ON THE EEMOVAL OF THE FOUE PEE- 

 MANENT FIEST MOLAES, IN CEETAIN 

 CASES, AT AN EAELY PEEIOD OF 

 LIFE. 



Read February 2d>th, 1857. 



BY 



SAMUEL MACLEAN, F.RC.S.S., F.RM. & C.S.L., M.O.S. 



At the first meeting of the Odontological Society, 

 it gave me much pleasure to hear from Mr. Eogers 

 that it was his intention to bring forward a paper 

 on the subject of the removal of tlie four permanent 

 first molars, believing, as I do, that there is no 

 subject connected with dental surgery of more 

 practical importance, or deserving of more attention 

 and investigation, than the removal or non-removal 

 of these teeth when attacked with caries at an early 

 period of life. 



As the subject is one to which I have myself 

 paid considerable attention, and in reference to 

 which I have been assisted in forming my opinions 

 by the extensive experience and mature judgment 

 of my father, I trust I shall not be considered pre- 

 sumptuous in laying a statement of my views 

 regarding it before this Society. The practice which 

 I advocate, and which it is my purpose to support 



