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Page 11 text:
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77ze Tooth, D rawer
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Page 10 text:
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cfDidtinauidneu Ljraduatel (This is the fourth in a series) ROBERT ARTHUR First Graduate of the B. C. D. S. As the first graduate of a dental college, Dr. Robert Arthur achieved a firm place in the history of dentistry. Dr. Arthur also made a prominent place for himself in the history of his profession by his later accomplishments in the fields of dental organization, dental education and dental literature. He contributed greatly to the progress of dentistry and deserves the wide recognition that has been given him as an outstanding figure in dentistry. Born in Calverton, near Baltimore, on July 22, 1819, Arthur received his early education at private schools in Baltimore. By diligent reading and studying he mastered many of the classics that were considered essential to an educated man at that time. At the age of fifteen years, he was thrown upon his own resources and became apprenticed to a printer. Through his brother, T. S. Arthur, Robert became acquainted with many literary and professional men in Baltimore, among whom was Dr. Chapin A. Harris, a founder of the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery. The meeting between these two men altered profoundly the life of Robert Arthur, for it was through the efforts of Dr. Harris that Arthur became interested in dentistry and was persuaded to make it his life ' s work. Arthur entered the first class of B.C.D.S. in the fall of 1840, and was graduated at its first commencement exercises, on March 9, 1841, along with R. Covington Mackall. Since Arthur ' s name received alphabetical preference, to him goes the distinction of being the first man to receive the degree, Doctor of Dental Surgery. The diplomas of both these men are now exhibited in the museum of the School. Following graduation, Dr. Arthur practiced in Baltimore for five years and then moved to Philadelphia. He became a member of the American Society of Dental Surgeons in 1841. Dr. Arthur helped organize the Pennsylvania Association of Dental Surgery in 1845, and served as its first corresponding secretary. The main purpose of the Association was to establish a dental school in Philadelphia as a counterpart of the B.C.D.S. Unfortunately, because of corruption in the state Legislature, the Association was unable to obtain a charter until 1852, at which time the Philadelphia College of Dental Surgery was founded. Dr. Arthur became chairman of the Department of Principles of Dental Surgery. Difficulty ensued, however, when the Corporators attempted to confer honorary degrees on men unworthy of them. The faculty succeeded in obtaining a new charter and at the end of the fourth session resigned in protest and founded the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery. Dr. Arthur served as dean during the final year of the old Philadelphia College, and for the first year of the new Pennsylvania College, after which he resigned and returned to Baltimore. Here he became engaged in organ- izing the Maryland Dental Association, and was elected its president in 1866. He was elected president of the Southern Dental Association in 1873. Dr. Robert Arthur died on June 22, 1880, in Baltimore. An important contribution of Dr. Arthur to d ental literature was a translation from the French of Blandin ' s Anatomy of the Dental System. It was published by the American Society of Dental Surgeons in 1845 as part of the American Library of Dental Science. His other writings included pioneer treatises on treatment of dental caries, dental pulp, profes- sional patents, and the use of gold foil. Dr. Arthur ' s greatest addition to scientific dentistry was his discovery of the welding properties of annealed gold foil and the subsequent development of a technique for using this material to restore teeth. The gold foil restoration to this day fulfills most ideally Black ' s primary requirements. Dr. Arthur made this historic discovery by accident. A book of foil he was using became hard and unmanageable due to repeated handling. On heating the gold to soften it he noticed, much to his amazement, that the pieces cohered. In recognition of his writings and other professional contributions, D r. Arthur was elected a corresponding member of the Odontological Society of Great Britain. The honorary degree of Doctor of Medicine was conferred on him by the Maryland College of Medicine, of Baltimore. Dr. Arthur initiated the proud tradition of the B.C.D.S. Succeeding generations have carried it high, and multiplied it, until today, when we enter the dental profession, each takes with him part of the spirit that was Robert Arthur. The searching mind, the skilled hand, and the will to help humanity: this is our heritage. •{6 1-
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