Northwestern University Dental School - Purple and Gold Yearbook (Evanston, IL)

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A BRIEF SKETCI-I PROF. G. V. BLACK, M. D., D. D. S., SC. D., LL. D. A ' By Trios. L. GILMICR, M. D., D. D. s. B' It has been my special privilege to have known the subject of thisimperfect sketch for thirty years. The relationship in all this time has been one of much pleasure and profit to me, indeed, the inspiration gained from the intercourse has been of the greatest pos- sible advantage. ' It may not be inappropriate to relate the experience of my first visit to Professor Black, early in 1871. I had just located in a small village near the home ofthe Doctor, who was at this time residing and practicing in jacksonville, Ill. jacksonville was known as the Athens of the NVest, as it probably contained at that time more men of letters and genius than almost any place of similar size in the United States, and Dr. Black was one of the giants of the city. Hav- ing heard so frequently of Dr. Black while in the Missouri Dental College in St. Louis, from Drs. Judd, Eames, Forbes, 'lVIcKellops, Chase, Spalding and others, it was but natural that I should desire to see this great man. At the first opportunity I went to Jackson- ville, only twenty miles distant, intending to call upon him. Being young and bashful, I feared to go into his presence. The picture of him in my mind was that of an austere scientist, one who could hardly be willing to spend even a moment of his valuable time with a novice, a mere youth, without learning, experience or reputation. I sought out his office, went to the, head of the stair which led- to his ro-oms. My heart failed, me, I turned back without ringing the bell, and gave up what seemed to me, at the time, a severe ordeal. I returned to my home with my ambition unsatisfied, but the desire to see him would not down,'and the next time I visited.-Iacksonville I renewed my effort, and was b-old enough to ring the bell, after which I could not honorably back out. , So, in great fear, I awaited the opening of the door. I was met by a young woman, to whom I gave my name and the suggestion that I did not wish to disturb the Doctor if he was engaged. She presently returned, and said: Dr, Black is en- gaged,'but will be able to see you shortly and asks that you remain. This encouraged meg still I full well knew that I should make a bad 29

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1 I wx I I In I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I GREENE VARDIMAN BLACK, M D., D.D.S., Sc.D., LL.D,, Dean, Professor of Operative Dentistry, Pathology and Bacteriology.

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impression, as my mind contained no thoughts to give expreSS1011 to, except to apologize for my presumption. Those .who know Pro- fessor Black can imagine my surprise when he ca.me in, being so absolutely different from my expectations. It is unnecessary to say that I was at once completely put at ease. Instead of overawing an-d repressing the best there was in me, he drew out the best by his cordial and unostentatious manner. At once he commenced to show me and talk to me of what he was doing, asking me what I thought of it. His experiments at that time, if I remember correctly, werevfor the purpose of determining the cause of erosion o-f-teeth, or, rather, he was endeavoring to produce erosion of teeth by artificial means. I-Ie was exposing parts of teeth to an acid fluid, which was caused to be constantly moved by clockwork. He did succeed in producing something closely resembling erosion, but co-mpletely de- molished the idea that it could be produced in the mouth in this way, excluding the possibilities of certain theories of that time. He then took me into an upper room over his office and exhibited to me many appliances and machines which he had made to be used in various investigations. This first call was lengthened into a visit, and when I had departed, after having been earnestly requested to come often, I said: 'fIVhat manner of man is this who will drop his daily labors to show a mere country boy all these things and talk to him as though he, t-oo, were a scientist? Much of the special knowledge that I possess, and this is equally true of many others, has been absorbed from Dr. Black. It seems incredible even to those who know Professor Black best that he has gained so much information and done so much origi- nal investigation as he has in these few years. Certainly no man in the profession has done a quarter as much. Hardly a book on den- tistry or a single number of any dental periodical but contains quo- tations from him, and if due credit were given him there would probably be many more. I think I know of alm-ost all the work he has done in these thirty years, and am therefore pretty well informed as to its volume as well as to its character. Many men set out with a theory which they have conceived, and all their investigations show umnistakable evidences of an effort on their part, not to get at the truth, but to prove their pet theory correct. Such work is not trulv scientific and can never give the living facts which should obtain from honest pursuit of knowledge. Dr. Black's work has alwavs been just the antithesis of this, he has so-ught for the truth, to the exclusion of all else. This accounts for the fiat which he OW subject when he has gone over it. Prof. G. V. Black is a native of Illinois. He was born and grew up among the fields and forests in the central western part of the gi Jes a 30