ducing a compound cavity that deceives both patient and operator, and becomes the natural nursery for the promotion and growth of bacteria. Amalgam cannot be drawn over towards the borders. of the cavity; and the moment crystallization begins, that moment the borders become a refuge and home for the bacteria.

There is a something beyond microscopic examinations or chemical experimentations: as much beyond as being is beyond existence, or spirit beyond matter.

I think the experience of the profession will bear testimony to the excellent qualities of tin as a filling; but the labor required to insert fillings of tin in many places brings into use amalgams, guttapercha, and oxyphosphates, and thus, subsequently, the loss of many valuable teeth occurs.

Tin has less elasticity than any other of the metals; when bent, the crystals break or separate, and produce what is called the "cry of tin;" but, combined with platinum and gold, the compound is more ductile than pure tin, and harder when burnished or malleted, being capable of resisting attrition, even when attenuated near the borders of the cavity.

After three years' experience with such materials, I do not know of a single failure or leakage in a filling in my own practice, and I deny the necessity of extracting any tooth, that (as Dr. Morrison, of St. Louis, says) cannot be taken out with the fingers.

The bane of all the professions is the love of ease and the unwillingness to work. Show me a single person who has made large attainments without labor, and-in our own profession-hard labor, both mental and physical. Point to a single artist of eminence who has not toiled early and late, or to a scientist, a physician, or a surgeon, for they are substantially the same, when devoted to their calling.

The true artist is so filled with the love of his calling that he has no time to be selfish and to think of things as belonging to himself; but in serving his calling he loses himself in his profession, and his ledger accounts are neglected; and that is the reason why so many of our best operators and thinkers are so poor.

Now, it must be apparent to every one that there are a great number of persons at this time who have the sign "Dentist" over their door who are totally unfit to practice our profession, and the "examining boards," established by law that has kept pace with our civilization, are the only power that can winnow these out and decide who are dentists. In this strife of the survival of the fit

test the hottest battle must be waged. It is so in all nature: those who are best adapted will be preserved, and the others must perish. This law runs through the lower forms of animal life, and is true of ideas and character. It will require the soundest wisdom, coupled with justice, to discriminate, classify, and decide who are valuable and who are worthless. We must expose all shams, with a heart full of love and human sympathy for the good and a hatred for all that is bad. Those who prune with care strengthen the parent stock. It is a law older than man that has decreed that the best must live, and also that when the whole carcass is rotten it must be destroyed. I am aware of the difficulty, and that we shall often be misjudged and blamed; but he who pulls the weeds strengthens the corn, and does it because he loves the corn the best. So we must discuss the merits of men as we would a problem in geometry. If we are wise we shall all put ourselves in training for the work that is before us.

In closing, let me say to those who occupy high positions in the profession, let us hold out the hand of brotherhood to all meritorious operators, whether educated in or out of the schools-if they are educated until we are a united whole, never to be broken, whose light shall illumine the world.

SECTION I I.

DENTAL EDUCATION.

REPORT BY C. N. PEIRCE, CHAIRMAN.

THO

HOUGH the annual reports of Section II. are not to be received as exact chronicles of the actual progress attained in the educational field, they may be accepted as fairly reflecting the general tendency of thought among the friends of higher education. That the actual progress made falls below the ideal advancement is to be expected. It is rare that the practical application of a theory is contemporaneous with its promulgation. But that there have been real, solid advances in the methods of imparting knowledge and in the standard of qualifications is not to be doubted.

The exhaustive discussions which have been had upon this subject, stimulated by previous reports from this Section, show the importance of the position which the educational problem occupies in the minds of the members of the profession. The fear so often expressed lest the seeming apathy and failure to appreciate the responsibility of their position evinced by some teachers should issue in disaster, testifies to the general anxiety that no backward steps be taken. This anxiety, which has been intensified by the immature standard of graduation revealed in the annual announcements of some of the schools, has seemed to warrant the disappointment and discouragement felt and expressed by many sincere members of this Association. But, notwithstanding these untoward indications, the cause of dental education has progressed. At no previous time were the opportunities afforded to students for the acquirement, before graduation, of proper qualifications for practice equal to the present. Never before was there so general a desire among the schools that their curriculum and standard of graduation should represent the highest degree attainable; never before was there a time when the representatives from the schools could have formed an associa

tion and adopted resolutions with almost perfect unanimity, abrogating customs which have been in vogue for over thirty years.

Thirty years ago the regular sessions of the best schools comprised at most only four months' instruction, and, by allowing one month's grace, this was frequently shortened to three months; and even with this limited time, two fundamental branches, anatomy and physiology, were embraced in one chair. The regular course of lectures in the same schools now extends over five months, and opportunity is afforded to the student, by means of auxiliary spring and fall courses, for five months' additional instruction in the year. The chairs of anatomy and physiology are occupied by different professors, each giving a full illustrated course on the subject under his care.

There have also been equally marked advances in the standard of requirements for graduation. To compare the acquirements and qualifications of the average graduate of to-day with those of the men who received their degree of D.D.S. from the same schools twenty years ago, would certainly be a source of encouragement to those who have so long labored for the enhancement of educational opportunities.

The Section also notes, as an evidence of interest and progress in dental education, the increased efforts which are being made in the several States to procure legislation for the regulation of dentistry. These efforts have resulted, so far, in the enactment of laws in many States for the protection of the citizens against charlatanism. For the better enforcement of these laws, examining boards have been established, which, for the purpose of increasing their efficiency, have in turn organized a National Board of Examiners. The proceedings of this body, which were epitomized in the last annual report of this Section, are an earnest of its labors.

As a further evidence of the interest felt in education may be mentioned the late meeting of the faculties of the several schools, called for the purpose of establishing, if possible, an advanced curriculum and a uniform standard of graduation, and of effecting the organization of an association of the colleges. The result of the labors of this organization, which has just held several sessions, are epitomized in the resolutions adopted, as follows:

Resolved, That after the session of 1884-5, the colleges belonging to this association shall require attendance upon two full courses of lectures previous to the student's coming forward for graduation; provided, that these two courses shall have been attended in separate years.

Resolved, That after the session of 1884-5, the possession of a medical diploma from a reputable medical school be accepted as equivalent to one course in dentistry, the holder being required to pass one year in a dental infirmary, the year's study to include a course of lectures in a dental college, before coming up for graduation.

Resolved, That one course in a medical college be accepted as equivalent to one year's pupilage in a dental office, but one-year medical students shall be required to attend two regular courses of lectures in a dental school.

Resolved, That we recommend that a preliminary examination be required for entrance to our dental colleges. Such requirements shall include a good English education. Candidates holding the diploma of a recognized college, academy, normal or high school, or other evidence of literary qualification, may be received without examination. In case of any student's failing to pass a satisfactory preliminary examination, the other colleges of this association may be informed of the fact.

Resolved, That we agree to adopt a graded course of instruction and an intermediate examination, which course of instruction and examination shall be conconducted as the faculties of the different colleges in this associatiou may deem proper.

We recommend that the following subjects and arrangement be adopted by the colleges of this association, viz.:

First Year.-Anatomy, with dissections; Physiology, Histology, Chemistry, -didactical and practical; Mechanical Dentistry.

Second Year.-Review of junior year studies, Pathology, Surgery, Materia Medica, Therapeutics, and Operative Dentistry.

Although the facts we have mentioned indicate the progress that has been made, we are not to cease from our efforts to achieve still further advances. What has been done but widens our field and increases our responsibilities, and step by step with the improvements in the opportunities for acquiring an education comes, with even longer strides, the evolution of the profession as a whole and of the needs of its clientage. This day is demanding from those entering upon the study of dentistry a broader intellectual development; a sounder, more substantial knowledge; a keener, more critical judgment for the study of cause and effect as revealed in the histology, physiology, and pathology of our specialty; a more conscientious personal responsibility; a more wholesome moral standard; and last, but not least, a clearer appreciation of the worth and wealth of our calling. The means by which these qualities may be made to enrich the future of dentistry and maintain its continued growth in dignity and worth, is an interesting and important question, not alone for the consideration of the college faculties, but worthy of the careful thought of this Association.