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

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THE MIRROR lege famous. When we entered this college we knew little or nothing of the dental art and science, and leaving we can only take with us such knowledge as is imparted to us by our professors. The time is passed w hen illustrious human beings were elevated to deity, but we cannot thank and honor our teachers better than promise that we will from now on earnestly and persistently labor to establish our chosen profession a landmark among all sci- ences and vocations that future generations, instead of yielding but reluctant confidence, will then pour forth a full measure of respect and devotion. A. C. THE PSALMIST TO THE NEIGHBOR 1. My neighbor is my helper; I shall not flunk. 2. He raiseth my standing; he leadeth me in the paths of knowledge for credit ' s sake. 3. Yea, though I plod through the quizzes and exams of pro- fessors, I shall fear no evil, for thou art with me, and thy whispers they comfort me. 4. Thou preparest my subjects for me, in spite of my teachers ; thou crownest my head with fame, my standing runneth high. 5. Surely applause and recognition shall follow me all the days of my life and my neighbor shall dwell in my thoughts for- ever. G. W. M. 25

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THE MIRROR menced his medical studies early in life and began to practice in Ohio. His attention was called to dentistry by his brother, John Harris. Until after 1827, however, he gave but little attention to dental practice, except to extract and clean teeth and insert a few fillings, when, after studying Hunter, Fox and Delabarre, he en- tered upon the exclusive practice of dental surgery. From 1827 to 1833 he traveled South and West, elevating the profession of dentistry and establishing his reputation. In 1833 he opened an office in Baltimore and wrote largely on dental subjects. It was not until 1839 that any movement in the way of organization was made on the part of American dentists to elevate their profession to a strictly educational basis. In view of uniting the widely-sep- arated members of the profession, a medium was established in the form of the American Journal and Library of Dental Science. The journal was published in Baltimore and ably edited by Chapin A. Harris and Eleazer Parmly. In connection with this movement, it was the ambition of Dr. Harris to organize a dental school as an adjunct to the medical department of the University of Maryland. The practice of den- tistry at this time, however, being with few exceptions at a very low ebb, the faculty of the university rejected the proposition of Dr. Harris, they giving as an excuse, that the subject of dentistry was of little consequence, and thus justified their unfavorable ac- tion. The rejection seemed to give Dr. Harris new energy and stimulated in him a new desire, and as a result the Baltimore Col- lege of Dental Surgery was established. The subject has been, from the first word to the last, one of abounding interest to me, and I confidently hope that those who have earnestly read these lines on the evolution of dental science will have enjoyed it, and I trust that it shall have awakened in us the latent admiration for the profession and its masters. I have special reference to our own faculty, composed of men not only esteemed and honored by the dental profession of this country, but who are known the world over. A school cannot be better than its teachers and it was the faculty who made our col- 24

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THE MIRROR Our College WHEN a young man has made up his mind to enter upon a professional career then he has taken the first step, solved one of the problems of life, and has laid the foun- dation for future success and happiness. His entrance in college is therefore a very important moment, but when he passed its threshold and is received as a student he must study and work faithfully to obtain the knowledge necessary to enable him to be- come fitted to practice his chosen profession. Kind advice can be found in Dr. John S. Marchall ' s address before a class of dental students. He said : Knowledge proved and classified becomes science. The sci- ences underlie the intelligent practice of all the professions; con- sequently, to be educated for a profession means that you shall have knowledge of those sciences upon which it is based and upon which it must depend for its intelligent practice. The dental stu- dent who commences his practice with the idea of obtaining his degree with just as little expenditure of time and energy as is possible under the rules of the institution with which he is con- nected will make a dismal failure of both student and professional life. Justice will repay him in the same coin, to the very last deci- mal, and in the same spirit with which they were meted out by him during his student days. Thus, cherishing these well-worded sentiments and knowing well that you, too, agree with these worthy remarks, I begin the history of the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, hoping that it may add to make your stay in college more agreeable and more profitable to yourself and your fellow-students, and, when leav- ing, carry with you the sweet remembrance of the dear old Balti- more College of Dental Surgery. It was through the efiforts of Horace H. Hayden and Chapin A. Harris that the first and for many years the only dental college 26