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

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THE MIRROR in the world was founded in 1839. Here the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery originated, and thus dentistry, after centuries of abuse and reproach, became recognized as a profession. Immediately after the granting of the charter, in February, 1840, a faculty meeting was held and Dr. Hay den was elected President and Dr. Harris, Dean. The professors of the different branches taught in the college as designated by the charter were : Horace H. Hayden, M.D., professor of dental pathology and physiology; Chapin A. Harris, M.D., professor of practical den- tistry; Thomas E. Bond, M.D., professor of special dental pathol- ogy and therapeutics, and H. Willis Baxly, professor of special dental anatomy and physiology. It is significant to note that there were only four chairs at this early career of the college. We learn from an Annual Announce- ment of the Board of Visitors that the charge for attending each professor for each session was $30 ; diploma fee, $30, and matric- ulation fee, $5. Also, that the candidates for graduation should have attended two full courses of lectures in this college, or one course in some medical college of good standing and one in this institution, and would be given a critical examination by the fac- ulty and were required to write a thesis on some subject pertain- ing to science; they were also required to present one or more specimens of mechanical skill, and likewise were expected to per- form certain dental operations in evidence of practical qualifica- tions ; and, on being found competent, they received the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. The efforts made to let the world know that a dental college had been established by placing notices in newspapers and medical journals resulted in the matriculation of five students for the first session, which began November 3, 1840. Lectures were delivered in a small room publicly situated, and at the close of the first scho- lastic year — the latter part of February, 1841 — there were two candidates for graduation, Robert Arthur and R. C. Mackall, both of Baltimore, after attending but one session. Having com- 27

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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

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THE MIRROR plied with the requirement, the degree of Doctor of Dental Sur- gery was conferred upon them by the President, Dr. Hayden. While from the beginning both theoretical and practical instruc- tion was given, the facilities for the latter were limited, which was due undoubtedly to insufficient means financially— a crisis which almost all infant corporations undergo until they have been firmly established or proved themselves worthy to become an im- portant factor in their line of advancement. It was not until 1846 that this support came, when a building on Lexington street near Calvert, devoted exclusively to college purposes, was entered. From this time on it appears the college took on new courage, en- ergy and life, and was on the high road to success which was destined for it. In this building the first dental infirmary was opened, consequently the students had better opportunities for ac- quiring a greater knowledge of operative dentistry. A demonstra- tor for this branch was added to the staff and three years pre- vious (1843) a demonstrator for mechanical work had been em- ployed. With the growth of the college, whose faculty was labor- ing faithfully for its best results, it was found necessary to divide the department of ' ' practical dentistry, which was formerly one branch, into mechanical and operative. That such efforts made by the faculty to improve and give a more complete and thorough course of instruction were not in vain, also that the college was re- ceiving greater public attention, is best evidenced by the increased number of students, there being 18 graduates in 185 1, while there were only two in 1841. Concerning the college. Dr. B. J. Cigrand said: Thus a sys- tem of education was initiated which immediately placed the prac- titioners of dentistry upon an equal footing with other liberal pro- fessions. All hail the banner of the old Baltimore College of Den- tal Surgery ! The progenitor of much good and the alma mater of alma maters, claiming among her collegiate alumni your own adopted mother. There were no important events connected with the college in the second decade of its existence, but at the beginning of the 28