USED IN DENTAL SURGERY. 121 



it out as a mere idea, which may or may not 

 possess any practical value. 



I have now passed in review most of the 

 caustics employed in our practice, — very hastily, 

 it is true, but not so much so, I hope, but that 

 discussion may be provoked. I must appeal to 

 the charity of my audience for the sketchy nature 

 of my communication ; but the expected paper for 

 this evening was not forthcoming, owing to cir- 

 cumstances over which the writer had no control, 

 and I have had only a few hours to draw up these 

 few remarks to place before the Society. 



The French have a proverb, " Who excuses, 

 accuses himself." By doing so, however, I hope 

 to disarm the criticism of my friends ; and I trust 

 they will be so kind as to keep up a good supply 

 of papers for our meetings, and so save themselves 

 any more inflictions of " papers on caustics." 



