepted it, and strove to make the best possible 
 terms for those ^yho had so long and strenuously sup- 
 ported him. He subsequently showed his good sense 
 in submitting to examination at the Eoyal College of 
 Surgeons, and obtained the licentiate's decree. His 
 example was speedily followed by several gentlemen 
 who had been formerly associated with him. His term 
 of office in connection with the council of the Odonto- 
 logical Society w^as faithfully served, and since then 
 Mr. Eymer has been resting upon the good opinion 
 formed of him by all w^ith whom he had been so con- 
 spicuously allied. His American brethren, having 
 watched his career, and the many unselfish attempts he 
 made to institute a similar order of things in England 
 as obtained on the other side of the Atlantic, conferred 
 upon him the honorary membership of one of their 
 dental colleges. 
 
 Apart from this, and the recognition of his services 
 by his owm colleagues and countrymen, as has been 
 recorded in a former chapter of this work, Mr. Eymer 
 has certainly won for himself the good opinion not only 
 of his friends, but of those also who for a time were 
 ranged against him. His name is indissolubly con- 
 nected with dental reform in Great Britain^ and to him 
 unquestionably belongs the credit, not simply of long 
 and disinterested labour in a most honourable cause, 
 but also of having first instigated a thorough and com- 
 plete movement in the dental profession, the ultimate 
 beneficial results of which cannot easily be predicted 
 even now. Those who are now either in the actual en- 
 joyment of the very distinctly marked improvement, 
 both legally and socially, which the dentists of this 
 country possess, or are on the high road to that enjoy- 
 ment, must look back to twenty years since, and see to 
 w^hom in a very large measure, indeed, they are indebted 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 323 
 
 for that impetus which, so efficiently and perseveringly 
 employed, has been mainly instrumental in securing to 
 them the privileges they hold or may hold to-day. If 
 they read past events impartially, there can be but little 
 doubt that they will instinctively and most justly con- 
 clude themselves deeply indebted to Mr. Samuel Lee 
 Kymer. 
 
324 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 MR. E. SAUNDEES. 
 
 When tlie idea of memorialising the College of Surgeons 
 was first mooted, Mr. Saunders was one of the eighteen 
 practitioners who appended their names to the docu- 
 ment eventually drawn up. As, however, that since 
 celebrated paper was not known at that time to have 
 been in existence except by those who formulated it, 
 the gentlemen wlio, in September 1856, met to originate 
 the Dental Society, College, or Institute, looked very 
 naturally to Mr. Saunders for his support to their 
 scheme. 
 
 When the election of a working committee took place, 
 the voice of the meeting was given for his name to be 
 inserted on the list, and it was accordingly placed there. 
 A correspondence which ensued immediately after- 
 wards between Mr. Eymer and Mr. Saunders on the 
 subject of the memorial gave evidence that the latter 
 gentleman had little faith in the ultimate issue of the 
 proposed movement. Mr. Saunders wrote : " It is quite 
 true that a movement was made to obtain a separate 
 examination and diploma for dental surgery from the 
 College of Surgeons, and a memorial was hastily pre- 
 pared and signed and presented to the council I 
 
 agree with you that it is to be regretted that the profes- 
 sion was not more extensively made acquainted with 
 it; there was, however, no intentional exclusiveness, 
 nor was the scope of the measure other than most 
 catholic. My share in the business amounted simply 
 to affixing my signature, being of opinion that if the 
 college were disposed to receive us in this way, it 
 would be better than to attempt to erect an inde- 
 pendent institution. I am sorry to miss many names 
 of note and influence in your w^orking corps." In 
 another letter to Mr. Rymer, written on 15 th October, 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 325 
 
 four days after the preceding one, Mr. Saunders, after 
 stating his regret that Mr. Eymer's project did "not 
 appear to have enlisted the support of those members 
 of the profession who by their position and acquire- 
 ments have a large and legitimate influence," counselled 
 Mr. Eymer " to wait for the reply of the council of the 
 College of Surgeons to the memorial ; " and then enume- 
 rating several names of well-known practitioners, 
 added, " Your committee are doubtless men of talent 
 and respectability; but are they the recognised and 
 legitimate representatives of the dental body ? " 
 
 From such expressions of sentiment it was inferred 
 that although Mr. Saunders would not disavow his 
 interest in the attempt Mr. Eymer and his party were 
 making, he nevertheless leaned towards the memorial 
 scheme, not perhaps simply on the score of its inherent 
 merits only, but because it was connected with names 
 of gentlemen with whom he could better afford to be 
 associated. This was, after all, but to be expected from 
 Mr. Sauaders' official position. The result, however, 
 was, so far as the promoters of the independent institu- 
 tion were concerned, a feeling towards him of coolness, 
 and a disposition of quiet unconcern. Although the 
 friends of Mr. Eymer were, so far, disappointed in Mr. 
 Saunders not co-operating with them, it would be very 
 unjust to conclude that he was not friendly to the 
 profession's elevation and advance. He was thoroughly 
 entitled to his own opinions on the subject, and as 
 much entitled as others to select for himself the time and 
 method of dental reform, and also to choose the parti- 
 cular gentlemen with whom he would work. The 
 result was the selection of the influential and accepted 
 heads of the profession as his party. AYhatever in- 
 fluence Mr. Saunders had was exerted, if at all, in a 
 quiet manner during several years from the commence- 
 ment of the new era in 1856. He was, of course, one 
 of the members of the Odontological Society from the 
 first, and in the eighth year of its existence (1864) 
 
326 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 occupied the presidential chair. When the Dental 
 Hospital of London was founded, Mr. Saunders became 
 one of the trustees of that charity. It was expected 
 by some that the students would have received the 
 benefit of his instructions either as one of the dental 
 surgeons, or as lecturer on some of the subjects 
 forming a part of their scientific education, but these 
 positions Mr. Saunders has not occupied. He has, 
 nevertheless, taken a warm interest in the hospital and 
 school, and has frequently attended the meetings of 
 the hospital managing committee. What has been 
 considered by a large number of his brother practi- 
 tioners to be a mistake was his not taking the licen- 
 tiateship degree, he having petitioned, with others, the 
 College of Surgeons for the granting of the examination 
 which led up to that degree. Reasons sufhciently 
 strong, doubtless, Mr. Saunders had for abstaining from 
 this step, but it is to be regretted, nevertheless, that 
 his name is not enrolled on that particular list, which 
 includes so many members of the dental body, and 
 among them the leading practitioners both of that day 
 and this also. It must be remembered that when that 
 degree was first granted it met with a great deal of 
 disrespect from some and disdain from others, but this 
 did not prevent many of the best men from offering 
 themselves as candidates for examination, and now that 
 it is the sine qua non for every aspiring and honourable 
 practitioner, those whose courage displayed itself thus are 
 all the more to be commended. Some time before the 
 lease of the premises occupied by the Dental Hospital 
 of London expired, Mr. Saunders expressed himself 
 anxious to secure for the staff and the students there 
 increased accommodation. He considered the site not 
 sufficiently prominent or public. When the subject of 
 a further lease and alterations in the building was 
 under consideration his feeling was distinctly against 
 the project. He was ready with his purse to aid in 
 obtaining a larger building and one better placed, and it 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 327 
 
 was felt that Mr. Saunders' influence amons: the wealthy 
 woiild materially help towards the necessary funds 
 being contributed. As the time of occupancy in Soho 
 Square drew near to its close, Mr. Saunders occupied 
 himself assiduously in searching for another site. In 
 such a metropolis as London the task was a difficult 
 one ; but perseverance conquered the obstacles, and in 
 due time he was prepared to submit an outline of his 
 ideas in connection with premises in Leicester Sc^uare. 
 Mr. Saunders found coadjutors in the work, but the 
 main stress certainly lay with him, and tlirough his 
 instrumentality the preliminaries necessary in all such 
 undertakings were made, and he w^as in a position to 
 lay them before the managing committee of the 
 charity. The opinion of the medical officers was 
 deemed absolutely necessary, they being so closely 
 concerned in the adaptability of the suggested building 
 to the purposes for which it would be required. 
 
 The proposed removal of tlie hospital was an event 
 not only of interest, but of importance to all. It 
 was much to be regretted, therefore, that a division of 
 opinion should arise, especially among the medical 
 officers. That there was a divided opinion in the staff, 
 however, is true, and it arose principally from the way 
 in which the whole subject had been submitted to them. 
 The proposition came hampered witli what was felt to 
 be restrictive and quietly coercive ideas. Mr. Saunders, 
 it appeared, had most generously offered to give the 
 sum of ;^ 500, under certain conditions; and the medi- 
 cal officers w^ere informed that if, throu£>-h their refusal to 
 accept these terms, the project should fail, the whole 
 onus of a lost opportunity would rest upon them. From 
 the constitution of the two committees (the managing 
 and the medical) the latter body could not well be 
 acquainted with what took place in the councils of the 
 former. To some members of the medical staff the sub- 
 ject was comparatively if not altogether new. Its crude 
 mode of x:)resentation did not at all help its accep- 
 
328 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 tance by them. Whatever their individual opinions 
 were, not one of the dental surgeons or their assistants 
 had any other than the most earnest desire for the per- 
 manent and increasino- success of the institution to 
 which they were devoting so much of their time and 
 energy. All admired Mr. Saunders' liberality, and 
 were ready to applaud it, but they claimed the right 
 to differ from him and his proposition ; and when the 
 subject was discussed in their committee that right was 
 used. 
 
 Although subsequently altered and vastly improved, 
 Leicester Square was at that time a byword and re- 
 proach to London. Its disreputable condition was the 
 subject of constant comment and jest in the columns of 
 the daily press. The premises which Mr. Saunders 
 with so much difficulty had selected were in a condi- 
 tion to necessitate their having a very considerable sum 
 of money expended upon them, apart from what would 
 be necessary to adapt them to the requirements of a 
 dental hospital. All this, however, had been thoroughly 
 considered by him, and with praiseworthy determination 
 he stiR pressed his scheme. 
 
 Nevertheless many of the medical staff could not see 
 things in the same light as he did, and the result was 
 that when the question was before that committee for 
 their decision, those of their number who supported 
 the removal obtained a majority of only one vote ; and 
 even this would not have been secured but for the sud- 
 den indisposition of one of the opposite side, who was 
 compelled to leave the meeting. The expression of 
 opinion thus given was construed into opposition to Mr. 
 Saunders, but it is difficult to discover in the thoroughly 
 English and free statement of sentiment among gentle- 
 men of equal position one with another the suitableness 
 of the particular term. 
 
 It need not be added, that when it was finally decided 
 by the managing committee that the removal to Leices- 
 ter Square should take place, " content3 " and " not 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 329 
 
 contents" accepted the verdict, and entered heartily 
 into the work of making Mr. Saunders' enterprise a 
 thorough success. All felt that, whatever their private 
 or expressed opinions might be, the locality of the insti- 
 tution could not possibly affect their sincere desire for 
 the true utility and development of the Dental Hospital 
 of London. Not only was Mr. Saunders' contribution 
 large, but his influence was freely given to secure the 
 necessary funds — his efforts in this direction proving 
 very successful. No one could have shown more devo- 
 tion to a cause he had espoused than did Mr. Saunders ; 
 and to one whose time is necessarily valuable, the 
 demands in this direction must have been heavy. 
 This matter of the Dental Hospital was the means of 
 bringing the name of Edwin Saunders into prominence. 
 He had from the commencement of the movement been 
 little heard of — in fact, his position was felt by many 
 to be one of more or less isolation from his brother 
 practitioners. Beyond his official connection with the 
 Odontological Society, and his trusteeship of the hos- 
 pital, Mr. Saunders has not been conspicuously placed 
 in the profession. From want of time, perhaps, he has 
 not added to the literature of dentistry except by a little 
 treatise published several years ago, entitled, " The 
 Teeth a Test of Age." But that which has fallen within 
 his province, namely, the bestowment of money for a 
 truly professional purpose, and that with no sparing 
 hand, Mr. Saunders has done. The profession has been 
 laid under obligation to Mr. Saunders for this his com- 
 mendable act, and in return it has subscribed to a fund 
 which, when completed, took the form of a testimonial, 
 which was subsequently presented to him. The 
 original idea in connection with this testimonial was 
 that it should be a marble bust to be placed in the 
 hospital, but on the advice of his friends Mr. Saunders 
 determined that he would devote the sum subscribed to 
 founding a scholarship in conjunction with the hospital. 
 This was a generous and wise resolve, and has commended 
 
330 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 itself to all really thoughtful persons. Latterly this 
 j)roposal has taken practical shape, and thus a fresh 
 stimulus is offered to the young men pursuing their 
 studies there. 
 
 There may have been insuperable difficulties in the 
 way of Mr. Saunders obtaining a numerous following 
 in the dental profession, and he may, in fact, have never 
 desired to occupy the position of a leader ; but with the 
 opportunities which, apparently, at least, encircled one 
 who is appointed to wait on royalty, it was felt, especi- 
 ally twenty years since,, that he might have taken the 
 initiative with his brethren, and have been powerfully 
 instrumental in guiding the destinies of the profession. 
 This, however, has not been the case; and the leadership 
 consequently fell into other hands. Fortunately for all 
 concerned, those who did lead proved fully equal to the 
 important and onerous task, and it may be safely said 
 that, concerning the happy result of what they have 
 been able to accomplish for the general good, no one 
 rejoices more heartily than Mr. Saunders himself. 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 33 1 
 
 ME. J. TOMES. 
 
 Tliroughout the entire movement towards reform the 
 name above written has been one of power. It is asso- 
 ciated in the minds of those who have been intimately 
 acquainted with its possessor with the ideas of science, 
 professional success, integrity, and hard work. As far 
 back as 1849 ^^^ writer remembers the influence it ex- 
 erted among such as himself, who were then young and 
 inquiring men just beginning their professional career. 
 Mr. Tomes work on dental physiology and surgery 
 had not been long published, and was making its ow^n 
 mark on the minds of the embryo dentists of that day. 
 After studying Hunter, Blake, Fox, Bell, and others, it 
 was felt that the scientific facts given by those writers 
 were not all that might be known on the subjects treated 
 by them. The valuable truths which Mr. Tomes by 
 his patient research had elucidated were hailed as a great 
 advance in scientific dental knowledge, and, therefore, 
 his name became not only familiar, but full of force. It 
 was in the above year that the author became acquainted 
 with Mr. Tomes in the relationship of pupil to instructor 
 in the operative department of dentistry at the Middle- 
 sex Hospital. Mr. Tomes was then acting as dental 
 surgeon to that institution. The first impression of the 
 WTiter was, that he was eccentric and capricious, with a 
 decided leaning towards the severe. Very few words 
 passed between Mr. Tomes and his pupils at that time, 
 and in fact no one can accuse him of ever being guilty 
 of verbosity. What was said had its import and necessity, 
 and all that the hearer had to do was to listen resj^ect- 
 fully, and endeavour to retain in his memory the facts 
 that had been mentioned. Whatever others mi^ht have 
 felt, this the writer can testify concerning himself — that 
 lie could not escape from the feeling that he was listening 
 
332 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 to the words of one wlio knew what he was speaking of, 
 and was aiming directly so that the exact truth, neither 
 more nor less, should be presented to the listener's 
 mind. A great reverence for such a teacher was the 
 result, and considerable happiness was experienced in 
 knowing that there was a rich mine of information thus 
 opened up and offered to him, or any other pupil at the 
 hospital, if the desire to take advantage of it were mani- 
 fested. 
 
 Mr. Tomes was ever ready to impart knowledge when 
 he perceived that the questioner or student was, like 
 himself, thoroughly in earnest. The author's earliest 
 acquaintance, therefore, with Mr. Tomes was grounded 
 deeply and firmly in respect and admiration. It was 
 some years after this, however, that he had occasion to 
 meet Mr. Tomes, and then under somewhat unpleasant 
 circumstances. 
 
 The meeting in public assembly of the profession, 
 under the auspices of Mr. Rymer, in the autumn of 
 1856, had, in the flush of its first success, nominated 
 several gentlemen to a seat on the council of the insti- 
 tution then being formed. They were well known 
 names, and such as the friends who were then gathered 
 together felt inevitably necessary to anything like per- 
 manent success in the direction of professional progress. 
 In the public record of that event, which was published 
 immediately afterwards, these names appeared on the list 
 without an asterisk or other mark opposite to such as were 
 not personally present, or had otherwise signified their 
 intention not to act, if thus proposed by their brethren in 
 the profession. Mr. Tomes saw the announcement, and 
 wrote a very sharp note repudiating his connection with 
 the movement altogether. The author having, through 
 his of&cial connection with the movement under Mr. 
 Eymer, been the unwitting cause of the offence to 
 Mr. Tomes, thought that, as he personally knew him, 
 it was due to that gentleman that a personal explana- 
 tion should be offered him. Accordingly Mr. Tomes 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 333 
 
 was waited upon, and received the writer witli his usual 
 quiet demeanour. The explanation was given, by which 
 it was shown that the error was an omission, and not 
 intentionally made ; whereupon the subject of the 
 reform, and the method of bringing it about, came to 
 be somewhat freely discussed, Mr. Tomes prophesying 
 then that the movement could not possibly succeed. 
 The writer thought differently, and said so, with all 
 the respect due to Mr. Tomes' better knowledge. 
 The interview ended with a suggestion that before 
 venturing to make any gentleman's name public for 
 the future, it would be well to obtain his unc^ualified 
 sanction of the same. The young official had, evidently, 
 his ear pinched by fingers which could have pinched it 
 much harder had they been disposed, and he has ever 
 felt that his foriiier acquaintance with Mr. Tomes saved 
 him from that very unpleasant procedure. The firm con- 
 viction held by that gentleman concerning the non-success 
 of Mr. Eymer's project may have been produced by 
 many difi'erent circumstances, yet there is little doubt 
 that the unbounded faith which he had in the scheme 
 which had been advanced by him and the eighteen 
 memorialists, but which was at that time unknown 
 to any save themselves, made him stronger in the belief 
 of the truthfulness of his utterances. 
 
 As events proceeded, the author had very many op- 
 portunities of consulting with Mr. Tomes on matters 
 connected with the agitation which existed throughout 
 the profession. Few, indeed, are aware of the terrible 
 demands which were, from one cause or other, constantly 
 being made upon j\Ir. Tomes' time and attention. In 
 his inaugural address, delivered on the occasion of his 
 being called for the second time to the president's 
 chair of the Odontological Society (1875), the fact is 
 modestly alluded to, but in such a way as — if the 
 author may be allowed to say so — to produce the 
 inference that these interruptions had to be borne 
 principally by others. 
 
334 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 
 
 Although many gentlemen, especially Mr. S. Cart- 
 wright and Mr. A. Rogers, were subjected to these 
 ordeals, it is but just to say that Mr. Tomes was more 
 open to them than any besides. The writer can testify, 
 from personal as well as other experience, to the abso- 
 lute willincrness of Mr. Tomes to receive visits from all 
 parties at all times, when the object in view w^as to 
 push forward the work of reform. To those for whom 
 especially this work is written, the bare mention of such 
 a fact is quite enough to elicit a feeling of thankfulness 
 for this exhibition, at a most critical period in the his- 
 tory of the profession, of such unsparing devotion. If 
 Mr. Tomes had never contributed pecuniarily towards 
 the sustentation of the labour of reform, the con- 
 stant demands thus made upon his time, when he 
 was conducting an excellent practice which called for 
 all his energy and attention, must be put down as repre- 
 senting a very large sum of money. He never failed to 
 set aside his own interests in this direction; and in 
 looking back upon the past from the present happy 
 position of the dental profession, this fact must not only 
 not be forgotten, but be held in very grateful remem- 
 brance, as infinitely to his credit and praise. ]\Iany 
 were the occasions when minutes became of the utmost 
 importance; and had Mr. Tomes, when his advice or 
 co-operation were sought under these circumstances, 
 pleaded his many engagements as an excuse for his 
 inability to give them, it is a question whether what 
 has been effected would ever have been accomplished 
 at all. 
 
 The inner workings of the reform movement have 
 only been made known to a very few amongst us, but 
 from the author's official position on both sides, and 
 from the first, he is, perhaps, as competent to speak con- 
 cerning them, at least, as many. From the commence- 
 ment to the present time the profession has had no one 
 member of it more willing to help, or more able to do 
 so, than Mr. Tomes. Full of quiet determination, and 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 335 
 
 peculiarly gifted with both foresight and the faculty of 
 administration, he has never once failed to use these 
 qualities for the interests of the profession at large. 
 Many circumstances have occurred by which he 'has 
 been able to bring very valuable influence from without 
 to bear upon the object he had in view. He was in- 
 cessantly placing his hands upon what may be termed 
 secret springs, by which very many important results 
 were obtained, and without which the progress of events 
 would have been either materially slackened, or in some 
 cases, to the writer's knowledge, brought to a standstill. 
 
 The opinions which Mr. Tomes held concerning the 
 necessities of the profession, especially during the period 
 of its most violent agitation and excitement, had been 
 arrived at after long and careful thought. He therefore 
 held to them tenaciously. It is but just also to record 
 that what has been achieved is in exact accordance with 
 the views he expressed to the author at the outset. He 
 never could be brought to believe that an independent 
 institution, as proposed by Mr. Eymer and his party, 
 would, even if consummated, be beneficial, or in any 
 way advance the status of the dental profession. 
 
 A proper connection with the Eoyal College of Sur- 
 geons Mr. Tomes considered the best guarantee for the 
 public and the profession alike, although he himself was 
 not, until the year 1859, a member of the college. This 
 fact, among others, although appearing to be somewhat 
 incongruous with the views he advanced, was utilised 
 by him for the general benefit. It enabled him to speak 
 as from the ranks of the unqualified practitioners, and 
 this power he largely availed himself of in his many 
 communications to the Eoyal College of Surgeons autho- 
 rities. So much so, indeed, was this the case, that the 
 then secretary — tlie late INIr. Belfour — plainly told jNIr. 
 Tomes that he was the source of considerable embarrass- 
 ment — to use no stronger term — to the executive in 
 Lincoln's Inn Fields. When Mr Tomes asked how 
 this could be, Mr. Belfour replied : " You write upon 
 
33^ DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 physiology and surgery, and are quoted as an author- 
 ity on these subjects, and yet you are not a mem- 
 ber of the college. If," continued Mr. Belfour, "the 
 council will grant your request in forming a dental 
 department, as you desire, will you promise to become 
 a member yourself ? " Mr. Tomes agreed to this pro- 
 posal, and accordingly, when the licentiateship was 
 about to become a fact, he redeemed his promise and 
 took the degree at once. ■ 
 
 While the great body of dentists was separated — at 
 least representatively — into two hostile camps, Mr. 
 Tomes came in for a large share of blame from the 
 college party for what was then considered quiet and 
 gratuitous action against their project. A great many 
 facts oozed out concerning him and his untiring exer- 
 tions in maturing the Odontological Society's plan, but 
 only those who were most intimately acquainted with 
 him could hope to become cognisant with all that he 
 was so constantly doing. There was not a single cir- 
 cumstance or individual whose influence could be made 
 available for furthering his views but was pressed into 
 the service. N"ot only with Mr. Green, Mr. Lawrence, 
 and Mr. Arnott, as gentlemen of influence and authority 
 on the council of the collesre, but with Mr. Belfour as 
 the secretary also, he used his constant exertions in en- 
 deavouring to make plain to them the manifold benefits 
 which he believed would accrue from the reception and 
 adoption of his plan. It was the same with Mr. A. 
 Beresford Hope, Lord Eobert Cecil, and others, whose 
 word and counsel in the House of Commons could fur- 
 ther assist him. 
 
 There was not a meeting convened upon the impor- 
 tant subject which was then engrossing the earnest 
 attention of the profession at large but Mr. Tomes was 
 one of the principal, if not the principal speaker. 
 
 There were gentlemen of determination and spirit 
 amoncT the executive of the College of Dentists of Ens^- 
 land, as even their opponents freely acknowledged, but 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 33/ 
 
 certainly not more largely endowed with these faculties 
 than Mr. Tomes. His energy and determination were 
 immense, although they were never displayed osten- 
 tatiously. Apart from his admittedly-deserved high 
 position in the dental profession, these qualities told 
 marvellously upon the progress and ultimate result of 
 the movement. There never seemed to be a time when 
 he was inclined to relax the smallest effort. Thoroughly 
 impressed with the importance of the subject, and 
 believing that the time had arrived when, if ever, the 
 object could be achieved, he simply resolved not to put 
 down his pen or be silent and at ease until it was 
 accomplished. The cost of this resolution was, in more 
 than a pecuniary sense, dear. He, nevertheless, cheer- 
 fully paid that cost, although health itself had to be 
 included in the account. Although money has not 
 been withheld, and in some instances freely given, yet 
 useful and necessary as that is, it can never be con- 
 sidered as approaching the value of such contribu- 
 tions as Mr. Tomes and others beside him have so 
 liberally bestowed to bring the profession where it is 
 to-day. 
 
 The difficulty with the writer, in attempting to record 
 the eminent and unflagging services which this true 
 friend to education and advance has rendered, is to 
 find out where his name and influence cannot be seen. 
 The Odontological Society has been deeply indebted 
 to him, not only in its origin but throughout its entire 
 career ; and this has been most appropriately acknow- 
 ledged by his being called twice to the president's chair. 
 When the Dental Hospital of London was founded, lie 
 was one of its most energetic helpers. As a matter 
 of course he became one of the dental surgeons on 
 its staff, and when the London School of Dental 
 Surgery had been formed, he was appointed lecturer on 
 dental physiology and surgery, fultilling the duties of 
 that most important post with acknowledged ability. 
 
 As was to be expected, Mr. Tomes was appointed to 
 
 Y 
 
338 • DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN 
 
 the office of examiner at tlie board instituted by the 
 Eoyal College of Surgeons in connection with the den- 
 tal department of the college. He, with Mr. T. Bell 
 and Mr. A. Rogers, formed the dental portion of the 
 first examining board. In that office he acted with the 
 most honourable impartiality. It was the opinion of 
 many, especially among the opponents of the licentiate- 
 ship degree, that the examination to which candidates 
 were required to submit would be of the most nominal 
 kind. Whatever the outside opinion at that time was, 
 Mr. Tomes had his own views and his own resolutions 
 in the matter. The author had occasion to call upon 
 him shortly after he himself had passed the ordeal at 
 Lincoln's Inn Fields, and the opportunity was taken 
 advantage of to state these resolutions. 
 
 " You," said Mr. Tomes, " see a large number of men 
 in the profession, and I wish you to tell them that I 
 am determined not to write my name upon their 
 diploma unless they show a thoroughly fair acquaint- 
 ance with the several principles of their profession. 
 They must give me good proof of their ability to 
 practise, or I, for one, will not endorse their degree." 
 
 The request thus made the writer accordingly ful- 
 filled. If, therefore, any presented themselves under 
 the idea that the examination was contemptible, they 
 soon had their notions refuted. The whole bent and 
 bias of Mr. Tomes' mind has been opposed to shallow 
 and superficial knowledge. The effort which had thus 
 culminated in the establishment of an examining body, 
 had been engaged in by him with the express object of 
 securing a class of dental surgeons who possessed real 
 knowledge, and were, therefore, worthy to represent 
 the profession in the immediate future. Like many 
 others, he deplored the ignorance which abounded. 
 He stood out resolutely against shams, whether they 
 were manifested in " high places," or among the lowly 
 and the low. To see good work in any of the depart- 
 ments of practice appeared to give him great delight. 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 339 
 
 His contribntions to the surgery of the dentist all 
 exemplify his intimate acquaintance with the necessi- 
 ties of the practitioner, not only in ordinary everyday 
 cases, but in exceptional ones also. Many years ago 
 he employed the well-known instrument maker, 
 Evrard, to carry out his designs, and, if report speaks 
 truly, has more than once tested not only the quality 
 of that individual's material, but his mind also and 
 patience too. Mr. Tomes, as a rule, gets a very clear 
 and definite idea of the object or subject occupying his 
 attention, and will not be content with any agency or 
 instrument unless he feel morally certain of its 
 adequacy to the occasion. It was this proclivity, or 
 rather habit of mind, which was in constant operation 
 with him when he, with others, projected the idea of 
 affiliation with the Eoyal College of Surgeons. When 
 connected with the CoUei^e of Dentists the author had 
 frequently to come into contact with Mr. Tomes, and 
 in discussing the relative merits of the two plans 
 which were in such fierce opposition to each other, had 
 not the above characteristic been very plain, he might 
 easily have concluded that Mr. Tomes' resolute antago- 
 nism to Mr. Eymer's scheme was based upon nothing 
 more than dogged partisanship. The truth is, however, 
 that he had been thoroughly investigating the tactics 
 and the aim of the other side, and failed to see either 
 in the means or the end that which he felt would be a 
 permanent benefit to the profession. 
 
 Looking at the reverse of the medal, there was in it 
 that which commended itself to him, and hence the 
 pertinacity and perseverance exemplified by him all 
 throuQ-h. Since the cessation of hostilities Mr. Tomes 
 has employed all the means at his command to sustain 
 in vigorous operation that which has been already 
 effected. He has displayed an unflagging interest in 
 the present and future well-being of the dental pro- 
 fession, and is never weary of urging forward thorough 
 reform, through education and self-culture, on all who 
 
340 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 propose to practise as dental surgeons. His pen lias 
 not been suffered to rest, as tlie work whicli lie first 
 published in his own name, and also the enlarged 
 edition of it, with which was associated the name of 
 his son— Mr. C. Tomes — will testify. 
 
 Not only in the matter of the removal of the Dental 
 Hospital of London to its present position, but in other 
 matters subsequent to that event — which it is not within 
 the province of this work to deal with — Mr. Tomes has 
 given many and vigorous proofs of his unabated desire 
 to benefit the dental profession, as such, and help for- 
 ward every member of it honourably conducting his 
 practice. He still adheres to the opinion of so many 
 around him, that the licentiate's degree, which he was 
 so mainly instrumental in obtaining, is that which de- 
 notes the holder's fitness to practise as a dental surgeon. 
 Even the loss of private friendship cannot alter his 
 settled conviction upon this important point. What- 
 ever new aspect the revolutions of time may produce 
 in the dental profession, there can be no shadow of a 
 doubt but that ]\Ir, Tomes' views will be eagerly sought 
 for, and as highly valued when obtained, as they cer- 
 tainly deserve to be. All that has transpired in the 
 past clearly confirms the idea in the minds of the really 
 impartial that the present acknowledged position which 
 Mr. Tomes holds among his co-practitioners has been 
 most fairly earned by years of devotion to the general 
 good, and by a series of services the cost of which no 
 one would for a moment either question or deny. 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 34 1 
 
 ME. J. U:^DEEWOOD. 
 
 From the time of Mr. Eobinson's associating himself 
 with the movement originated by Mr. Eymer, Mr. 
 Underwood, who was then in professional partnership 
 with Mr. Eobinson, has been identified with the progress 
 of reform in all its principal aspects. He has been one, 
 among many others, who has both hoped and striven 
 earnestly for true advance, and whenever and wherever 
 he has found, or even hoped to find, by resolution and 
 perseverance, an occasion or opportunity for raising the 
 professional status, he has very willingly identified him- 
 self with those he believed were labouring^ for that 
 desirable object, and supported such measures as he con- 
 sidered most likely to lead up to it. Mr. Underwood 
 throughout the many phases and ramifications which 
 has, the agitation of the last twenty years has developed, 
 always shown himself both thoughtful and prudent in 
 the various steps he has been led to take, and his judg- 
 ment has been singularly clear and sound. He was 
 amongst those who were first elected to a seat at the 
 council table of the College of Dentists of Enoiand, and 
 his value as a member of that body soon made itself 
 evident. Of an independent spirit, he generally spoke 
 distinctly from his own point of view, and being one 
 of those, whose number is by no means large, who can 
 express themselves publicly with good effect, his utter- 
 ances always commanded attention. 
 
 In the earlier days of reform, when meeting followed 
 meeting in such quick and constant succession, and in 
 the midst of which there was so much of conflicting 
 opinion, the advantage of this particular gift was consi- 
 derable. Those who have had occasion to meet him 
 under such circumstances have been constrained to feel 
 that what Mr. Underwood had to say and submit to 
 
342 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 tlieir consideration was said without prolixity or re- 
 dundancy of words, and withal in thorouojhly intelligible 
 language. He from the first felt keenly the degrada- 
 tion which so widely overspread the profession he was 
 practising, and was most anxious that some efficient 
 measures should be taken to brincr about the ameliora- 
 
 o 
 
 tion which others also with him regarded as so essen- 
 tially necessary. He believed firmly that a sound, 
 thorough, and comprehensive education was the best 
 means for accomplishing this. It was because he con- 
 ceived that Mr. Eymer's scheme was highly conducive 
 to that particular end that he, when solicited, gave it 
 his sanction and, presently, his assistance. 
 
 Once elected to the council of the Dental Colleoje, he 
 threw all his energy into the undertaking, was constant 
 in his attendance at the many meetings which took place, 
 and was counted upon as one of its firmest and most 
 influential supporters. When the action of the memo- 
 rialists in petitioning secretly the Eoyal College of Sur- 
 geons became a certified fact, it aroused his opposition, 
 and he did not hesitate to express his disapproval of the 
 step on all occasions when the subject was under con- 
 sideration. He felt that, in order to neutralise such 
 action, the complete organisation of the College of 
 Dentists, and its speedy and effective operation as a 
 centre of instruction, was the best method to be adopted. 
 To effect this he unhesitatingly lent himself to every- 
 thing likely to promote such a course and consumma- 
 tion. In due time, however, as has been recorded, the 
 idea of amalgamation became prominent, and wlien this 
 idea could only be carried out by the leading men of 
 the two opposing factions being brought into personal 
 contact for the purpose of discussing the project, it was 
 very natural, and, withal, appropriate, that Mr. Under- 
 wood should be chosen as the representative of the 
 Dental College to meet Mr. Tomes. 
 
 Although Mr. Underwood was the personal friend of 
 Mr. Keid, who had first thought of this particular method 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 343 
 
 of calming the angry strife which then existed, it was 
 not solely on that account that he was selected. There 
 was at that time an opinion, as if by common consent, 
 that he would be the best expositor of the views and 
 feelinc^s of those w^ith whom he was so earnestly 
 working, and that they could very safely rely upon the 
 quality of his mind and the clearness of his expressions 
 for a fair, faithful, and firm exposition of their prin- 
 ciples and the objects they sought to obtain. 
 
 It is but right to say that Mr. Underwood had 
 honestly earned this confidence of his brethren. The 
 hope they entertained was certainly not disappointed. 
 By the constitution of his mind, and his method alto- 
 gether, he decidedly was the best representative the 
 college could have selected. There can be no question 
 or doubt of Mr. Underwood havino- arc^ued the matter 
 in such a way with Mr. Tomes as most thoroughly to 
 commend himself, if not his colleagues or their scheme, 
 to that gentleman. At any rate, from the interview 
 which thus took place, a warm, lasting, and hitherto 
 unbroken friendship may be said to have sprung up 
 between these two practitioners, wdio before had been 
 thorough strangers to each other. The same qualities 
 which had led to this official duty eventually dictated 
 the subsequent appointment of Mr. Underwood to the 
 more delicate and difficult position of delegate upon the 
 subject of amalgamation. In that ordeal he acquitted 
 himself thorou^hlv w^ell ; and from his own keen sense 
 of honour, and feelim? that at the termination of that 
 conference all had been yielded and done which honour 
 and justice required from the delegates of the Odonto- 
 logical Society, he felt he could no longer hold office in 
 the College of Dentists if an adverse vote were given 
 upon the result of their joint deliberations. 
 
 The rejection of the terms of amalgamation which 
 had been arrived at consequently necessitated Mr. 
 Underwood's retirement from the college council, and 
 accordingly he was one of the sixty gentlemen who 
 
344 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 seceded at that juncture of affairs. His next step was, 
 when all hope of amalgamation with the Odontological 
 Society by the College of Dentists had faded away, to 
 join the former association; and he was accordingly 
 admitted a member. That membership has continued 
 to the present time ; and during the period that has 
 elapsed he has served in the most important ofhces 
 in connection with it, and has occupied the presidential 
 chair. As soon as the object of the society's petition to 
 the Royal College of Surgeons had been attained by the 
 establishment of the licentiate's degree, Mr. Underwood 
 sent in his name to the authorities in Lincoln's Inn 
 Fields as a candidate for examination, and on March 14, 
 i860, obtained his diploma. 
 
 When tiie idea of instituting the Dental Hospital of 
 London w^as mooted, Mr. Underwood was among the 
 number of those first connected with the enterprise, 
 and was one of the six gentlemen elected to the office 
 of dental surgeon to the charity. As one of the medi- 
 cal staff he has continued connected with the hospital, 
 with great benefit to the institution itself, and to the 
 students as well, ever since. His present tenure of that 
 office is by special request of the managing committee. 
 Since the retirement of Mr. E. Hepburn from the chair- 
 manship of the medical committee, that post has been 
 occupied by him, and, it is needless to say, with excel- 
 lent results. As an operator Mr. Underwood is bold 
 and successful, and the students cominsj under his in- 
 struction may never hope to have meanly executed 
 work slurred over, or passed without reproving notice. 
 Mr. Underwood does not hold the full membership of 
 the Eoyal College of Surgeons, but he is an instance 
 among many others of what education, perseverance, 
 and real practical knowledge can efiect. ^0 one would 
 deny the position he occupies as a thoroughly efficient 
 IDractitioner. In this sense he is a representative den- 
 tist. Although he by no means disparages the mem- 
 bership of the CoUege of Surgeons, yet he cannot but 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 345 
 
 notice the pretentiousness of some who assume a supe- 
 rior position in virtue of being able to place the initial 
 letters of membership after their names, but who can- 
 not demonstrate that superiority in any practical way, 
 and he makes no disguise of his opinions on such 
 conduct. Whatever the membership of the College of 
 Surgeons may do towards improving, or being thought 
 to improve, a dentist's social status, he for one — and 
 there are many besides — is firmly impressed with the 
 conviction that, alone, it cannot endow its possessor 
 with the power properly to practise as a dental surgeon. 
 He holds that all who take this latter position are 
 qualified to fill it only by a special education, such, 
 indeed, as the licentiate's degree includes and demands. 
 With the several matters which have occupied the 
 attention of the profession since the year 1856, Mr, 
 Underwood has been invariably more or less officially 
 connected ; and his appearance at the various committees 
 seems to be expected almost as a matter of course. 
 Certainly in him the profession has a zealous worker, 
 an intelligent and prudent supporter, and an -^•'•' . "Jf 
 firm and sincere friend. 
 
 It would not be just to omit the mention of other 
 names, besides those already dealt with at greater length, 
 as those of real workers in the cause of professional 
 advance, althous^h a full record concerning' them is not 
 practicable. Some did not become officially or other- 
 wise prominently connected with the reform movement 
 until it had taken definite form, and had become largely 
 developed. Among these' may be mentioned the late 
 Mr. E. Sercombe, whose early death formed a subject 
 of deep regret to all who knew him. He attended one 
 or two of the public meetings called together by Mr. 
 Eymer, but did not associate himself with the party 
 that gentleman represented. For several years he con- 
 tented himself with being a member of the Odontological 
 Society, and continued as such up to the time of his 
 
34^ DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 decease. Just prior to that sad event lie was called to 
 the presidential chair of that society, and throughout 
 his term of of&ce carried its affairs forward with the 
 vigour wdnch was so prominent a feature in his char- 
 acter. He was identified with the movement for re- 
 opening the College of Surgeons to those who had not 
 availed themselves of the privilege of seeking the licen- 
 tiate's degree as it originally offered itself. He was 
 also very active in the design of Mr. Saunders for re- 
 moving the Dental Hospital of London to its present 
 site, and also in the measure w^hich was taken for 
 obtaining for that gentleman the testimonial which w^as 
 eventually presented to him. There can be no doubt of 
 his strong desire to see a better condition of thinc^s in 
 the dental profession firmly established, notwithstanding 
 his abstinence generally from the earlier attempts made 
 to secure this. 
 
 Mr. Alfeed Coleman also has devoted much time to 
 the important movements as they have arisen, and has 
 brought to every question under discussion, with which 
 he has been concerned, the powers of an educated and 
 w^ell-ordered mind. When, through severe illness, the 
 author had to resign his position as honorary secretary 
 to the managing committee of the Dental Hospital of 
 London, Mr. Coleman succeeded him in that office for 
 some years, and, it need not be said, to the promotion 
 of the best interests of that important institution. He 
 has been officially connected with it as a member of the 
 medical staff, to the great benefit both of the charity 
 itself and the young men pursuing their studies there. 
 He has also held important offices in the Odontological 
 Society, of wdiich he is still a member, and although 
 his ideas concerning the licentiate's degree as contrasted 
 with the full membership of the College of Surgeons, as 
 shown in the steps which he and a few other gentlemen 
 have recently taken, may not be endorsed by the bulk 
 of his brother practitioners, yet there can be no doubt 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 34/ 
 
 as to his sincere and ardent desire that the dental 
 profession should rank higher than it already does. It 
 is, in fact, to such members of the dental profession as 
 Mr. Coleman fitly represents that others may fairly 
 look, in the well-grounded hope that no retrogression 
 shall by any means take place. 
 
 Mr. Kempton also deserves honourable mention for 
 what he has done in connection with the Metropolitan 
 School of Dental Science, his official position with 
 which he has so disinterestedly and for so long a 
 time filled to the satisfaction of all concerned. When 
 that enterprise was first launched, it was surrounded 
 by many difficulties — among others, that which arose 
 from the idea which then obtained, that it was to be 
 a rival to the London School of Dental Surgery. He 
 persevered, however, in the post and department to 
 which he was elected by his brethren who had estab- 
 lished the College of Dentists and then the school, 
 and has had resolution and eners^y enouoh to surmount 
 the various obstacles which lay across his path. 
 
 Mr. Hockley, as a colleague of Mr. Kempton, did 
 good work in connection with the College of Dentists, 
 having, from the time when the author resigned his 
 position as honorary corresponding secretary to that 
 institution, succeeded to that office, which was indeed 
 no sinecure, and maintained the post to the period when 
 the college itself was dissolved. He also undertook 
 to deliver a course of lectures on mechanical dentistry 
 at Cavendish Square, for which he was well qualified ; 
 and in more directions than one, and on all occasions, 
 gave ample evidence of his readiness and ability to 
 serve the cause of the profession's improvement. 
 
 Mr. Thomas Aexold Eogees has been one of those 
 quiet but substantial coadjutors in the work of reform 
 of whom it would be difficult to speak in too high terms 
 
348 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 of praise. Inheriting all his lamented father's excellent 
 qualities, he has ever shown the deepest interest in all 
 that concerns the welfare and real progress of the den- 
 tal profession, and has displayed a most cheerful alac- 
 rity to help whenever and wherever he has perceived 
 the slightest opportunity of doing so. Not only with 
 the truest courtesy, but also with keen perception and 
 discrimination, has he held himself in readiness to take 
 his x^art in the general effort which has been going on 
 throughout the last twenty years. He has been identified 
 with the Odontological Society from the first, and has 
 held important official connections with it, not omitting 
 the honourable position of president. 
 
 In every department of his varied usefulness Mr. 
 Eogers has brought to bear both scientific and practical 
 knowledge, and, moreover, has readily and liberally 
 contributed pecuniarily to the many objects which den- 
 tal reform has comprehended and included in its pro- 
 gress. 
 
 The qualities of his mind were quickly demonstrated 
 w^hen he kindly consented to become the dean of the 
 Dental Hospital of London. Under his careful super- 
 vision, the house was soon set in order, and new and 
 wide-reaching regulations introduced and established, 
 which all but revolutionised the former state of things, 
 but always for the palpable benefit of all concerned. 
 He undertook and rapidly completed a dental calendar 
 for the special use of the students — in itself a laborious 
 task, and one which involved a close and clear conception 
 of the students' needs, and the best method of meeting 
 them. His interest in their progress was practically de- 
 monstrated by his donation of "The Dean's Prize," and in 
 all his efforts, which have been so unremitting, there 
 has been an unmistakable desire to secure to the 
 future dental practitioner every benefit that the present 
 improved condition of the profession can offer him. 
 
 It cannot be a matter. of surprise to any one knowing 
 ,Mr. Eogers that the young men by whom he is sur- 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 349 
 
 roimded entertain for him high esteem and a feeling of 
 warm resrard, and have endeavoured to show this in a 
 very pleasant, and, moreover, practical form. 
 
 To find a gentleman of Mr. Eogers' experience as a 
 dental practitioner occupying a seat at the board of 
 examiners at the Eoyal College of Surgeons is so 
 natural, and by all means such an expected thing, that 
 his appointment to that important office caused no 
 surprise. To him the credit must be given of first 
 suggesting the desirability of every candidate for the 
 dental diploma passing the preliminary examination. 
 Such a step was certainly one in the right direction, 
 narrowing as it does, by a most proper and comprehen- 
 sive measure, the gateway which leads to the possession 
 of the licentiate's deoree. Unobtrusive and deferential 
 to the opinions of his colleagues as IMr. Eogers is, and 
 always has been, there is not, and, indeed, cannot be, a 
 truer or more sincere friend to the dental profession 
 than he, or one more instinctively ready to ofier all the 
 help which it is in his power to give. 
 
 Looking away from the metropolis, and turning the 
 thoughts due north, energy and unflagging effort are 
 perceptible there as well. In Edinburgh these qualities 
 have been evinced in the cases of several gentlemen 
 there, notably so in that of Mr. David Hepburx. With 
 the tendency to question and protest which seems to 
 be indigenous to some of the best of men, the establish- 
 ment of the Odonto-Chirurgical Society, together with 
 the institution of the annual dinner of the licentiates 
 in dental surgery, and the maintainence of both alike, 
 is not a matter which could be made succeed by a 
 simple wish in that direction. It has needed a great 
 deal of self-denial and perseverance to effect what has 
 been thus accomplished, and Mr. David Hepburn has 
 had both these qualities somewhat severely tested. 
 Believing, however, as he has done from the first, that 
 there was a necessity and an opportunity for a scientific 
 
350 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 society, and au annual commemoration of the most 
 important event in the annals of the dental profession 
 within the last twenty years, he has cheerfully given 
 time and attention to the securing of both these 
 matters. Misconceptions and misinterpretations are the 
 almost certain concomitants of all such undertakings, 
 and he has not been without his experience of these 
 things. Those, however, who know him best esteem 
 him most, and are certain that he acts in a really 
 disinterested and thoroughly unselfish spirit whenever 
 he puts his hand to a work such as that which he has 
 been so largely instrumental in accomplishing. 
 
 When the hopes of unity and progress seemed to all 
 but die out with others, Mr. Hepburn still held tena- 
 ciously to the belief that such things were possible, and 
 in this belief he had found a pleasure in working on. 
 Possessed of a kindly nature, he is not very easily ruffled 
 by unkind words from others, and certainly does not 
 pale before obstacles which to some would be formidable, 
 nor shrink at the prospect of plenty of hard, unthankful 
 work. He has been many times cordially supported by 
 the countenance of his brethren both around him and 
 at a distance, and is one of the last to appropriate any 
 share of praise which may result from the success of 
 enterprises with which he, in association with others, 
 has been engaged. His desire has been, and still is, to 
 contribute what he can to the profession's real benefit, 
 and is never better satisfied than when that object — 
 either by his colleagues or others — is likely to be ac- 
 complished. 
 
 In the establishment of the Dental Hospital at Liver- 
 pool there is another instance of real devotedness to pro- 
 fessional advance, with which Mr. Newman's name is 
 so distinctly associated. Tiiat charity is an evidence oi 
 what may be accomplished by determination and per- 
 severance. If all were known which concerned the 
 enterprise, and tended to check or divert the intentions 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 35 1 
 
 of those who with Mr. Newman laboured to have such 
 a charity established, there can be but little doubt that 
 many disheartening circumstances would have to be 
 recorded. When, however, the result proves such a 
 successful accomplishment of good desires and sustained 
 effort, there is but one thing left for all true friends of 
 the profession to do, namely, to accord to those who 
 have laboured so long and so well, the just meed of 
 praise which so evidently belongs to them; and here 
 Mr. JTewman stands foremost. 
 
 The same remarks apply to Mr. Paeker in connection 
 with the Dental Dispensary of Birmingham ; for long 
 services rendered and unselfishly discharged surely 
 command commendation. 
 
 Mr. Spence Bate, F.E.S., of Plymouth, by his efforts, 
 now long sustained, in regard to the inauguration and 
 maintenance of the Dental Dispensary in that town, must 
 be justly considered as one of the many who have con- 
 tributed to the consolidation and true progress of the 
 dental profession. He, too, has had his difficulties, but 
 the increasing usefulness of the charity which has been 
 set up in the town where he practises, and the certainty 
 that it works well in the direction of benefitino- the 
 students who enter it, are doubtless sufficient atonement 
 for any disappointment he and others working with 
 him may have been called upon to undergo. 
 
 The author feels that the distinct mention of the 
 kindness and interest shown by the late Mr. Belfour 
 formerly secretary to the Royal College of Surgeons, to 
 those who had to associate with him officially in regard 
 to the dental reform movement in its earlier and more 
 important stages, is but an act of the simplest justice, 
 and but a feeble tribute to his memory. 
 
 It would be difficult to say how much and how far 
 his co-operation contributed to the ultimate success of 
 
352 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 the undertaking whicli the memorialists first of all, and 
 then the Odontological Society, had taken in hand. 
 Certainly with some persons in such an office as that of 
 Mr. Belfour the result, if not actually marred, would 
 have been materially delayed. As it was, however, he 
 proved a true friend to the dental profession, and by 
 many acts outside the category of officialism contributed 
 in no unimportant measure to the end desired so ardently 
 by those more immediately concerned in the effort to 
 obtain recognition by, and affiliation with, the Eoyal Col- 
 lefre of Surqeons. 
 
 In his successor, Mr. Tpjmmek, the profession will 
 find one of a similar disposition ; and it is a great 
 pleasure to the author to state, that from the kindness 
 and courtesy he has himself personally received, he can 
 certainly assure those of his readers who will have 
 to know more of Mr. Trimmer than at present they 
 perhaps do, that in him they will find a gentleman 
 ready and pleased to assist them in those directions in 
 which they will be only too glad to find kindness and 
 help. 
 
( 353 ) 
 
 CHAPTEE XI 
 
 The dental profession in this country now stands on 
 broader bases and a more solid fonndation tlian have 
 ever before belonged to it. The realisation of this is, of 
 coTirse, vastly more palpable and vivid to some con- 
 nected with it than to others. It needs, in fact, to have 
 been of the number of those whose lot was cast some 
 twenty or thirty years ago, and whose training, surround- 
 ings, and expectations were tinged by the murky profes- 
 sional atmosphere which then prevailed, to thoroughly 
 feel and duly appreciate the many advantages which 
 now exist for the profession at large. No doubt to the 
 younger men it seems all but incredible that dentists, 
 who, as a class, have common interests — and always did 
 have them, whether the fact were recognised or not — 
 should have been so short a time since absolutely 
 estranged from each other, and all working, not only 
 in the dark, but working thus pre-eminently for them- 
 selves, and themselves only. To them it must appear 
 passing strange that practitioners in London were, to 
 all intents and purposes, as far from each other as any 
 widely- separated city or county is from the metropolis 
 itself. That such an isolation did exist it has been part 
 of the object of this work to prove; and in this, the 
 concluding chapter, it is a pleasant and grateful thing 
 to write it down as a condition which has passed away, 
 and, as the author believes, for ever. Estrangement 
 may, like a spectre, appear again ; its unwelcome visit 
 is not among the impossible things which beset a body 
 of men like the dental practitioners of this country ; but 
 
 z 
 
354 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 
 
 such a reappearance is highly improbable, and cer- 
 tainly may be prevented, or at least held in check, 
 should it come, by those who really represent the pro- 
 fession seeking to fulfil the position thus assigned to 
 them. 
 
 Compared with its former state, the dental profession 
 is now certainly, to a large extent, organised. The 
 opportunity has been given many times over for the 
 varied and conflicting opinions of those who desired to 
 make them known to be laid open to the general gaze 
 and submitted to the general scrutiny. In this sense 
 the long -sustained hostility of the once rival parties 
 was an admirable medium or vehicle. It was only as 
 the many and multiplied phases of professional require- 
 ments became known, through the agitation which once 
 prevailed, that what was necessary, and even impera- 
 tive, came at last to be distinctly seen. Upon that 
 protracted and somewhat painful experience the repre- 
 sentative dentist of this epoch takes his stand. 
 
 If there is not a Colleoe of Dentists of Emrland for 
 the present generation of young men to flock to and call 
 their Alma Mater, it is because such a method, with its 
 principle of independence, has been found, by trial and 
 proof, not to be the method best calculated to meet the 
 wants or accord with the proclivities of British dentists. 
 If, on the other hand, a close and distinct affiliation 
 with the Eoyal College of Surgeons for every respectable 
 and honourably-practising dentist is the recognised law, 
 which all such are encouraged and expected to acknow- 
 ledge and accept, it is because, after years of trial, this 
 method commends itself most clearly to those who have 
 the formation and direction of the professional mind 
 generally. 
 
 To annihilate estrangement, disorder, and selfishness, 
 a standard around which men may rally is a necessity 
 of the first importance. Those who laboured so strenu- 
 ously in the past for the amelioration of the many evils 
 which then obtained saw this plainly, and hence the 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 355 
 
 unremitting efforts which this work has chronicled, and 
 hence, after the two methods have been so vigorously 
 sifted, the choice of that which every true friend to the 
 profession does not hesitate to acknowledge as the best. 
 To have expected an improvement throughout the ranks 
 of the dental body without having earnestly searched 
 for, and, when found, tried, to the fullest extent possible, 
 the standard to be upraised, would have been sheer 
 infatuation and egregious folly. But the workers of the 
 past have an acquittal from all such charges, and a 
 proof of their correct judgment, in the results which 
 have followed their earnest thought, and their then 
 decided action. ISTot impetuously, but, on the contrary, 
 slowly — even, as some think and assert, too slowly — 
 have men gathered around the standard erected for the 
 general benefit. Those who, among the older members 
 of the profession, were inclined to disregard and do 
 without " the degree," have gradually felt their way 
 towards obtainino; it. The selfishness which led some 
 at the first to be content with the diploma they 
 possessed — in the confidence of their patients and the 
 public generally — eventually gave way before the just 
 perception that there was something they owed to the 
 generation which would succeed them. And conse- 
 quently, as that and similar sentiments asserted them- 
 selves, they came forward, and lent the influence of 
 their name to the promotion of a general advance, 
 and thus, not onl}^ performed an act of justice to 
 themselves and the younger men about to practise, 
 but added their contribution of testimony to the wis- 
 dom and prudence of those who had wrought on so 
 energetically to secure the degree for future aspirants 
 to dental name and fame. As the result of this course 
 of procedure by gentlemen for long established as 
 dentists, the students themselves were led to see that 
 such a step was, of all others, not only the most 
 necessary, but the best for them to take. Gradually, 
 therefore, the list of names of those who coveted, and 
 
356 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 at length obtained, the licentiate's degree increased, and 
 the profession now stands with this particular diploma 
 regarded as the sine qua non of the qualified dental 
 practitioner. Thus, then, has organisation not only 
 become a reality, but a reality in a sense which, 
 twenty years ago, seemed so impracticable as to fill the 
 minds of some of the most enthusiastic well-wishers 
 of the profession, and not a few of the most ardent 
 and indefatigable workers in dental reform, with dismay, 
 if not with despair. 
 
 Health, time, money, exertion, and much more besides, 
 have been laid heroically on the altar of the profession's 
 welfare, and such sacrifices render that which has re- 
 sulted from them, in a certain sense, sacred. Such a 
 statement may appear, perhaps, to some mere senti- 
 mentalism ; but there can be no doubt that those who 
 would lightly esteem the labour of others, or seek to 
 overturn or neutralise the result of their self-denying 
 efforts, are they who have not contributed much out of 
 their own mental, moral, or material wealth ; and, per- 
 haps, have not thought it worth their while to study the 
 motives and actions of those who have. 
 
 Xot only has organisation been, happily, to so large a 
 degree accomxDlished, but that which all true friends 
 throughout the dental ranks must certainly desire as its 
 sequence, namely, consolidation. With the isolation of 
 former days was weakness, instability, uncertainty. 
 When men stood apart from each other, how was it 
 possible for them to know what was passing in each 
 other's minds, and how nearly their common needs and 
 common desires approached to a common level ? The 
 inevitable result of such separation was discoverable in 
 the general tendency to concentrate all thought and 
 effort upon the individual's own interest, and make 
 every act to rotate on " self " as on a pivot. Organisation, 
 which has come at last, has brought with it in its train 
 friendliness, mutual interest, the recognition of right, 
 submission to higher principles, desire for progress, and 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 357 
 
 many other things which may be classified under the 
 one suergestive term — consolidation. 
 
 The dental body in this conntry is more worthy of 
 itself now than ever it was before. ]N'o individual 
 member need now complain of a forced isolation and 
 estrangement if he only practise as an honourable mem- 
 ber of an honourable profession. This is not only true 
 as a statement coming from within the profession, but 
 it is true also as an acknowledgment already distinct, and 
 gradually growing more so, from those who are outside, 
 and have the best opportunity of observation, and who 
 are, moreover, more or less interested in the stability 
 and progress of the profession — the medical practitioners 
 in particular. 
 
 The establishment of the Odontological Society was 
 an excellent and appropriate step in this direction. It 
 afforded an ample opportunity and provided a large 
 arena for the discussion of the many subjects and scien- 
 tific theories which dentistry, as such, embraces. To it 
 might be brought any and all new discoveries which 
 required discussion and analysis, with the undoubted 
 prospect of a free and full investigation of their respec- 
 tive merits. Encouragement was offered to every one 
 having new views to promulgate or exceptional experi- 
 ence to submit, with the certainty that what was neces- 
 sary to, or promotive of, the general welfare would 
 receive a fair and impartial hearing, and an authoritative 
 endorsement. An admirable stimulus to contributions 
 of scientific and practical interest has been given by 
 that society, and so long as it rigidly adheres to its first 
 principles, and maintains firmly a high standard, it will 
 continue to be an incalculable benefit to the whole 
 profession. 
 
 Should it become lax in the administration of its 
 laws, no effort should be spared to cause its executive to 
 respect both the letter and the spirit of its constitution ; 
 and if the rules which govern it prove inadequate to 
 the progressive action of the profession and its increas- 
 
35S DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 ing enliglitenment, new regulations should be made 
 more in accordance with the spirit of the present time, 
 so that it may ever be looked up to by the profession 
 generally, and the younger members in particular, and 
 all occasion and ground of reproach by its adver- 
 saries, if there are such, completely removed. As a cor- 
 rective to what in this country are considered unprofes- 
 sional practices it has been, and still is, of great 
 worth. To name only one will show how this purify- 
 ing influence may be exerted by it. From the first 
 it has discouraged and discountenanced the secret 
 acquisitions of knowledge. JSTo member of the Odon- 
 tological Society is permitted to hold a patent. 
 
 In this respect the present position of the profession 
 stands out favourably, and in strong contrast as well, to 
 the accepted order of things not many years ago. A 
 reference to the '' British Journal of Dental Science," 
 under the heading of " Patents," will enable the reader 
 to see with what eagerness many men in the past availed 
 themselves of the protection which the Patent Office 
 supplies to inventors. The series of papers furnished for 
 the above journal by Mrs. G. Owen tell their own tale. 
 The Odontological Society has insisted all along, and still 
 insists, that in a liberal profession, such as dentistry, the 
 hoarding up for the inventor's own pecuniary benefit of 
 any discovery he may make is altogether an unworthy 
 and undignified proceeding. Whatever, therefore, is 
 ascertained and proved as a step in advance must be 
 cast into the general fund of knowledge for the general 
 good, or membership with the society is forfeited. In 
 like manner it has dealt with the difficult subject of 
 advertising and advertisements. By its laws it would 
 infuse into the mind of the profession the necessity of 
 standing aloof from everything which savours of the 
 mercantile and tradesmanlike. 
 
 There can be no possible doubt that the light and 
 flippant ideas which formerly obtained concerning pub- 
 lic announcements have, through this society, received 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 359 
 
 a wholesome check. It has corrected much of the 
 erroneous notions which once existed as to what consti- 
 tuted canonical conduct ; and no individual who, either 
 openly or surreptitiously, attempts to win the attention 
 of the public by parading his name, may hope to have 
 that name enrolled upon its list of members. Whatever 
 may be done in the direction of educating the public on 
 this head by gentlemen who properly practise their pro- 
 fession, the Odontological Society has been, since its 
 formation, an admirable instructor of the profession 
 itself. It is of high importance to the younger men in 
 particular to know that what, through the disintegrated 
 condition of the profession, was tolerated twenty years 
 since, cannot be permitted now. 
 
 The temptations which an uninquiring and unre- 
 flecting j)ublic offer to the would-be advertiser must be 
 sternly and steadily resisted by all who claim to be 
 considered dental surcjeons, and desire to be in realitv 
 worthy of the name. It is of the last importance that 
 the Odontological Society should be so constituted and 
 so directed as that a high and healthy tone should be 
 its prominent and prevailing characteristic. In the 
 selection of its presidents hitherto this feature has been 
 very distinct. There has not yet been a single instance 
 of any gentleman who has been called to this important 
 position the mention of whose name has not commanded 
 immediate respect. The many papers read at its meet- 
 ings have, as a rule, been of great utility, and some 
 of the highest interest, conferring the greatest benefit 
 upon the profession generally. To have a society the 
 immediate tendency of which is to impart scientific and 
 practical knowledge to all concerned, is surely an ad- 
 vantage which cannot easily be overrated. Its power 
 for good in the direction of further organisation is, or 
 ought to be, considerable. That such has been its in- 
 fluence is certain. Gentlemen from all parts of the 
 three kingdoms, the Continent, and distant countries 
 and the colonies as well, have flocked to its standard, 
 
360 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 and felt themselves to be honoured by being in associa- 
 tion with it. It will be an evil day when this state of 
 things pales down from any cause ; and every member of 
 the society should so conduct himself as to make any 
 diminution of its high and proper influence impossible. 
 Hitherto, the dental profession proper of tbeUnited King- 
 dom has been focused in theOdontologicalSociety of Great 
 Britain. Its earliest aim and original effort and object 
 was to offer a recognised centre of science and practical 
 knowledge to the general body of practitioners through 
 its own elected members. This it may be justly said 
 to have accomplished. With the accession of so many 
 gentlemen of influence as its earlier list of names in 
 particular displayed, political power was accorded to it, 
 or, more properly speaking, was found in it. This, as 
 has been related in the body of this work, it 
 freely used. Hence the obtaining of the licentiate's 
 degree. Hence, also, the Dental Hospital of London, 
 with its natural and most appropriate sequence, the 
 London School of Dental Surgery. To say that these 
 two most important institutions are a complete success 
 is to utter the merest truth. They have been from the 
 first, and still are, an ever-increasing success. To think 
 of the state of the profession a couple of decades back 
 from this point of view, and then to compare that 
 condition with the many and multiplied advantages 
 which now exist, must be a i^reat reward to those who 
 nave endeavoured, through so many vicissitudes, and 
 with such manifest disinterestedness and self-denial, to 
 confer palpable and lasting benefit upon the present and 
 future generation of dental practitioners. Instead of 
 having to gather up meagre crumbs of information 
 under many difficulties, and endeavour to profit by them 
 with little or no assistance from others, as was formerly 
 the case, the student of to-day has innumerable oppor- 
 tunities of becoming familiar with and well practised 
 in all the departments of his profession. The field of 
 observation opened up and made accessible to him at 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 36 1 
 
 the various centres of instruction, both in London and 
 elsewhere, is an immense one, the vahie of which can- 
 not well be exaggerated. It is a time of reaping for 
 him, following upon, and the natural result of, the 
 patient sowing of others. 
 
 To sx)eak only of one institution — the Dental Hospital 
 of London — the general good done may be understood 
 all the more plainly from the statement of the fact, 
 that since its opening in the year 1868, no less a 
 number than two liunclred and fifty thousand cases of 
 treatment have been entered upon its books. To have 
 an opportunity of inspecting and studying from fifteen 
 to tw^enty thousand cases each year of his pupilage is a 
 gain which, although the student himself may not 
 accurately estimate or appreciate its value, those 
 w^ho know, from a long experience, what dental 
 practice demands wdll unhesitatingly admit. Xot 
 only at the above institution, but at the National 
 Dental Hospital as a special centre, and also at the 
 many general hospitals w^here dental practice is far 
 more closely pursued than was formerly the rule, the 
 student of to-day may find occasions for increasing his 
 practical knowledge which were altogether unknown a 
 generation ago. The carefully-prepared lectures de- 
 livered to the young men at their studies at the 
 difi'erent schools now in operation, both in the metro- 
 polis and the provinces, are channels through which 
 they may receive instruction that will be the means 
 of furnishing their minds with the most valuable 
 knowledge, the results of which will be clearly visible 
 to them and others in their future life and prac- 
 tice. The benefits now so freely offered to a student 
 do not terminate wdth the mere observation of a 
 very large number of patients at the hospital or 
 hospitals wdiich he attends. Confining the attention 
 of the reader mainly to the institution in Leicester 
 Square, the advantages which it offers may be briefly 
 thus alluded to. For a long time it has been the place 
 
362 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 where every novelty sought to be introduced to the pro- 
 fession is, almost as a matter of course, sent, in order to 
 its beiug submitted to a full and impartial test of 
 its merits. Inventors . of dental appliances and 
 materials for daily use in the operating room unhesi- 
 tatingly forward samples to the committee of manage- 
 ment, or to the medical officers, requesting their 
 opinion of them. Whenever it is deemed expedient to 
 subject these things to trial, it is always done in the 
 presence of the students, and results recorded, or other- 
 wise taken notice of. The exhibition of the various 
 anaesthetics, either alone or in combination, has been, 
 and still is, a noticeable feature in the practice at the 
 Dental Hospital of London. By the three able admini- 
 strators of anesthetics, specially appointed by the 
 committee for that purpose, or by others under their 
 immediate superintendence, as well as by some of the 
 medical officers, the important adjunct, ansesthesia, is 
 fully introduced to the student, its value enforced, its 
 danger explained, and its importance illustrated. Many 
 cases of great and special interest continue to be sent 
 to the Dental Hospital by the authorities at the general 
 hospitals, while in the range of its own practice in- 
 stances of difficulty and complication in the diseases 
 and affections of the mouth and teeth frequently occur, 
 thereby offering opportunities for observation which 
 could not fairly be expected in the course of private 
 practice by any means so often. Another means of 
 advancing the education of the young learner at this 
 particular institution is open to him in his being able 
 to witness for himself the particular methods of 
 twelve different operators through the week. Under 
 the personal direction of the dental surgeon, or the 
 assistant dental surgeon of the day, the pupil 
 is instructed how to commence, carry on, and com- 
 plete, the treatment of the case before him ; and the 
 general efficiency of the pupils on terminating 
 the period of their studies is the evidence and proof of 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 363 
 
 tlie sort of training they receive. The clinical lectures 
 and demonstrations, as first suggested by Mr. Thomas 
 A. Eogers, prove most beneficial to the students ; and 
 the eagerness with which, as a rule, the remarks of the 
 medical of&cers are listened to, and the various opera- 
 tions which at times they consider necessary to perform 
 are watched, furnish proofs of the estimation in which 
 this system is held by those for whose benefit it is 
 intended. The managing committee has strenuously 
 endeavoured to make the hospital a blessing to the 
 suffering poor, and at the same time an efficient means 
 of education in every department of dental practice to 
 those who enter there for that purpose. In this effort 
 the members of the medical staff have cheerfully and 
 constantly concurred. The beneficial result of this is 
 seen in the fact that a class of men is now found among 
 the junior members of the profession, of which, as a 
 body, their former teachers are justly proud. It may be 
 most truly said that all who have had the important 
 office of instructor to fulfil have been actuated by the 
 desire to impart all the knowledge they possessed to 
 those intrusted to their care, that, when their own 
 career shall close, they who are destined to succeed 
 them shall be men of stamp and C[uality in their pro- 
 fession. That these just and laudable intentions are 
 bearing excellent fruit already has been attested over 
 and over again. One evidence in proof of this is to be 
 seen in the fact that such practitioners as recjuire the 
 services of efficient assistants turn instinctively to the 
 hospital as their surest and safest resource. Certain it 
 is that not a few young men occupying positions of im- 
 portance and trust at the present time have been called 
 to their various posts mainly from the fact that they 
 had received their training at, and had been connected 
 with, the Dental Hospital of London. Such varied op- 
 portunities as are there given to the diligent and intel- 
 ligent pupil must necessarily eventuate in practical 
 skill. 
 
364 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 Ill order, however, that the treatment of the patients 
 attending this institution should not be the result of 
 manipulative skill alone, the London School of Dental 
 Surgery claims the time and earnest attention of the 
 student. To enable the young practitioner to bring to 
 a successful issue the various cases which are brought 
 under his observation and intrusted to his care, he is 
 instructed in the theory of his profession, and taught 
 upon what recognised scientific principles he should 
 base his method of action. Carefully-prepared lectures 
 have, from the first, been systematically delivered upon 
 all the subjects with which the student must needs be 
 familiar, and every effort is made by the lecturers to 
 impart a full knowledge of all such matters as are of 
 the highest importance. Apart from these lectures, 
 which embrace dental anatomy and physiology — human 
 and comparative — dental surgery and pathology, mecha- 
 nical dentistry, and metallurgy in its application to 
 dental purposes, the hospital pupils are frequently 
 called aside from the patient's chair, or during the time 
 of their attendance, to receive instruction on some sub- 
 ject of interest, the lesson being often illustrated by the 
 use of the black-board. Any case which offers an op- 
 portunity for demonstrating in a precise and particular 
 manner some given scientific theory or principle is 
 never neglected, but taken advantage of for the practical 
 benefit of the learners. 
 
 No one could become acquainted with the working of 
 this important hospital and school through all its various 
 departments, superintended as they are by the medical 
 staff, the lecturers, the dean, the house-surgeon or 
 assistant house-surgeon, without becoming thoroughly 
 convinced of two things at least. The first is, that 
 everything lying Avithin the range of human capability 
 is being done to fully instruct the rising generation of 
 dentists in this country in the principles and practice of 
 their profession ; and the second is, that, compared with 
 the condition of things surrounding dentistry, as such, 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 365 
 
 twenty years ago, its position to-day is as clear light to 
 darkness. It may safely be said that the student of the 
 present time may learn more in one month, nnder the 
 present regime, than he conld with an immense ex- 
 penditure of time and trouble have hoped to learn 
 formerly in an entire year. This has been so palpable 
 to many gentlemen and dental practitioners visiting the 
 hospital whilst the practice has been at its full, that the 
 observation has been made to the author over and over 
 again, "Is not all this instruction too freely distri- 
 buted ? " and, " Are you sure these young men appre- 
 ciate what is being done for them?" Those who 
 are engaged in the work of tuition there seem not to 
 be too anxious to answer these questions, either one way 
 or the other : their principal desire appears to be rather 
 to do their duty to the full extent of their power, and 
 leave results to speak for themselves. Certain it is that 
 if the future dentist be not better furnished than the 
 present, the responsibility will not lie at the door of 
 those who have the important office of instructor to 
 fulfil. These remarks, althoufrh made with direct refer- 
 ence to the Dental Hospital of London, may certainly 
 be applied to the jSTational Dental Hospital, and to the 
 provincial hospitals and dispensaries as well. 
 
 One of the encouraging features of the present as 
 compared with the past is the evident tendency which 
 exists in the direction of these special institutions spring- 
 ing up throughout the length and breadth of the land. 
 If this country is to have a larger supply of dentists 
 than heretofore, it becomes a paramount duty with those 
 who have any influence in the profession that tliey 
 should be a superior order of men. In this lies the 
 most certain cure for the plague of quackery. Ignorance 
 and impudence — which inevitably go together — are best 
 overcome by real knowledge, with its inevitable accom- 
 paniment of modesty. Not only will the public be 
 guaranteed, to a large extent at least, against the piracy 
 of the unprincipled pretender, but it wdll gradually learn 
 
S66 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 to look towards the qualified practitioner, and the quali- 
 fied practitioner alone, as its real and true helper in this 
 department of surgery. 
 
 By more highly educating the upcoming race of 
 dentists the medical profession also will perceive that 
 dentistry, or rather the practice of dentistry, is no 
 longer what it has been in the past to so great a degree, 
 a sham, " a delusion and a snare." The present position 
 of the profession is now no longer undefined. The im- 
 portant result which has been attained in the affiliation 
 of it to the Eoyal College of Surgeons has given it a 
 distinct position and a clearly-marked place among 
 kindred professions. It is for every real friend to use 
 his exertions to prevent the standard which has been 
 set up from being lowered. The curriculum imposed 
 by the executive in Lincoln's Inn Fields is of such an 
 order that it is now impossible for any young man to 
 take his degree without his being fairly, if not fully, 
 acquainted with the principles and practice of the pro- 
 fession he intends to follow. 
 
 Not only, therefore, has the student of the present 
 day various and multiplied opportunities of becoming 
 proficient in his studies, opportunities which were alto- 
 gether unknown to many of his seniors, but he has 
 facilities in the acquisition of knowledge which should 
 transform duty into delight. Whatever an intending 
 dentist of the last generation might propose to himself 
 as the object of his ambition and desire, one thing is 
 clear — that, outside of his own determination, he had no 
 encouragement to persevere. Even in the event of his 
 surmounting the huge obstacles which encumbered his 
 path, he had no position — recognised as such — offered 
 or made possible. AU that he could do was to endea- 
 vour to prosecute his work in an honourable manner, 
 and be content with the acknowledgment which a good 
 conscience and a slowly increasing practice perhaps 
 might yield him. 
 
 Fortunately for the student now, there is also to be 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 36/ 
 
 added to the opportunities and facilities which lie thickly 
 around him the mark of distinction and recomition as 
 
 o 
 
 a professional man which the licentiate's degree con- 
 fers. Much has been said concerning this degree, 
 and not a little by way of detraction and disparage- 
 ment ; but the most absolute answer which can be made 
 to all who would take away from its real value, and the 
 most encouraoinc? to such as have advocated it and con- 
 tinue to advocate it, lies in the undeniable fact that it 
 is more earnestly sought after than ever, and is justly re- 
 garded by the impartial as the proper and distinguishing 
 mark of the duly qualified dental practitioner. 
 
 Whatever deficiency may have been discoverable by 
 the hypercritical concerning the admission of partially 
 educated men to participation in the benefits which 
 the possession of this degree confers, there can be 
 no just cause of complaint in this direction now. The 
 edict which has gone forth, which will speedily enforce 
 the passing of the preliminary examination by all intend- 
 ing candidates, sets this q_uestio vexata at rest. jSTo indi- 
 vidual ignorant of what are known as the essentials of 
 general knowledge is eligible for examination under 
 the new order. The wide range which the curriculum 
 takes gives every assurance that those who seek to 
 obtain the coveted de^ee have been well instructed in 
 
 o 
 
 the details of their profession, while the high and uni- 
 versally acknowleged position and recognised attain- 
 ments of the o'entlemen formino; the board of exami- 
 
 O CD 
 
 ners at the Royal College of Surgeons alike forbid any 
 idea of undue clemency being shown to those who 
 appear at Lincoln's Inn Fields for examination. 
 
 Whatever has been advanced concerning the neces- 
 sity of all dentists being full members of the College of 
 Surgeons may, or rather must, be considered by the side 
 of the results of the practice of such as are full mem- 
 bers. There has been, up to the present, no over- 
 powering proof that surgeons produce better examples 
 of manipulative skill or remedial treatment than licen- 
 
368 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 tiates, and in many instances the very reverse has often 
 been demonstrated. The question of the sufficiency or 
 insufficiency of the licentiate degree is one which may 
 be argued at any time by any one. 
 
 If it can be fairly shown that its possessors are not 
 equal to the demands which high-class and thoroughly 
 legitimate practice always makes, there can be no 
 doubt that the council of the Eoyal College of Sur- 
 geons would be ready and willing to remedy any defect 
 in the present order of things, but it would be difficult 
 for those who think the present curriculum defec- 
 tive to show palpable reasons for their opinion. Less 
 than twenty years may appear, in the minds of some, 
 to be a period long enough for any code of regulations 
 to be in operation, but unless something more than the 
 mere lapse of time can be advanced for alteration, the 
 advocates of chans^e have but a feeble cause in their 
 hands. 
 
 The legislation which has brought the dental profession 
 into its- present acknowledged position, the steady work- 
 ing of the accepted order of things, and the consequent 
 advance made in the capabilities and practical know- 
 ledge of the young practitioner, are benefits so palpable, 
 that to disturb them, without a strong and legitimate 
 reason, may well be accounted a grave and serious mis- 
 take. There can be no doubt that improvements from 
 time to time will be necessary, and is plain enough t o 
 even the casual observer. 
 
 Life — it matters not in what aspect it is considered 
 — is progress. The dental profession, if it is to be 
 worthy of the name, must not hope to escape from this 
 inevitable law, but rather gladly accept it as that by 
 which it seeks to be £^overned and directed. Yet, while 
 all this is true, cliange, whenever and however it may 
 come, must not be capricious or whimsical. Neither 
 must it be for the gratification of the ideas of the few, 
 but nmst bear upon its surface, and display all through 
 its entirety, the manifest desire and object of its intro- 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 369 
 
 ducers, and that must be the distinct and permanent 
 benefit of the majority. The error of the reformers of 
 the profession — that is, so far as one side of the ques- 
 tion is concerned — in the past, was exclusive action. 
 Now, that the dental body is organised, consolidated, 
 instructed, recognised, and a distinct position accorded 
 to it, that mistake must not be repeated. 
 
 Another feature of the present position of the pro- 
 fession is that of enlarged experience. In the course 
 of years it cannot but be expected that new theories, 
 new discoveries will be made known, and, in fact, those 
 whose life is ensfacred with the intimate association that 
 it holds with both science and art are constantly on the 
 alert, and eaq-er to welcome the announcement that 
 somethincj fresh has been brouc^ht to lio'ht. The dental 
 profession has not been exempt from these sentiments 
 and experiences. It takes its present stand all the 
 more firmly because of what it has been compelled to 
 know of several matters, which have been the result of 
 painstaking investigation in the domains of science and 
 art alike. One of the subjects it has considered, tried, 
 and laid aside is " Congelation " on Blundell's system. 
 The eao'er desire to obtain some distinct method of ob- 
 tundiug sensibility made the announcement of this 
 method a piece of welcome news to all concerned twenty 
 odd years since. The matter was taken up, considered 
 earnestly, tried, and by some commended, but gradually, 
 and after a while, was laid aside. The local application 
 of cold for the purpose of extracting teeth on Blundell's 
 plan has no place with the dentists of the present day. 
 Experience has taught the profession the lesson of its 
 inadequacy to the demand made. Electricity also has 
 had its trial, and is now relegated to the limbo of the 
 past. In its day it pretended to be a panacea for tlie 
 evils which it was considered able to remove ; but, like 
 cougelation, having been weighed in the balance, it was 
 found wanting, and to-day no one thinks of electricity 
 as an agent, the use of which would enable a patient to 
 
 2A 
 
370 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 be indifferent to the painful process of extraction of 
 teeth. Eventuall}^ the ether spray was introduced by 
 Dr. Eichardson, and for a time, and in certain cases, 
 greatly approved.* It had its difficulties and its draw- 
 backs, however, and the profession, as a rule, does not 
 depend much upon it, if, indeed, at all, now. Chloroform, 
 as the king of anaesthetics, has been largely nsed in the 
 dental profession, and the experience of some of the 
 senior practitioners has been obtained by trying ordeals, 
 and in some cases with terrible results. When the 
 dental surgeon has to lay his account with chloroform, 
 he knows that he is dealing with a giant who sometimes 
 kills in the dark, and, therefore, this agent is not so un- 
 hesitatingly nsed as when it was first introduced by the 
 late Dr. Simpson, and so largely administered by the late 
 Dr. Snow. From ether — first applied to dental purposes 
 in this country by the late Mr. James Eobinson — all 
 through the catalogue of anaesthetics the experience of 
 the dental profession has gone, and the large and all 
 but general adoption of the nitrous oxide gas, as the 
 most appropriate agent for anaesthetic purposes in den- 
 tal practice, is the result of painstaking trial and innu- 
 merable experiments and observation. 
 
 All these things make the ground firmer beneath the 
 feet of the younger men in particular, and put into their 
 hands much information, which only a series of years 
 of study and growing experience could produce. How- 
 ever the profession may have been agitated, it has not 
 permitted itself to be blinded to its own real interests ; 
 and what it has gathered together it now places at the 
 disposal of all. With the impetus that has been given 
 to education has come the natural demand for improve- 
 ment in the various appliances which the dentist, both 
 in the operating room and laboratory, daily requires. 
 A glance at the depot list of instruments and the 
 articles there supplied, reveals a wonderful fulness in 
 
 * The author has found it very useful in cases of torsion of the 
 superior central incisor teeth. 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 3/1 
 
 the repertoire of ttie dentist compared with the number 
 and fitness of instruments formerly in use. Mechanism 
 of the highest order and best kind is at the disposal of 
 all, and admirably adapted to every sort of requirement. 
 The manufacturers of dental instruments have kept 
 pace in their supply with the demands laid upon them, 
 and it cannot be said that inferior work, whether in the 
 operating room or laboratory, is due to a lack of good 
 implements to perform it with. 
 
 Although this country has been thoroughly alive to 
 these particular needs, and active and successful, too, in 
 meeting them, yet it cannot be denied that English 
 dentists are largely indebted to their American brethren 
 for many of the advantages they now possess. In the 
 department of chemistry a noticeable progress has been 
 made. It were needless to mention the many in- 
 valuable drugs which are in constant use now, seeing 
 they are so well-known, but a large number of them 
 were a short time since either undiscovered or not 
 utilised by the dentist. In whatever direction the 
 mind may turn, there is abundant evidence to prove that 
 the dental profession is now so completely launched on 
 the stream of improvement and unquestionable useful- 
 ness, that no fear may be entertained of its sure and 
 steady development. The desire for knowledge is fully 
 met in the society and schools, while the practical 
 application of acquired skill has its opportunities before 
 it in the various departments of the hospitals in the 
 metrox-)olis and the provinces. The incessant labours 
 of the many friends of the profession since 1856 are 
 proving their value in all directions. 
 
 Professional literature must ever be reo'arded as one of 
 
 o 
 
 the most powerful helps to progress that can be brought 
 to bear upon the minds of all dkectly concerned. As 
 a specialty dentistry cannot hope to have a profuse 
 library of works of reference ; yet, as a department of 
 surgery, and one, moreover, where art goes hand in 
 hand with science; it has ample scope for authorship ; 
 
372 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 but it is of the last importance that when the pen is 
 used it should be wielded by those who really have 
 some practical knowledge to impart to others, and not 
 employed in the production of works which contain 
 merely, in the writer's own language, the utterances of 
 men whose sentiments and statements they have them- 
 selves already made public. The profession requires 
 text books, works to which all may refer, and that 
 safely, for distinct guidance on given subjects. When 
 writings such as liave appeared as the joint production 
 of Mr. Tomes and Mr. Charles Tomes are given to the 
 practitioner and student, they are accepted as valuable 
 contributions to dental literature. Such a work as that 
 by Mr. Salter is of the order about which the profession 
 can afford to be pleased, and proud as well as pleased. 
 The promised work of Mr. Charles Tomes on Anatomy * 
 will doubtless be a welcome addition to the store of 
 knowledge already possessed, proving — as it is certain 
 it will — that the subject has been efficiently elucidated 
 by a thoughtful and well-cultivated mind. If others, 
 besides, thoroughly capable of addressing their brethren, 
 would undertake to do so upon these plans and princi- 
 ples, the benefits would be immense. 
 
 Journalism, or periodical dental literature, is an- 
 other excellent channel of good. There can be 
 no doubt of the benefits arising from journalism pro- 
 perly directed and thoroughly devoted to the inte- 
 rests of the dental profession. Such an adjunct would 
 be of immense value, especially to the students and 
 younger practitioners generally. At present, as is well 
 known, the profession is said to be represented by 
 two publications, each appearing monthly, though at 
 different dates of issue. " The British Journal of 
 Dental Science," now twenty years old, still maintains 
 its position as tlic journal ; but its editor would be the 
 last person to admit that it fully meets the require- 
 ments of its readers, or answers altogether his own 
 
 * Since published. 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 373 
 
 purposes or desires. " The Quarterly Journal " has 
 long since died out, having been followed by, or rather 
 transformed into, " The Dental Eeview," which also in 
 its turn succumbed to inexorable fate. '' The Monthly 
 Eeview," edited by Mr. Oakley Coles, w^as started in 
 1872, to fill what was considered by its projector to be 
 a vacancy in dental journalism. But the same remark 
 may be applied to it that has been made concerning its 
 elder brother. Political articles are, happily, not a neces- 
 sity, as they were in the earlier days of reform, and an 
 occasional lout well-written statement in the place de- 
 voted to '' leaders " is all that is really rec[uisite under the 
 present circumstances of the profession. It is not simply 
 the writer's, but many others' idea besides, thata Quarterly 
 Eeview containing, as its main feature, highly scientific 
 and soundly practical papers on the many subjects which 
 the profession includes in its various departments would 
 far better meet the demands not only of the young and 
 inquiring minds, but of the older and far-advanced 
 practitioners as well. Some years ago an attempt was 
 made to supply such reading for the dental profession 
 in a publication entitled " The Archives of Dentistry," 
 under the auspices of Mr. T. E. Truman ; but that 
 effort failed, only some few numbers appearing. The 
 dentists of this country were not, even a short time 
 back, in such a position as they now occupy to 
 appreciate really scientific literature. The impetus to 
 do so is only now becoming really felt, and, therefore, 
 any contribution in the above direction would 
 certainly have a far higher probability of acceptance 
 by the profession generally than hitherto. Those who 
 would be real friends to the younger practitioners 
 in particular, could not do better than occupy their 
 leisure in furnishing, through some channel or other, 
 communications of a thoroughly superior order. 
 Such readinfj would harmonise with, and add 
 stren£fthenincf to, the teaching; which the student 
 receives in the lectures delivered in the various 
 
374 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 general and dental schools. There are many subjects 
 touched on by the lecturer, when instructing his 
 class, that would amply repay both him and his 
 hearers too, if further elucidated and put before them 
 in print. To give Mr. Fox his due, it must be ac- 
 knowledged that he has many times asked for such 
 papers for his journal, and appealed to^ those who 
 are well able to write them to assist in the cause 
 of true professional education. It cannot be said, how- 
 ever, that the publication he conducts has been re- 
 markable for contributions of this kind. To be com- 
 pelled to fill up a journal, which is bound to appear 
 once every month, with clippings and cuttings from 
 other periodicals is unsatisfactory in the extreme. 
 Xotices of subjects altogether irrelevant not only dis- 
 appoint, but are apt to disgust the reader, eagerly 
 searching for information in connection with his own 
 immediate studies. It might be that those gentlemen 
 who are so thoroughly qualified to give the results of 
 their mature experience or advanced thought would 
 respond to such a request if a longer time between the 
 issues of the journal were allotted to them. 
 
 There is, of course, the commercial aspect of such 
 suc^cpestions as these, but that is a matter wdiich the 
 proprietor of any journal must consider for hmiself. 
 What voluntaryism cannot be coaxed into conceding, 
 a liberal pecuniary payment will seldom fail to obtain. 
 One thing, however, is very clear — if the dental profes- 
 sion is to be thoroughly well represented by its journal 
 or journals, those publications must, of necessity, be 
 fully equal to the demands which a more enlightened 
 and more advanced condition of things around will, 
 legitimately and assuredly, claim. On this point there 
 need be no reason to fear the directors of dental jour- 
 nalism wall be either obtuse or blind. This department 
 of literature may be made to exercise a very healthy or 
 a very retarding influence on the dental profession, 
 according as it is worthilv or unworthily exercised. It 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN, 375 
 
 would be well, also, if every contributor would conde- 
 scend to lay aside all really unnecessary technicalities 
 in the papers they may from time to time offer. In 
 such matters the advice of one who was no mean autho- 
 rity — the late Dean Alford — might surely be accepted 
 and followed with advantage. He said, '' Be simple, be 
 honest in your speaking and writing. ISTever use a 
 long word where a short one will do. Call a spade a 
 spade, and not a well-known oblong instrument of hus- 
 bandry ; let home be liomc^ not a residence, a place a 
 i^lace, and not a locality ; and so of the rest. AYhere a 
 short word will do, you always lose by using a long 
 one. You lose in clearness ; you lose in honest expres- 
 sion of your meaning; and in the honest opinion of all 
 men who are qualified to judge you lose in reputation 
 for ability." That there should be good, clearly-ex- 
 pressed, practical, and scientific reading provided, espe- 
 cially for the student and younger practitioners, is a 
 self-evident fact. While in former years a mere smat- 
 tering^ of knowledcre was deemed sufficient for the den- 
 tist, the happily-changed circumstances and condition 
 of the profession, which make the object and aim of the 
 present practitioner to be to obtain the largest amount 
 of information, necessitate the supply of such mental 
 food, not only in ample quantity, but in quality as well. 
 It is not an exaggeration to say, as a sign of the dis- 
 tinct advance made by the profession generally, that 
 those who have obtained the licentiate's degree are giving 
 welcome evidence of their desire and resolve to practise 
 in a hidi and honourable manner. While such a state- 
 ment as this may still bear modification in some in- 
 stances and some directions, nevertheless, to a great 
 extent, it is strictly true. 
 
 The great desire of those gentlemen who have for so 
 long a time made such strenuous efi'orts, and submitted 
 to so much self-denial for the common good, has been 
 to see their future successors fully alive to the demands 
 of true professional conduct. By this means they be- 
 
37^ DENTAL REFOR.Vl IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 lieved that they would surely and firmly elevate the 
 profession which they themselves had adorned. Their 
 object was to raise up a generation of men, able and 
 disposed to practise as educated gentlemen. This only 
 could redeem dental surgery from the mire in which it 
 had so long grovelled, and assuredly in the future wrest 
 it from the grip of the ignorant and unprincipled. They 
 believed that the remedy for charlatanism did not lie in 
 the direction of any amount of pamphleteering — how- 
 ever that might lay bare the misdeeds of the unprin- 
 cipled and impudent pretender — nor depend upon rigid, 
 restrictive legislative enactments. Quackery had been, 
 as it still is, their horror and constant annoyance. 
 They have been all along humiliated by the hateful 
 practices of men assuming to be called " professional," 
 but who by their actions declared themselves to be 
 ignorant of the meaning of the word, and were conse- 
 quently not amenable to its recognised laws. The sac- 
 cess of their praiseworthy efforts to erect a new and 
 elevated status for dental practitioners, worthy of the 
 name, has led them to hope that gradually the standard 
 which has been set up will be thoroughly and gladly 
 respected. 
 
 The full recognition of dental surgery by the Legisla- 
 ture and the Eoyal College of Surgeons, as a branch of 
 surgical practice, is such an alteration for the better, 
 so decided an improvement over that condition which 
 existed 'prior to the year i860, that those who were 
 engaged in obtaining it may now well believe in future 
 advance. Their arduous and self-denying labour has 
 resulted in lifting the profession out of the low estate 
 into which it had sunk, and placing it on a fair and 
 level road for the time to come. 
 
 Like many other things, the future of dentistry in this, 
 country is in the hands of the young men of to-day. It 
 will become just what they resolve to make it. A trust 
 has been placed in their hands which it is quite competent 
 to them to honour or dishonour. At present there is no 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 2>77 
 
 reason whatever to doubt the proper use of the many 
 and multiplied advantages which the junior members 
 possess, or fear that any retrogression will ever take place. 
 There are, of course, still, many difficulties to encounter 
 and overcome. From the fact of their acknowledojed 
 superiority to many others, the educated race of young 
 dentists will keenly feel the rampant empiricism which 
 still taints and tarnishes the profession they are follow- 
 ing. They will have to bear with this as their prede- 
 cessors have done ; but, being where they are, and what 
 they are, they will be better able to exercise an influence 
 for its suppression than was accorded to their seniors in 
 days gone by. The power lies within their reach, and 
 is ready to their use, to prove their superiority to, and 
 their distinct separation from, those individuals who so 
 unblushingly endeavour to win over, or rather entrap, 
 the unwary public day by day. They must not expect 
 that charlatanism will die an easy and speedy death. 
 They may certainly look for assistance in their attempts 
 to suppress it from the journals which so ably represent 
 the medical profession, to which they are now completely 
 affiliated. If these periodicals would steadily abstain 
 from favourably reviewing the many and constantly 
 issued pamphlets and hrocliures which are forwarded to 
 them for that purpose, one important channel, at least, 
 of their obtaining publicity would be broken up. It 
 has been a matter of surprise and annoyance often ex- 
 perienced by the legitimate dental practitioner to see 
 how blind some reviewers of these pretentious sheets 
 have been to the commonest and, ordinarily, best known 
 truths concerning dental practice. 
 
 It may be, perhaps, too much as yet to hope that the 
 secular press will act in this direction, or that advertise- 
 ments in the acknowledged place for such things, either 
 in the medical or daily ordinary newspapers, will disap- 
 pear. Money-gain still wields its powerful sway in so 
 many directions, and in the above directions included, 
 that the advertiser who holds a golden key will not yet 
 
37^ DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 despair of its successful use. However, time and per- 
 severance may be relied on, if properly utilised, to 
 bring about a difference at last, even there. It will be 
 the constant duty of all who seek still further and 
 further to elevate the dental profession, to prove that it 
 is a real profession, and a most honourable calling, by 
 their proficiency in practising it, and their correct con- 
 duct towards those who seek their advice and skill. 
 
 On the other band, there may be a difficulty, or rather 
 a danger, with some, in the endeavour to make dentistry 
 more than it really is. While they seek to uphold it, 
 and be proud of it, it will be well if they are upon their 
 guard against the subtlety of this latter temptation. 
 The part is not, and cannot be greater than the whole 
 — the less must ever be included in and by the greater. 
 The branch should never be mistaken for the trunk ; 
 and, after all, this is the true relation of dental surgery 
 to the medical profession. For the dental practitioner 
 to assume the airs of the medical practitioner would be 
 certainly most unwise. He has a department of surgery 
 to practise, and, if properly considered, it will soon be 
 seen to contain in it a fulness sufficient to absorb and 
 engross all his time and all his powers. 
 
 Whether he hold the full membership of the Eoyal 
 College of Surgeons or not, if his vocation be that of 
 the dental practitioner, let him be content with practis- 
 ing, and, moreover, being considered by others, as such. 
 It may be in the future that further changes will take 
 place in the profession which will render it advisable 
 that every dentist should hold the full degree of mem- 
 ber, as well as that of licentiate. Even now there can 
 be no possible objection to such a step being taken by 
 all who are at present prosecuting their studies. But 
 with such a curriculum as that already imposed in con- 
 nection with the licentiateship, and with such an exa- 
 mination as that to which all candidates for that dip- 
 loma are subjected, it would be a warped and notably 
 partial mind, indeed, that would conceive that the know- 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 3/9 
 
 ledge thus demonstrated to have been obtained by the 
 successful candidate was a knowledge inadequate to all 
 his future requirements as a dental surgeon. 
 
 But should this be even so, there is nothing to inter- 
 fere with or prevent the test to be applied being increas- 
 ingly stringent and severe. Up to the present the 
 author, in his many conversations with those who are 
 members of the Eoyal College of Surgeons as well as 
 licentiates, has not heard one assert that when he takes 
 up his position in his operating-room he feels himself 
 to be a better and more practical dentist than when 
 he was only able to add the letters L.D.S to his name. 
 Social status may be secured or improved by full mem- 
 bership with the college, and for this purpose simply it has 
 been sought for, and obtained by several practitioners of 
 dentistry ; but its practical benefit to the dental surgeon 
 is, at least in the minds of many, a shadowy conjecture. 
 Either the licentiate's degree is a sufficient proof of 
 its possessor's fitness to practise the art and science 
 of dental surgery, or it is not. If the latter be true, 
 then those who are in the position to bring about the 
 desired alteration must put their hands to the good and 
 imperatively necessary work of making it so. In such 
 an effort they might count upon the support and influ- 
 ence of every dental practitioner in the kingdom worthy 
 of the name, without the remotest fear of theu' being 
 denied to them. With the increasing acquaintance 
 by all interested persons with ^ the real and practical 
 value of the dental diploma, facilities will also increase 
 in the dhection of gentlemen holding it being elected 
 to positions of honour and trust in the various hospitals 
 of the metropolis and the provinces. The insisting 
 upon the candidates for the- post of dental surgeons to 
 these institutions being members of the College of Sur- 
 geons will not, it is to be hoped, be so dogmatically en- 
 forced as it has been hitherto. Gentlemen who hold, 
 by the means of a special education and subsequent 
 special examination, the degree which the College of 
 
380 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 Surgeons itself lias proclaimed tlu proof of real qualifi- 
 cation to practise their special department of surgery, 
 OTight assuredly to be entitled to the hope that, when 
 that particular post requires some one to fill it, they 
 mi^ht be considered eligible. It can be but a matter 
 of time, and this will come about. Patience must be 
 exercised in this as in other directions, and eventually 
 the legitimate dental practitioner will be better under- 
 stood than at present, and, consequently, better appre- 
 ciated. 
 
 One of the cA^entualities which lie away in the mist 
 of the future — the appointment of dental surgeons, as 
 such, in the army and navy — it may be hoped will 
 gTadually take form and reality. This idea is by no 
 means new. It has been discussed a^ain and as^ain ; 
 but only as the proper treatment of the affections and 
 diseases of the teeth and oral cavity becomes clearly 
 apparent to those in authority will the probability here 
 referred to assume definite form and proportions. There 
 can be no doubt that more importance than ever before 
 is now attached by the general public] to teeth, and 
 their proper treatment in health and disease. This 
 feeling, it is but reasonable to conclude, will gradually 
 ramify and extend itself until it shall reach the men in 
 our armies and fleets. 
 
 In the meantime those who hope legitimately to re- 
 present the profession they have espoused must look 
 well to their individual conduct and character, the eyes 
 of so many being now directed to, and resting upon, 
 them. Those who have lately commenced practice will 
 not surely forget the sacrifices they have themselves 
 made in order to obtain the knowledge they possess, 
 nor will they, in justice to their instructors, lightly 
 esteem the sacrifices made on their part, in order to put 
 the results of long experience fully, and withal so 
 pleasantly, within their reach. The future of the dental 
 profession will be coloured, if not actually shaped, very 
 much by their method of treating facts in their daily 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 38 1 
 
 practice. It would be wise upon their part if they 
 would take the trouble to resjister both the facts and 
 the treatment pursued, for reference, as they might be 
 subsequently required. Data, carefully kept and cata- 
 logued, may involve some time and trouble, but as the 
 practitioner commencing his professional life has, as a 
 rule, a little of this to spare, it could not be much better 
 employed than in the above direction. From such a 
 book of records he might speak with certainty at the 
 Odontological Society, or write with precision when 
 inclined to make a contribution of his experience to the 
 journals devoted to such subjects as those he would 
 comment upon. 
 
 There is a tendency, especially with some, in all de- 
 partments of scientific and practical life, to elaborate in 
 everything written, said, or done. The various opera- 
 tions on the teeth certainly present temptations in this 
 direction. "While, on the one hand, it is of the last 
 importance that what is commenced should be properly 
 and absolutely completed, and in order to effect this 
 many instruments and innumerable applications of them 
 may have to be used, yet, the multiplication of these, 
 beyond that which is absolutely necessary, is to be con- 
 demned, and ought to be avoided. The author is led to 
 make this remark from what, in his official position at 
 the Dental Hospital of London, he has often been com- 
 pelled to witness among the students there. A simple 
 operation ought to be performed in a simple way, and 
 not hampered about T\ith complex and diversified 
 methods. There are those, however, who fancy that 
 the latter plan is not only necessary, but positively cor- 
 rect, and, moreover, "scientific." It should ever be 
 remembered that the charm and value of every ingenu- 
 ity is simplicity. To this end every artificer, construc- 
 tor, inventor, properly so called, labours to attain. 
 Nature teaches the same lesson, and art is most truly 
 art when it is simple and plain. To enshroud a thing 
 about to be done with mysteriousness, to employ ten 
 
382 DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 times as many instruments as are necessary to its ac- 
 complishment, and then to consider or call the process 
 scientific, is distinctly a mistake. Those who are well 
 grounded in the principles and the practice of their pro- 
 fession will find it most to their credit, and certainly to 
 their advantage, to seek to arrive at the desired end in 
 all they attempt by means which are as little encum- 
 bered by the complex as it is possible for them to be. 
 One of the distinct benefits accruing to the students at 
 the above institution has been the dissemination of in- 
 struction, to a large extent, on this principle. The young 
 men have had the reasons given for different methods 
 being applied under the various aspects of the cases 
 placed before them for treatment, but that which was 
 plain, simple, and direct, encouraged as the plan most 
 to be recommended. The showy, as a rule, always 
 savours of the charlatan, and has, therefore, been steadily 
 discountenanced. It is to be hoped that in their pri- 
 vate practice this will not be laid aside or practically 
 forgotten. 
 
 The lever now in the hands of the profession is Edu- 
 cation. This must be sedulously employed, until the 
 dental body in this country — and it is to be hoped in 
 the sister island, and in Wales also — can be fairly re- 
 garded and known as men fully equipped for their pro- 
 fessional pursuits. Self-culture will bring self-respect ; 
 and this, in turn, when properly manifested, will secure 
 the co-operation of the medical profession, and that part 
 of the outside public which is given to discernment, in 
 establishing the reputation of the dental surgeon, and 
 according to him his rightful position among the scien- 
 tific gentlemen of his time. 
 
 The hope of " registration " for licentiates in dental 
 surgery is, at present, and possibly for some time yet 
 may continue to be, a faint one. The enthusiasm of the 
 more ardent on this account may have to be held in 
 check. But when, by the diligent use of the means now 
 at their disposal, those who look for this further and 
 
DENTAL REFORM IN GREAT BRITAIN. 383 
 
 distinct mark of recognition and protection, have proved 
 themselves thoroughly worthy of it, it will, doubtless, be 
 accorded them. In the meantime let the young learn 
 with diligence and care, and the more matured and 
 experienced practise honourably what they know, and 
 the expectant watchers will not have to ascend the 
 mount of observation many times ere they perceive the 
 wished-for " little cloud, like a man's hand." 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 A.— AMENDED SUGGESTED RULES OF THE 
 PROPOSED DEXTAL SOCIETY. 
 
 1. This society shall be called " The Dental Society." 
 
 2. The object of this society shall be to consolidate 
 members of the dental profession into one body, -with the 
 view of promoting the advancement of dental science by 
 means of periodical meetings, correspondence, and other- 
 wise. 
 
 3. All dentists in actual practice shall — subject to Rule 5 
 — be eligible as members ; each member to pay a subscription 
 of ;^2, 2S. annually, or ^£,21 in one sum as a composition for 
 life. The assistants and pupils of practitioners may be ad- 
 mitted " associates " of the society upon the recommendation 
 referred to in Rule 5^ the annual subscription of each associate 
 to be ;^i, IS. 
 
 4. The council shall have power to confer the distinction of 
 honorary membership, 
 
 5. Every person desirous of being admitted a member or 
 associate must be proposed by two members of the society, 
 according to the form annexed to these rules, which form 
 is to be addressed to the council, with whom will rest 
 the admission or rejection of candidates, and in case of rejec- 
 tion the council are not bound to give any reason for such 
 decision. 
 
 6. The council shall have full power to eject any member 
 or associate who shall do any act or thing to the discredit of 
 the society, or annoyance of its members. 
 
 2 B 
 
386 APPENDIX. 
 
 7. All payments to be made to the treasurer of the society, 
 who shall make no disbursements without the authority of 
 the council. 
 
 8. The affairs of the society shall be conducted by a council 
 of management, to consist of a president, vice-presidents, a 
 treasurer, secretary, and twelve others, to be annually elected 
 by, and from among, the members of the society ; one-half of 
 which shall consist of members of the last year's council. 
 Five to form a quorum. 
 
 9. The right of voting by proxy to be extended to country 
 members, and at the election of council only. 
 
 10. Two members of the society shall annually be appointed 
 to audit the accounts, and to report thereon at the annual 
 general meeting. 
 
 11. An annual general meeting shall be held in January — ' 
 at such time and place as the council may appoint — to re- 
 ceive the report of the council, to elect officers for the ensuing 
 twelve months, and transact the general business of the 
 society. 
 
 12. At every meeting of the society, or of the council, the 
 resolutions of the majority shall be binding, though all persons 
 entitled to vote be not present ; and at such meetings the 
 chairman shall have a casting vote, independently of his vote 
 as a member of the society, or of the council, as the case 
 may be. 
 
 13. Upon receiving a requisition signed by, at least, 
 twenty-five members of the society, the council shall, within 
 twenty-one days, call a general meeting of the members, 
 giving a fortnight's notice, at least ; the requisition, as well 
 as the notice, to state in precise terms the object for which 
 such meeting is called, and no business other than that of 
 which notice is thus given shall be transacted at such 
 meeting. 
 
 14. All information received shall be entered in books 
 kept by the secretary for the purpose, which shall be open 
 for inspection of members of the society. 
 
 15. JSTo change shall be made in these rules, except at a 
 general meeting of the members of the society specially con- 
 vened for that purpose. 
 
APPENDIX. 387 
 
 Form alluded to in Fade 5. 
 
 We and being members of tlie 
 
 Dental Society, do hereby recommend as a 
 
 fit and proper person to be admitted a member of the 
 society. 
 
 Signed -j 
 
 Date, 18 
 
 To the Council of the Dented Society. 
 
?S<5 APPENDIX. 
 
 B.— COLLEGE OF DENTISTS OF ENGLAND— LAWS 
 AND CONSTITUTION. 
 
 T. The title of this association shall be the "College of 
 Dentists of England." 
 
 2. The objects for which the college is established are to 
 unite members of the dental profession into a recognised and 
 independent body, and to provide means of professional 
 education and examination. 
 
 3. The college shall consist of fellows, members, honorary 
 members, and associates — to be elected according to Rule 6. 
 
 4. The affairs of the college shall be conducted by a coun- 
 cil of management, to consist of a president, vice-presidents, 
 a treasurer, a secretary or secretaries, and a council of fifteen 
 f)thers — to be elected annually by, and from among, members 
 of the college : two-thirds of which shall consist of members 
 of the last year's council. Five members to form a quorum. 
 The mode of election shall be as follows : — The chairman and 
 two scrutineers having been appointed, the poll shall com- 
 mence by each member personally delivering his balloting- 
 paper to the chairman, who shall deposit the same in the 
 balloting glass. The poll to remain open from seven to nine 
 o'clock, when the chairman and scrutineers, attended by the 
 secretary, shall retire, cast the poll, and sign the return. In 
 the event of an equality of votes, the chairman shall have the 
 casting vote. 
 
 5. The subscriptions to the college shall be as follows : — 
 The payment of ^21, in one sum, to be considered as a com- 
 position for life for fellows or members ; otherwise, an annual 
 subscription of ^2, 2s. to be paid by each fellow and mem- 
 ber. The annual subscription of associates to be ;!^i, is. 
 Members shall pay a fee of ^i, is. on entering the coUege, 
 and associates a fee of los. 6d. 
 
 6. Every person desirous of being admitted a member or 
 an associate must be proposed by two members of the college, 
 and the candidate must be personally known to one of them. 
 His name shall then be placed upon the list of candidates for 
 
APPENDIX. 389 
 
 admission, and there remain for, at least, five weeks previous 
 to the evening on which the ballot takes place, which shall 
 only be when there are not fewer than twenty-five members 
 present ; and to secure election, two-thirds of the votes of the 
 members must be in his favour. Fellows and honorary mem- 
 bers shall be recommended only by the council. 
 
 7. The treasurer shall demand and receive for the use of 
 the college all monies due or payable to the college, and shall 
 keep full and particular accounts of all sums so received. An 
 account in the name of the college shall be opened, and all 
 monies deposited at a banker's to be appointed by the 
 council. 
 
 8. No person combining any kind of business with the 
 practice of the dental profession shall be a member of the 
 college. 
 
 9. The council shall have the power to remove from the 
 list of members and others those who may do anything to 
 the discredit of the college or the annoyance of its members ; 
 but such persons shall have the right of appeal at a general 
 meetincr. 
 
 10. No person allowing his name to be associated with 
 disreputable advertisements of any kind shall be a member 
 of this college. And any member making a public exhibition 
 of his diploma, or of any other document granted him by the 
 authority of this college, shall have his name removed from 
 the list of members. 
 
 11. The whole efi'ects and property of the college shall be 
 vested in the council of manasjement for the time beins;. 
 
 12. An annual general meeting shall be held in January 
 (at such time and as the council shall appoint), to receive the 
 report of the council, to elect officers for the ensuing twelve 
 months, and to transact the general business of the college. 
 
 13. At every meeting of the college or of the council, the 
 resolutions of the majority shall be binding, though all per- 
 sons entitled to vote be not present ; and at such meetings 
 the chairman shall have a casting vote, independently of his 
 vote as a member of the college or of the council, as the case 
 may be. 
 
 14. The council may at any time call a special general 
 meeting, and they shall at all times be bound to do so on the 
 written requisition of ten members, specifying the nature of 
 
390 APPENDIX. 
 
 the business to be transacted. Notice of the time and place 
 of such meeting shall be sent to the members, at least, four- 
 teen days previously, mentioning the subject to be brought 
 forward, and no other subject shall be discussed at such 
 meeting. 
 
 15. The ordinary meetings of the college shall be held on 
 the first Tuesday in each month, excepting the months of 
 July, August, and September. The conduct of these meetings 
 to be under the entire control of the council. 
 
 16. The council shall have the power to make bye-laws, 
 fill up vacancies in their number, and transact the general 
 business of the collesre. 
 
 17. No change shall be made in these rules, except at a 
 general meeting of the members of the college, specially con- 
 vened for that purpose. 
 
APPENDIX. 391 
 
 AMENDED LAWS AND CONSTITUTION OF THE 
 COLLEGE OF DENTISTS OF ENGLAND. 
 
 1. The title of this association shaU be the " College of 
 Dentists of England." 
 
 2. The objects for \Yhich the college is established are to 
 unite members of the dental profession into a recognised and 
 independent body, and to provide means of professional 
 examination. 
 
 3. The college shall consist of members and associates. 
 Honorary members may be elected in accordance with Laws 
 13 and 14. 
 
 4. The privileges of members shall consist in the right of 
 voting at all general meetings, of attending other meetings, 
 and all lectures and demonstrations which may take place at 
 the college. Each member, whose subscription is not in 
 arrear, shall also be entitled to a copy of the transactions of 
 the college. Honorary members and associates shall have all 
 the privileges of members, but shall have no share in the 
 direction of the affairs of the college. 
 
 5. The affairs of the college shall be conducted by a presi- 
 dent, vice-presidents, a treasurer, a secretary or secretaries, 
 and by a council of nine others,"^ to be elected annually by, 
 and from amongst, the members of the college. One-third of 
 such council shall retire at the end of the year, but shall be 
 eligible for re-election. The president, vice-presidents, and 
 secretary or secretaries shall be ex officio members of the coun- 
 cil. Any member of the college shall be eligible as a member 
 of the council, on being proposed by five other members ; such 
 proposition to be sent to the council one month previous to 
 the annual general meeting, and the names of such candidates 
 shall be printed with the house list. The mode of election 
 shall be as follows : — The chairman and two scrutineers hav- 
 ing been appointed, the poll shall commence by each member 
 present personally delivering his balloting-paper to the chair- 
 
 * This alteration not to come into operation until January 
 i860. 
 
392 APPENDIX, 
 
 man. Country members, wlio have tlie privilege of voting 
 by proxy, shall, if they exercise their privilege, send their 
 proxy-papers, under cover, addressed to the chairman of the 
 meeting. The chairman shall deposit all balloting-papers in 
 the balloting box. The poll to remain open from half-past 
 seven to nine o'clock in the evening, when the chairman 
 and scrutineers, attended by one of the secretaries, shall 
 retire, cast the poll, and sign the return. In the event 
 of an equality of votes, the chairman shall have the casting 
 vote. 
 
 6. The subscription to the college shall be as follows : — 
 The payment of ;^2i, in one sum, to be considered as a life 
 composition ; otherwise, an annual subscription of ^2^ 2s. 
 shall be paid by each member. The annual subscription of 
 associates shall be ;^i, is. Members shall pay a fee of ^1, 
 IS. on entering the college, and associates a fee of los. 6d. 
 All subscriptions shall be due on the first day of January in 
 each year, and shall be payable in advance. Members and 
 associates whose subscriptions are not paid within three 
 months of the date on which they are due, shall forfeit the 
 privilege of membership until the subscription be paid. If 
 not paid within sis months after it is due,|the membership 
 shall cease. The council shall, however, possess the power 
 to re-admit the defaulting member upon paying his arrears, if 
 they, in their discretion, think fit so to do, in which case the 
 entrance fee will not be required. 
 
 7. The treasurer shall demand and receive for the use of 
 the college all monies due or payable to the college, and shall 
 keep full and particular account of all sums received. An 
 account in the name of the college shall be opened, and all 
 monies deposited at a banker's to be appointed by the 
 council. 
 
 Laws 8 and 9 cancelled. 
 
 10. The names of new members shall be once advertised 
 in the '' Times" newspaper by the council at the expense of 
 the college, within fourteen days after their election. Such 
 new member shall also be permitted to advertise that they 
 have been elected members in the local newspapers of their 
 respective places of abode three times at their own expense. 
 The following; to be the form of advertisement : — 
 
APPENDIX, 393 
 
 College of Dentists of England. 
 
 Mr. of was duly elected a member 
 
 of the College of Dentists of England on the 
 
 Signed 
 
 Secretary or Secretaries. 
 Laws II and 12 cancelled. 
 
 13. Eetired members of the profession may be elected 
 honorary members of the college by the council. 
 
 14. Such members of the profession residing out of the 
 United Kingdom, as may be considered eligible by the council, 
 shall be nominated corresponding members of the college. 
 
 15. No person allowing his name to be associated with 
 disreputable advertisements of any kind, circulating hand- 
 bills, or exhibiting show-cases, boards, or placards, combining 
 any other business or calling with that of a dentist, or acting 
 for or assisting any person who combines any other business 
 with that of a dentist, shall be a member or an associate of the 
 college. And any member making a public exhibition of the 
 diploma, or of any other document granted him by the autho- 
 rity of this college, shall have his name removed from the list 
 of members. 
 
 16. The council shall have the power to remove from the 
 list of members and others those who, in their judgment, may 
 do anything to the discredit of the college, or the annoyance 
 of its members ; but members so removed shall have the right 
 of appeal at a general meeting — such appeal to be made 
 within one calendar month of the date of official notice to the 
 offending member, otherwise the right of appeal will be lost. 
 
 1 7. An annual general meeting shall be held in January 
 (at such time and place as the council shall appoint), to re- 
 ceive the report of the council, to elect officers for the ensuing 
 twelve months, and to transact the general business of the 
 college. Such annual meeting may be adjourned by resolu- 
 tion thereof from time to time, in case the business brought 
 forward should, from any cause, not be concluded. 
 
 18. The council may at any time call a special general 
 meeting, and they shall at all times be bound to do so on the 
 written requisition of ten members, specifying the nature of 
 the business to be transacted. Notice of the time and place 
 of such meetins: shall be sent to the members at least fourteen 
 
394 API-ENDIX. 
 
 days previously, mentioning the subject to be brouglit for\Yard, 
 and no other business shall be introduced at such meeting. 
 
 1 9. At every meeting of the college, or of the council, the 
 resolutions of the majority present shall be binding (except- 
 ing only in the case referred to in Law 23) ; and at such 
 meetings the chairman shall have a casting vote, indepen- 
 dently of his vote as a member of the college, or of the coun- 
 cil, as the case may be. Members of the college residing 
 beyond twenty miles of Charing Cross shall be entitled to vote 
 by proxy for the election of council and officers ; and upon 
 all questions at general and special general meetings upon a 
 poll being demanded in writing signed by five members. In 
 case of such poll being demanded, it shall be the duty of the 
 chairman to name a convenient day and hour on which the 
 poll shall be opened and closed. 
 
 Law 20 cancelled. 
 
 21. The council shall have the power to make bye-laws ; 
 but such bye-laws shall not contravene the spirit of the fun- 
 damental laws ; fill up vacancies in their own number, and in 
 any of the ofi&ces, and transact the general business of the 
 college. 
 
 22. Every person upon being admitted a member or an 
 associate of this college shall sign the following declaration : — 
 
 In consideration, of my being admitted a member or an 
 associate of the College of Dentists of England, I hereby 
 undertake to agree to, and abide by, the laws and the bye- 
 laws of the said college. 
 
 (Signed) 
 
 23. The college shall not be dissolved unless two-thirds of 
 the members shall vote for the dissolution. 
 
 24. No change shall be made in these laws except at a 
 general meeting of members of the college specially convened 
 for that purpose. 
 
 The following laws to become part and parcel of the con- 
 stitution of the college : — 
 
 Membership. — All dentists in actual legitimate practice on 
 the 20th day of April 1859, shall be entitled to become mem- 
 bers of this college without examination. The council to de- 
 termine all questions relating to legitimate qualification for 
 membership by such practitioners. 
 
APPENDIX. 395 
 
 Gentlemen who liave not commenced practice as dentists on 
 the 2oth day of April 1859 shall be required to undergo an 
 examination as to qualification to practise prior to being 
 admitted members of this college. 
 
 The resfulations for examination shall be under the entire 
 control of the council. 
 
 Associates. — The council shall have the power to admit as 
 associates of the college, without examination, assistants of 
 dentists, engaged as such, or qualified to be so engaged, on 
 the 20th day of April 1859. 
 
 After the 20th day of April 1859, no person except those 
 qualified as above, shall be admitted associates without passing 
 an examination on dental mechanics. The nature of the 
 examination to be determined by the council. 
 
 Associates of the college and assista7its of dentists shall be 
 eligible for membership upon passing the necessary exami- 
 nation. 
 
39^ APPENDIX. 
 
 CANDIDATES FOR THE LICENCE OF DENTAL 
 SURGERY. 
 
 {Tage 156.) 
 
 Candidates are required to produce the following certifi- 
 cates : — 
 
 1. Of being twenty-one years of age. 
 
 2. Of having been engaged during four years in the 
 acquirement of professional knowledge. 
 
 3. Of having attended, at a school or schools recognised by 
 this college, not less than one of each of the following courses 
 of lectures, delivered by lecturers recognised by this- college — 
 namely. Anatomy, Physiology, Surgery, Medicine, Chemistry, 
 and Materia Medica. 
 
 4. Of having attended a second winter course of lectures 
 on anatomy, or a course of not less than twenty lectures on 
 the anatomy of the head and neck, delivered by lecturers 
 recognised by this college. 
 
 5. Of having performed dissections at a recognised school, 
 during not less than nine months. 
 
 6. Of having completed a course of chemical manipulation, 
 under the superintendence of a teacher or lecturer recognised 
 by this college. 
 
 7. Of having attended, at a recognised hospital or hospitals 
 in the United Kingdom, the practice of surgery and clinical 
 lectures on surgery during two winter sessions. 
 
 8. Of having attended, at a recognised school, two courses 
 of lectures upon each of the following subjects — viz., Dental 
 Anatomy and Physiology (human and comparative). Dental 
 Surgery, Dental Mechanics, and one course of lectures on 
 Metallurgy, by lecturers recognised by this college. 
 
 9. Of having been engaged, during a period of not less 
 than three years, in acquiring a practical familiarity with the 
 details of mechanical dentistry, under the instruction of a 
 competent practitioner. 
 
APPENDIX. 397 
 
 10. Of having attended, at a recognised dental hospital, or 
 in the dental department of a recognised general hospital, the 
 practice of dental surgery during the period of two years. 
 
 N.B. — The students of the London schools are required to 
 register the above certificates at this college ; and special 
 returns will be required from the provincial schools. 
 
 COPY OF MEMOEIAL. 
 
 To the Queen! & Most Excellent Majesty in Council. 
 
 {Page 163.) 
 
 The humble petition of George Waite, of No. 2 Old Bur- 
 lington Street ; Peter Matthews, 1 7 Lower Berkeley Street, 
 Portman Square; James Merryweather, 57 Lower Brooke 
 Street, Grosvenor Square ; James Harley, 23 a Davies Street, 
 Berkeley Square; Somerset Tibbs, 58 Regent Street, Chel- 
 tenham ; Norman King, 7 Bedford Circus, Exeter ; and 
 others, practising members of the dental profession : 
 
 Showeth, — 
 
 That, owing to want of recognised qualification, the pro- 
 fession of dental surgery in England does not hold that 
 position which its growing importance demands. 
 
 That, owing to this want, students of dentistry often devote 
 much time to strictly medical attainments, for the purpose of 
 securing a medical degree, which time would have been far 
 more usefully and beneficially spent in acquiring a practical 
 knowledge of dental surgery ; the consequence being, that 
 when these students enter upon their professional career, they 
 have still to learn all those practical details so essential to 
 legitimate success. 
 
 That, certain members of the profession have long felt that 
 it has become imperatively necessary that some educational 
 course should be instituted ; and believing that not only a 
 general acquaintance with the princiJDles of surgery, anatomy, 
 and physiology, but also a special knowledge of such portions 
 of these subjects as have particular reference to the region of 
 the mouth, are absolutely essential to the duly-qualified prac- 
 
398 APPENDIX. 
 
 titioner, they have enrolled themselves as members of the 
 College of Dentists of England. 
 
 That the board of examiners of the college has been con- 
 stituted, a list of which is attached hereto. 
 
 That a Metropolitan School of Dental Science has also 
 been established in connection with the college, for the pur- 
 pose of affording systematised instruction in dental science, a 
 list of the faculty of which school, and of the fees and other 
 particulars thereof, is also attached hereto. 
 
 That the petitioners are desirous, on public grounds, and 
 for the reasons above set forth, to obtain a charter of incor- 
 poration for the College of Dentists, under the title of 
 '•' The Royal College of Dentists of England," such college 
 to have the right and power to grant diplomas of proficiency 
 to all candidates for membership. 
 
 And humbly praying that your Majesty will be pleased to 
 grant the said charter of incorporation, and as in duty bound 
 the petitioners will ever pray, &c., &c. 
 
 (Signed) 
 
 ABSTRACT OF ACT OF PARLIAMENT, Toucmis-a 
 the geantixg of power to the royal college of 
 Surgeons to examine Candidates for the Diploma 
 OF Licentiate in Dental Surgery and grant that 
 
 DEGREE, dated 23RD VICTORIA. 8tH SePT. 1 859. 
 
 And whereas by the Medical Act, made and passed in the 
 twenty-first and twenty-second years of our reign, it is 
 amongst other things enacted, " That it shall, notwithstanding 
 anything therein contained, be lawful for ourselves by char- 
 ter to grant to the Royal College of Surgeons of England 
 power to institute and hold examinations for the purpose of 
 testing the fitness of persons to practise as dentists who may 
 be desirous of being so examined, and to grant certificates of 
 such fitness." 
 
 And whereas, in order to provide for the due qualification 
 of persons practising as dentists, it appears to us expedient^that 
 the said Royal College of Surgeons of England should have 
 
APPENDIX. 399 
 
 power to institute and hold examinations for the purpose of 
 testing the fitness of such persons, subject to the regulations 
 and directions hereinafter mentioned. Xow, kxow ye, That 
 WE of our especial grace and mere motion, at the humble 
 petition of the said Eoyal College, have willed, ordained, 
 constituted, and declared and granted, and by these presents, 
 for us, our heirs and successors, do will, ordain, constitute 
 and declare, and unto the said Royal College of Surgeons of 
 England do grant in manner following, to wit, — 
 
 1. That it shall be lawful for the council of the said 
 college to appoint a board of examiners for the purpose of 
 testing the fitness of persons to practise as dentists who may 
 be desirous of being so examined, and to grant certificates 
 of such fitness. And it is our will and pleasure that such 
 board of examiners be called the Board of Examiners in 
 Dental Surgery, and consist of not less than six members, 
 to be appointed as hereinafter mentioned, three of whom 
 shall be members of the court of examiners for the time beinsr 
 of the said college, and the others of them shall be such 
 persons skilled in dental surgery as the council of the 
 said college shall from time to time think proper to 
 appoint. 
 
 2. And we do hereby authorise and require the council of 
 the said college within six calendar months from the date 
 of these our letters patent, to appoint three persons, being 
 members of the court of examiners of the said college, and 
 also three such other persons skilled in dental surgery as 
 they may think fit, to be such examiners in dental surgery, 
 who shall continue in ofiice for such period, and shall con- 
 duct the examinations in such manner, and shall grant 
 certificates in such form, as the council of the said college 
 shall determine, and from time to time direct. And it 
 shall be lawful for the said council of the said college 
 from time to time, as vacancies shall occur in such 
 last-mentioned board of examiners, to appoint any persons 
 to fill up the same, nevertheless, so that the said board 
 of examiners shall always be constituted as hereinbefore 
 directed. 
 
 3. And it is que fuether will and pleasuee, That the 
 said college do admit all persons who shall be desirous of 
 being examined as aforesaid, whether members of the said 
 
400 APPENDIX. 
 
 college or not members thereof, to examination by the 
 said board of examiners in dental surgery. Provided, 
 nevertheless, that such persons shall have attained the age 
 of twenty-one years, and shall also have complied with 
 such rules and regulations as to education as the council 
 of the said college shall from time"to time consider expedient. 
 
 4. That such reasonable fees shall be paid for the cer- 
 tificates of the said board of examiners in dental surgery 
 as the council of the said college shall from time to time 
 think fit, and by any bye-law or bye-laws direct. Pro- 
 vided ALWAYS, AND IT IS OUR FURTHER WILL AND PLEA- 
 SURE, That these presents shall not operate to create, or be 
 taken or deemed to confer upon any person who shall obtain 
 such certificate of fitness, as aforesaid, any right or title to 
 be registered under the said Medical Act in respect of such 
 certificate. In witness whereof, We have caused these 
 our letters to be made patent. 
 
 Witness ourselves at our palace at Westminster, this 
 eighth day of September in the twenty-third year of our 
 reign. 
 
 By Her Majesty's command, 
 
 EDMUNDS. 
 
 ERRATUM. 
 In title, page 341, /or Mr. J. Underwood, rmd Mr. T. Underwood. 
 
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