crown will not join, but there will be a line of demarkation, and you will have nothing but the pin to depend on; but if the amalgam is mixed soft, and carefully worked up in the canal, so that there is one solid mass of amalgam in the root and in the crown, you will have a firm piece of work, even if the pin does give out.

Dr. Kegister. I have had poor success in setting the Bonwill crowns. One great error in setting crowns is generally committed in the initiatory steps. As a rule the root is not properly dried. Probably only a small minority of operators use hot air to dry the cavity; a precaution which, in my opinion, would go far towards insuring success. If, because of failure to thoroughly dry the cavity, we have a space between the root and the material for setting the crown, decay will follow, when, if the moisture had been dried from the devitalized wall, a hermetical joint could have been made. In one of the most successful operations I have ever performed the crown was put on originally as a temporary expedient. It was done in a hurry, about twelve years ago, for a lady who was preparing to take a European trip. The tooth was a labial incisor, and a small one at that, which had been broken off by a fall from a carriage. I took out the pulp, selected a thin plate tooth of proper size and color, and a narrow piece of platinum, and riveted them together; and with a pair of pliers gave a twist to the backing; no solder was used. The root was dried out thoroughly with hot air7 and the crown set with oxychloride (there was no oxyphosphate in those days). The backing was then cut away on the palatal surface, and filled in with gutta-percha, and the patient dismissed. After her return, I tried on three different occasions, without success, to get the tooth out, in order to make a permanent operation. About two years ago I filled it permanently at the back with amalgam. The success of this operation has caused me to set several crowns in a similar manner. A better post is made by having threads cut in two directions, right and left, on the pin; it gives the appearance of many points on the surface. I use on the marginal surface, before setting the crown, gutta-percha collodion, flowing a thin film of the preparation over the walls. This I also use over sensitive dentine, for the purpose of insulating fillings of metal; a film of the gutta-percha collodion, flowed over the cavity, prevents all thermal irritation, and renders the after-service much more comfortable. The film formed by the use of the gutta-percha collodion is due to the evaporation of the chloroform contained in the preparation. You can apply cold air to sensitive dentine treated with this preparation without discomfort. Of course, to make a positive union, the dentine must be dry; this can be positively done in a devitalized tooth, while in the living dentine it should be brought as near to that point as possible, without risk of destroying the fibrillaa.

Dr. Wood. I found that most of my failures in setting crowns with gutta-percha resulted from the pin being too small in proportion to the canal. I now use as large a pin as will allow for the necessary amount of gutta-percha to hold it. Before taking the impression I fit a piece of the pivot-wood into the root, as a gauge, so that when the impression is removed the pivot comes away as part of it; and when the cast is made the pivot is withdrawn from the cast, giving the exact size and angle of the canal in the root. When practicable, I sometimes plug the apical foramen with pivot-wood; I take a stick of prepared wood and taper it so as to closely fit the extremity of the canal, leaving it free of the walls in the larger part of the canal, to facilitate its removal, should that be necessary. After dipping the point in creasote I force it to place—having previously cut it at the proper distance—and twist the butt end off, so as not to interfere with the metal pin of the crown.

Dr. Bssig. Fifteen years ago I used gutta-percha exclusively in setting pivot teeth, with good results as a rule, although occasional failure occurred, in consequence of the gutta-percha being overheated in setting the tooth. The variable quality of the guttapercha furnished by dealers will also prevent uniform results in its use. I have, therefore, long since abandoned it for oxyphosphate of zinc, which requires neither force nor heat in its application; and is, therefore, less likely to incite periostitis. It is inferior to guttapercha only in the difficulty of removing the pin, when the porcelain tooth is broken away, necessitating the use of a fine fissure-drill to cut away the cement from around the gold or platinum wire in order to obtain access to the canal.

Dr. Bon will. Dr. Leech formerly laid his failures to the crown; now he attributes them to the manner in which he placed them upon the root. I am satisfied that the principle of setting the allporcelain crown on the nut-and-bolt plan was perfectly correct; and that any one versed in mechanical principles would affirm its correctness. I have met men who had failed to get satisfactory results with these crowns, and on investigation found that they had not even read the directions, and had ignored the little details which go to make up success. I consider it foolish to attempt to adjust a crown with a pin fused in it. The method of mounting crowns described by Dr. Kegister is not new. Dr. How has done the same thing with his crown. I believe in amalgam, but I defy any man to pack it in the manner described by Dr. Eegister and Dr. How, so as to be cleanly. It will discolor. Not one dentist in five hundred can, with a tap, cut a perfect thread in wet dentine. In the matter of setting crowns you have got to come back to the principle which I have elaborated. They are the same that guide the engineer in his work. I have made crowns of amalgam in a few cases, where the teeth were quite short,—of course in the back part of the mouth,—and the amalgam has remained bright. Some failures have occurred in setting the all-porcelain crowns, because the crowns were not made by the manufacturers according to directions. With regard to the objection against amalgam urged by Dr. Darby, I would say that the pins were not "rotted" by the amalgam; I have tested that point thoroughly. It was foolish to put out three sizes of pins in the first place for setting the crowns; purchasers always got the smallest size, and of course they had failures.

Dr. Register. I think Dr. Bon will is not consistent with regard to amalgam. Why does he make crowns of it, if it discolors?

Dr. Bonwill. If it is put in contact with another metal, it will discolor. When it is used for crowns, no other metal should be in contact with it.

IOWA STATE DENTAL SOCIETY.

The twenty-third annual meeting of the Iowa State Dental Society was held in Des Moines, commencing Tuesday, May 5,1885, the sessions continuing four days. The attendance was the largest the society ever had. The papers, discussions, and clinics were very interesting and instructive. The membership was increased by twenty-seven. The officers elected are as follows: A. Morsman, president; E. L. Cochran, vice-president; J. B. Monfort, secretary; J. S. Kulp, treasurer.

The transactions of this meeting will be published in full in pamphlet form. The society adjourned to meet in Iowa City on the first Tuesday of May, 1886.

J. B. Monfort, Secretary', Fairfield, Iowa.

SOUTH 0AK0LINA STATE DENTAL ASSOCIATION.

The fifteenth annual meeting of the South Carolina State Dental Association was held in Columbia, S. C, June 2 to 4, 1885.

The following officers were elected to serve for the ensuing year: A. P. Johnstone, president; E. C. Young, first vice-president; J. M. Quattlebaum, second vice-president; Theo. Johnstone, corresponding secretary; E. Atmar Smith, recording secretary; L. S. Wolfe, treasurer. Dr. J. T. Calvert was elected to fill the vacancy in the board of examiners.

The next meeting will be held in Columbia, on the first Tuesday in June, 1886.

E. Atmar Smith, Bee. Sec. Charleston, S. C.

GEOKGIA STATE DENTAL SOCIETY. The seventeenth annual meeting of the Georgia State Dental Society was held in the city of Savannah, Ga., May 12 to 16, 1885. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: J. H. Coyle, president; J. P. Holmes, first vice-president; C. T. Osborn, second vice-president; L. D. Carpenter, corresponding secretary; W. L. Smith, recording secretary; H. A. Lowrance, treasurer. Executive Committee and Examining Board for two years: S. B. Barfield, chairman; L. D. Carpenter, secretary; B. B. Adair, G. W. H. Whitaker, and N. A. Williams.

The next meeting will be held at Macon, in May, 1886.

L. D. Carpenter, Corresponding Secretary*

Atlanta, Ga.

AMEEIOAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION.

The twenty-fifth annual meeting of the American Dental Association will be held at Minneapolis, Minn., commencing Tuesday, August 4, 1885.

The present prospects are that the meeting will be an unusually large one.

Bailroad fares have been secured at unprecedentedly low rates. Tickets for the round trip from New York to Minneapolis and return will be furnished for $24.00; round trip from New York to Chicago and return, $18.00; round trip from Chicago to Minneapolis and return, $6.00. At present it will be necessary for those wishing these tickets to secure them in Chicago. Later we may be able to make arrangements by which they can be obtained at different points east. By sending a check for tickets to the chairman of the Committee of Arrangements the tickets will be promptly forwarded. Negotiations are pending for rates from other points that the committee anticipate will accommodate all, and more definite information will be given in later journals and also in a circular sent to every member.

The hotel rates will be as follows: West Hotel, $4.00 per day; Nicollet House, $3.00 per day; National Hotel, $2.00 per day.

It is hoped that members having new facts or ideas in regard to theory or practice will come prepared to present them in connection with the section work. Any one having anything new in the way of appliances will be given an opportunity to demonstrate their use during the half day that will be devoted to clinics.

Attractions And Excursions. Come equipped with guns and fishing tackle. While the interest and benefit of the meetings, the attractions of the trip, and the beautiful city where we meet are too well known to need special mention, it may not occur to all that they will find themselves, in Minnesota, in one of the finest of hunting and fishing countries. Minnesota is especially famous for its prairie-chicken and grouse shooting, and its fine fishing grounds. It is estimated that there are not less than 10,000 lakes dotting the State. If one wishes a still greater variety of scenery, to see a new, wild and picturesque country, to draw out the big brook trout, the black bass, and the mighty muskallonge from the cold waters of the Lake Superior region,—in fact, to enjoy the finest fresh-water fishing in the world,—a round trip ticket from Chicago to Ashland and return will be furnished them for $10.00.

A still greater attraction (if one more were needed) is offered in the shape of a ten days' excursion to the far-famed "Yellowstone National Park," immediately upon the close of the Association meetings, provided a sufficient number send in their names to warrant the securing of special cars and special rates. The committee believe that, when so far on the way as Minneapolis, many will wish to avail themselves of this opportunity for seeing the grandest scenery in the world. The entire expense for the round trip from Minneapolis, including rail transportation, Pullman sleeping-car fares, meals on the Northern Pacific dining cars, hotel accommodations, five days in the Park, and stage transportation, will be $120.00*

A circular describing the magnificent scenery in full will be sent to every member of the American Dental Association at an early day. Others than members who may contemplate going will receive the same by making application for it. Come one, come all, and bring your wives along. It will be a trip that ladies will especially enjoy. Those wishing to go to Yellowstone Park will please send in their names at an early day, so that all arrangements may be speedily and satisfactorily completed. For further information, address

J. E". Crouse, Chairman Committee of Arrangements,

2101 Michigan avenue, Chicago.

NEW JEESEY STATE DENTAL SOCIETY.

The fifteenth annual meeting of the New Jersey State Dental Society will be held at the Coleman House, Asbury Park, commenc" ing Wednesday, July 15,1885, the sessions continuing for three days*

Every effort has been made to make this particular meeting more memorable and enjoyable than any heretofore held. Interesting papers have been promised from the most eminent in the profession? and the society membership have also contributed liberally. The