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

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THE MIRROR What Dentists have Contributed to Other Professions From a Leciuke Delivered Before the Chicago Odontographic Society April, 1910, by Dr. Bernard J. Cigrand, Chic. G(j, Professor of Medical History, University of Illinois. THK theme upon which I will speak this evening may at first appear to be a rather peculiar one, but you will soon note that it is in harmony with the purpose of the Chicago Odontographic Society, which did me the honor to in ' itc me to deli -er this lecture. It is often remarked, even by our fellow-practitioners, that our profession is narrow and limited, but were they to realize how far advanced the modern dentist is o -er the dentist of earlier years their opinion would be different. First, permit me to direct your attention to a number of rare pictures which I have discovered in my historical researches, and which go to prove that the oft-quoted assertion that the dental profession has ne ' er attracted the artist to paint nor the sculptors to carve the emblems of our profession is an injustice to both artist and our profession. Follow me on an imaginary journey to Rome. Here we iind a picture of Apollonia, the goddess of dentistry. In her left hand she holds a palm, the symbol of peace or freedom from pain, while in the other is a pair of forceps in which is grasped a molar tooth. In the Dresden Art Gallery we see the painting entitled The Dentist, by the celebrated Dou. Here we also find the picture, The Tav- ern Clinic, painted by G. Houthorst, the fa -orite court artist of Charles I of England. In Munich we find Fhe Martyrdom of Apollonia, and another entitled the Court Dentist, also one entitled Ques- tionable Confidence. In the Berlin Art Gallery we have In the Dental Reception Room. Now, let us leave the art galleries of Germany and travel to France. In Paris begins the real mis- sion of our toLir, namcK ' , to show what dentists ha e done for other callings. iS

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catlonul requirements, larger and more scientific li-erature, dental libraries ui reference, and a general THE uplift in social and professional dignity. We will also see a more cordial co-operation and consultation .MIRROR between the medical and dental professions in their mutual ministrations for the relief of suffering humanity. ihe future will see a greater demand for the ser ices of the dentist than e er before. Ihe number of gradiiates from the dental colleges today is not equal to the demands of the people. Painless dentistry must come even as painless surger} ' came. The demand for anesthetics or obtunding agents in dentistry is far greater than that in the medical profession. The age oi prc -enti ' c tlentistry is upon us. Preventi -e treatment, both in mcilicine and dentistry, is sought on e -ery hand, and the dentist of the future will gi -e more attention to prophylaxis for the prevention of dental lesions instead of spending all of his time at repair and patch work. Practical immunity to dental caries, pyorrhea — aheolaris and other oral diseases is not a Utopian dream. The future development of dentistry will require a more minute knowledge, on the part of the dentist, of the human body and its workings in health and disease. The border line between dentistry and medicine, which was -ery broad not many years ago, is narrowing down to a line that will in the near future be practically eliminated. I ha ' c traced imperfectly the progress of dentistry through many ears of its de elopment and ha ' C also prophesietl as to its future. Poday we sec it in its high estate, the peer of any of the learned pro- fessions and pre-eminent in its tangible and definite benefactions to humanity. It has become a neces- sity, indisi)ensable. It contributes inestimably to the comfort, the health, the adornment and longe -ity of the race, and its opportunities for ser ice to humanity are unlimited. c v professions ramify to the extent of dentistry. 1 cw professions exact tribute of so many others. Few professions require for their excellent service men ol as aried accomplishments, general knowledge and ersatility. Pherc- loi-e, when we lca e our Alma Matci , with a firm rcsoKe to make the most ot our opportunities, and master our chosen prokssion, wc will then ha c laid the best anil most enduring ol all Inundations for progress. E. S. W. 17

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1 Ici-c ill the old College of St. Come we see both the old and the modern methods of surgical pro- THH cediire; the instruments which the famous dental surgeon, Ambroise Pan ' , invented and which are being MIRROR used in surgical operations and in tientistrv even at the present time. From Paris we journey to London, where, in the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons we see the famous collections of comparative anatom ' , donated by John Hunter, for which he spent more than . ' ! ' 36(),(Mj(j. Since the time of Aristotle there has ncer bee n a greater researcher in this fieki. He was the Surgeon-Cjeneral of the British forces in 1790, and his contributions to the healing arts place him amon.; the leading Juiglish scientists of his time. It affords me untold pleasure to think that it was a dental sur- geon who had contributed thus handsomely to the world ' s storehouse of knowledge. Time will not permit me to mention many other Englishmen who deser e such credit, but I cannot pass o -er Dr. J. Leon Williams. This brilliant dentist, who recently isited .America, has a well-known name in literature antl art. His work entitleii The Haunts and Home of Shakespeare is a classic of which more than 12,01)0 copies ha e been sold. He also took up photography with much success, and his works in this particular field can be seen in the art galleries of the world. His book, Sicily, Land of the Departed Ciods, which Is illustrated by himself, deals with yet unknown romances of this most beautilul island. On our phantom journey we are now landing in old Boston of i 770. 1 his is the time of the upris- ing of the colonies against Kngland. In the lirst conflict, which is known as the Boston massacre, we find among the fallen a dentist, Mr. Samuel Maverix. In 1775, the struggle being renewed, we find among the men who inspired their fellow-citizens to fight in the defense of their rights a strong, enthu- siastic man — Paul Re ere — who was a dentist. His hazardous midnight ride, by which he not only sa ' ed the pro isions and arms of the colonists, but made possible the safe escape of Hancock and Adams, two gentlemen who were the soul and spirit of the Kexolutioii, is historical. Re cre was not only a practicing dentist, but also a famous engra ' er and an expert at founding bells. Dr. . Cooley Keep, also a dentist of Boston, was known by the etficiency with which he admin- istered ether, and through him this anesthetic was first uscil in obstetrical cases, being administered to Mrs. Longfellow in- himself. His name is also connectetl with one of the most famous murder trials. 19