University of Maryland Baltimore Dental School - Mirror Yearbook (Baltimore, MD)

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The First Diploma I JlllllllOIU ' llSIS YrOMNiBis, ' TiD ' ,Qiros(ittk jUTEKajijPiBTiireHinr i%hM ■ (k . l crf , n,-4r t, ' r f ' ij- ' ' ' ■- Kitr f ,.irj f j t i ff An ' i ' ryM ym iChiruTqia J ' cultnni nahim lUttcftiiillimnrifnin . ' 14 . kiir i. ' A tij vu A.m ' O T ' niuin v,C - -£ ' ' . .1, . Al r ' r ' ' l. - t- Granted to Robert Arthur at the First Commencement of the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery on March 9, 1841. THE FIRST GRADUATES ( yr . . ujt . ' ., ZZOi. ' - i: ' - Robert Arthur R. COVIXGTOX Mackal l fagc Fifteen

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Baltimore College OF Dental Surgery, Denial School, University oi Maryland Main Building New Wing Vage Fourteen

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INFORMATION CONCERNING THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF DENTAL SURGEONS By Solyman Brown, M.D., Sccrctaiy (AmcricMn Jouin.il of Dental Science, Vol. I) Among the primary objects kept steadil)- in view by the projector of this society and his professional coad- jutors, may be alleged — first: The Public Good, result- ing from the united efforts of the most distinguished and entcrprizing practitioners in the United States, aided by those of other countries, in settling the best methods of practice in all forms of dental disease. How much soever may be done by isolated individual effort to acquire personal distinction and emolument, benefitting a narrow circle of patients, the true philo- sopher and genuine philanthropist embraces within the scope of his vision a wider horizon. Leaping with be- nevolent dexterity from the circle of selfishness, he stands erect in the unlimited dominions of Truth and Charity, performing the appointed duties of his sub- lunary existence for the benefit of mankind. Not so with those who contract themselves like the tortoise within their own shells, and make no excursions except for booty. A second object of the projectors of this society, is to embody all regular and worthy dental practitioners throughout the United States, in a properly organized fraternal association for the suppression of quackery and imposture. To this end it will be the constant effort of the mem- bers of the American Society of Dental Surgeons to bring within their fraternity, all those deserving indi- viduals in every section of the country, who are desirous of introducing true theory and honourable practice into the profession. In the second place: The encouragement of genuine merit and well intended effort in the cause of humanity, will have the effect of sustaining a respectable class of dental practitione rs, to whom alone the public will, in time, learn to lock for relief in dental diseases. Hither- to, the community has been almost wholly uninformed as to the comparative competency of the several classes of professed surgeon dentists. This society will have Seal OF THE First Dental Society power to establish lines of demarkati- n between the truly competent and the mere pretenders to dental knowledge. Such as deserve the support will be sus- tained and encouraged by the combined influence of the entire dental association in the United States, insomuch that the simple fact of membership will constitute a passport to public favour. In the third place: The elevation of the profession from the condition of scattered individuals to the rank of an organized association, recognized by the laws of the land, and acknowledged by similar bodies among the other professions, will be one of the earliest effects of the formation of the American Society of Dental Surgeons. The subject of conferring the degree of dental sur- gery, has engaged the early attention of the society, and the committee appointed to prepare the Diploma, and its appropriate seal, has already nearly completed its task. Every member of the society, honorary as well as active, will be entitled to a Diploma by paying into the treasury a stipulated sum, to be used for the benefit of the so- ciety. Although the simple act of conferring a scientific degree, does not of itself impart any additional knowl- edge, it may be made, at least an evidence of knowledge already acquired by theory and confirmed practice. The encouragement of Dental Colleges like that in successful operation at Baltimore, is a favorite object of this society, considered as one of the means of accom- plishing the great objects of the association. Whether the society will organize a college of its own, or merely encourage the formation of several in various sections of the union, remains yet to be determined. The dental magazine already established, being the first publication of the kind in any age or country, so far as history informs us, has received the decided appro- bation of the Society, with the assurance of its constant support. Although the conductors and original projec- tors of the American Journal of Dental Science, were quite willing to resign the publication into the hands of the society, that body was disposed to decline the trans- fer, believing that the periodical would be best con- ducted on its present plan, modified perhaps, on the appearance of the second volume, so as to assume the form of a quarterly, instead of a monthly publication. But thus far I have spoken only of disqualifications, which has prepared the way for answering directly the question before us — What are the essential qualifica- tions for membership in the American Society of Dental Surgeons? Respectable talents; creditable acquirements; profes- sional integrity; and a good moral character. These four requisites are esteemed indispensable to a useful perform- ance of the difficult and delicate duties of the dental surgeon; and all these, therefore, will be deemed essen- tial to a fellowship in this association. PuS c Six ecu