Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery - Dental Columbian Yearbook (New York, NY)

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Colored pencils and smudge sticks were the armamentarium of choice in pathology, where we once again glued reluctant eyeballs to microscopes and were rewarded with visions which defied description. Here we each collected a nice pile of mimeo- graph paper an d the knowledge that calcified psamomma bodies are common, and refreshed our abilities to take notes under blackout conditions. With laudable professional curiosity, a few hardy souls with a weak olfactory sense ventured into the green light suite. Our spacious equipment and clothing lockers were now lo- cated on the eighth floor but this was the only thing we had on the eight floor. We continued our major subject, Dental Ma- terials, now in its second installment. In Periodontology, we were told to put our minds at ease; the department was trying to obtain 400 additional hours for us. No one ventured to suggest that evenings and week ends be switched from prosthetics lab to perio. We finally came face to face with patients who, we discovered, were only slightly less terrified of us than we were of them. We began taking a his- tory. This was to take us now to and through Junior Year, but not before we discovered that the route to salvation is Endo- dontic and the miracle of the Fish. 70% of the class still could not tell Roger and Elliot apart and 20% could understand Silent Tom. Junior Year and Pharmacology at last. The initial shock, however, was not nearly as great as seeing Biostatistics listed on the schedule. This turned out to be a statistical error (in that we had a free period) but it was then rumored that there was to be a refresher course in Dental Materials instead. Orthodontia, wire bending in theory and practice, was to prove traumatic to many of the boys except those who were going to specialize. We singed our fingers but were relieved when at last our Haw- leys went to pot. What was left of the colored pencils and smudge sticks was used up in Oral Pathology and several antique microscopes could finally return to their museum shelves for a well deserved rest. Thermionic emission, and the uses of the dark room and the

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Still waiting for Embryology to begin, we launched into Genetics and related topics. Histology came to an end and the boys bade sad farewell to their favorite histology instructor . Oral Histology was soon to take her place (sigh) but this turned out to be a labelling contest, the prize going to the one having labelled the most mitochondria and Golgi apparatus. However, it was here that we first learned of the pernicious and deleter- ious effects of schmutz . A word must (?) be said about Neuroanatomy. At alternate lectures we were amused by impersonations of afflicted subway riders and dazzled by that complex system which was rapidly being explained to us. How could we possibly assimilate, be held responsible for, or reproduce this information on demand? We couldn ' t, but we were, so we did. Our Biochemistry course was made pleasant as well as en- lightening by the efforts of Dr. Karshan and staff. We felt proud and fortunate to have received our instruction from that dis- tinguished teacher. That first year we began an activity that would be with us the rest of our lives — Operative Dentistry. As the first year drew to a close, about 10% could understand Silent Tom and 80% could not tell Roger and Elliot apart. Sophomore Year was to have two main highlights: Microbi- ology and Periodontology, the latter with our first live patients. We were to wait one more year for Pharmo, when we would have more time and would be under less pressure they told us. So the party began with Harry and Bert serving cream puffs decorated with Shigella, Salmonella, and flagella. We became unwilling foster parents to recalcitrant rabbits and an untold number of equally unwilling rats and mice. Those who broke culture tubes were subject to penalty, imprisonment, or both. To keep our zoological interests alive we played with cats, dogs, and turtles in physiology. A failing blood pressure due to a leaking femoral artery catheter was often maintained by a fast I. V. drip. We were told that when spun to the right, one staggers to the left, looks to the right, and vomits to both sides. In Psychiatry, we discovered that many dentists see psychia- trists, that thumbsucking is good, and found out what an anal character is and how to spot one. We also learned of an oc- cupational hazard — the D-Day Syndrome.

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dental assistant were discussed in the first of the Diagnosis series by Captain Jack. Operative, Prosthetics, and Crown and Bridge clinics had finally arrived and as the boys poured up their first models another motto was to be heard ' round the clinic floor, Does anyone have any Duco? It was to be repeated many, many times. Working on our first patients made us realize how diffi- cult working on a typodont really had been. Life was made more interesting when the 6 o ' clock curfew went into effect and many a wax-up was to distort due to discrepancies between subway and clinic temperatures. A few members of the class saw a sunrise for the first time in their lives as the bimonthly CPC (CSC) was held at the break of dawn heralded by the crowing of a rooster. Hormonal gingivitis and pemphigus seemed to comprise the catchall in diagnoses, just as Kenalog or Orabase in therapeutics. We learned later that idiopathic was also an intelligent tentative as well as conclusive diagnosis. Conversion Hysteria could also be used. Emergency Medicine or Creative Dentistry in Civil and Mili- tary Disaster for Fun and Profit in Your Spare Time was to take the place of Dental Materials as our major subject during the remaining two years. Non-emergency Medicine provided a refresher course in hyperparathyroidism (Primary and Second- ary) and electrolyte balance. Functional Anatomy explained why the olfactory organ is located at the oral rather than caudal end of the digestive tube. Pharmacology got off to a slow start — just one lecture a week, giving the boys time to brush up on their shorthand and foreign languages. The autonomic nervous system (entirely be- yond voluntary control — Oh, how true) was divided into sym- pathetic, unsympathetic, and downright nasty. G G, NND, and LAB (bloods on my hands) were driving us to the D. T. ' s P.D.Q. We learned to speed read our notes which were speed written at speed lectures and applauded the one lecturer who admitted he needed a microphone. Dental students don ' t try to understand — they just memorize was the analysis of all our difficulties. But Junior year was far from over. Toward the end of the year, the boys discovered they had founded and become mem- bers of a new organization, known by many names including Junior ADA . To remain a member in good standing, one had to present a table clinic as well as attend a dinner and lecture. Robin Hood, leader of the green-robed men of Surgwood For- est had started it all, but it was OUR organization and we could like it (the Jr. ADA) or leave it (dental school). The din- ner was delicious. About this time we also heard a series of lectures on Applied Occlusal Dynamics given by God ' s answer to dentistry. Some- what more helpful (?) were the Huntsman ' s lecture series on Dental Lore . Then the news broke — were were to be blessed with a vol- untary summer clinic. Back into the arena had become a prophesy. We were to learn how to conduct a successful dental practice in the tropics, air-conditioners courtesy of the Low- Speed Fan Co. But the boys were not too shaken. Most of them had completed their perio history and were ready to begin scaling. Also 50% could now tell Roger and Elliot apart and 50% could understand Silent Tom.