Bibliographical.

A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON MECHANICAL DENTISTRY.By Joseph Richardson, M. D., D. D. S. Fourth edition, revised and enlarged. Publishers: P. Blakiston, Son & Co., Philadelphia, 1886. Price, cloth, $4.50; leather, $5.50.

The new edition of this well-known and highly prized work, contains 703 pages and 458 illustrations, some two hundred and sixty pages more than the third edition, and seventythree more illustrations. One hundred and ninety-three pages are devoted to artificial crowns on roots and bridge-work. Speaking of facial individuality the author remarks: "Each separate feature-as the eye, the nose, the mouth, the teeth, facial contour, complexion, temperament, etc., contribute to this individuality, and no one special feature more, perhaps, than the teeth. There are few more repulsive deformities than those inflicted by the loss of these organs, and none more fatal to the habitual and characteristic expression of the individual. It is the special mission, as it is the first and highest duty, of the dentist to preserve this individuality intact, and an equally imperative duty to restore it as perfectly as possible when impaired. To fulfil in the most perfect manner possible this most difficult of all the requirements of prosthetic practice implies an art culture that is competent to interpret the distinct play of the features associated with individual physiognomies, to differentiate individual temperaments and make available the sculptor's and painter's perceptions of the subtle harmonies of form and color. To the failure or inability to properly comprehend the practical import or significance of individual characteristics, so far as they find expression in the teeth, and the consequent failure to conform our methods of replacement to the imperative requirements of art, may be fairly ascribed the deserved reproach into which prosthetic practice has fallen, and not, as is generally charged, to the employment of any particular material or methods concerned in the mechanical

execution of the work." The work now before us is a credit to its author and must prove a valuable assistant to the student as also to the dental practitioner. The publishers should also be commended for the typography and preparation of this volume, which presents a very handsome appearance.

INDEX TO THE PERIODICAL LITERATURE OF DENTAL SCIENCE AND ART.-As presented in the English language. By J. Taft, M. D., D. D. S. Publishers: P. Blakiston, Son & Co., Philadelphia, 1886. Price, $2.00.

This valuable contribution to dental literature is in the form of an octavo of 212 pages, and a perusal of it shows that it embraces a useful index to the periodical literature of dentistry, dental periodicals and authors. To all in search of the valuable contributions to dental science and art that have appeared from time to time, and there are few progressive practitioners who do not have occasion for such research, this work will prove a valuable and time-saving aid. This work furnishes a list of all journals published since 1839, with the editor's names, etc., and an alphabetical list of the subjects of all dental articles with the names of the authors and journals in which such appeared. It also gives an index of authors contributing to dental literature, and cannot fail to prove greatly useful. Its subject matter is divided into: Index to the periodical literature of dentistry; Index to dental periodicals; Index to authors of dental literature.

Monthly Summary.

FOR CLEFT

IMPROVED METHOD OF OPERATING PALATE.-A correspondent writes to The Lancet, concerning what he considers a great improvement in the operation for cleft palate. Hitherto great difficulty and not a little danger have arisen from hemorrhage during the operation, necessit

ating frequent and very skillful assistance, periodical discontinuation of the anesthetic, and distinct intervals in the performance of the operation. In addition to these, other and minor troubles are experienced. All these difficulties may be avoided, and the operations rendered perfectly safe and easy, by the simple process of inversion as apply to the head only. This can easily be attained by bringing the patient's shoulders well up to the end of the operating-table, and allowing the head to hang over the edge in the fully extended position. In this position the roof of the mouth would be horizontal or slightly inclined downward towards the operator, who should stand at the head of his patient. The anaesthetic is given through the nose by a small tube, and is quite out of the way of the surgeon. Only one assistant is required, who should stand to the left of the operator. In paring the edges, no change of hands is required, but the corresponding hand should be used in elevating the tissues of the hard palate, and in passing the sutures. Under these circumstances no blood can enter the larynx or œsophagus, the palate remains unobscured by blood, and whatever hemorrhage occurs finds its way into the nasal cavities, and at the conclusion of the oper ation may be emptied by simply turning the patient's head to one side.

SWALLOWING A SET OF ARTIFICIAL TEETH.—A_remarkable surgical operation was performed at the Massachusetts General Hospital by Dr. Maurice H. Richardson, of Boston. About a year ago John McCarthy swallowed a set of artificial teeth. The passage of food to the stomach was almost wholly prevented, the patient grew emaciated and weak and it became evident that unless relief was had he must soon die. Dr. Richardson made a transverse cut in the left side of the abdomen, through which the man's stomach was drawn out and then cut open, when by the insertion of his arm to the elbow Dr. Richardson was able to reach and remove the teeth. The internal opening was then closed with fine silk and the stomach replaced, the external cut being closed with stitches. The whole operation was completed in forty-five minutes. The patient is doing well and his complete recovery is now considered little less than certain.

BY J. D. MOODY, D. D. S., MENDOTA, ILL.

"A college training is an excellent thing; but, after all, the better part of a man's education is that which he gives himself."

JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL.

I propose making this sentiment the key note of my paper. On two former occasions I have presented the subject of dental education, * and my intention is to take up at this time only one phase of this question, that of postgraduate study; to show its need, to outline a scheme of study, and to devise a plan for carrying it out. I believe that there is not a gentleman present who does not realize that some further elaboration of our educational scheme is, to say the least, desirable. Very many there are who think it imperative. To those who care nothing for a true scientific culture, and to whom the proper insertion of a beautiful filling or of an artistic denture is the ultima thule

* Ohio State Journal of Dental Science, July, 1893. President's Ad dress before the Central Illinois Dental Society, October, 1:85.

of dental ambition, this paper will have no interest. But to those who are longing for something better either in themselves or in the general profession, something which "will foster in us that spirit of broad and liberal thinking which is the essence of true scientific culture," to them I offer these suggestions as a partial solution of the question.

A physician is reported as having recently said that the practice of medicine in the near future is to be largely hygienic and sanitary, rather than one of drug prescribing. This may be rather a rosy view of the case, and yet it contains some truth; and while in all probability we will never get beyond the necessity of tooth filling, the time is surely coming when the dental surgeon will be assigned the lower seat and the dental doctor will be given the higher one. But before this time comes there must come a change in our educational methods. In a late number of the Medical Record there is an editorial on "Practicality in Medicine," in which the writer warns the profession against going to the extreme in making theory secondary to the practical, and uses the following language: "In our anxiety about the superstructure are we not getting careless about the foundations?" May not this apply as well to ourselves? Do we as dentists possess the foundation principles upon which to build a truly scientific superstructure? They are not to be found in the curriculum of any college. Even did they exist there, the usual two years course would be too short a time for their proper study. Three years would not give time enough. The mind of the average matriculate is not sufficiently matured to carry on such work. A young man destined for the ministry passes through the high school, then four years of college, and finally three years of seminary work. Can we be contented with anything less? As I shall show farther on, the list of subjects upon which every intelligent dentist should be fairly well informed, is far greater than any present college curriculum, and greater than under present circumstances it is possible to embrace in college