444 TRUMAN W. BROPHY 



of the strongest influences are being used for the betterment of 

 the profession. 



In dental materia medica and therapeutics the progress 

 has been most marked. During the earher years in the history 

 of dentistry the idea of heahng and correcting received very 

 httle consideration. The surgical part of the profession was 

 the most important, and the thought of the dentist was to 

 remove the diseased tooth or tissue ; that of the modern dentist ^ 

 is to heal; and the course of instruction in our modern dentaly 

 colleges is so very complete in dental medicine and therapeu- 

 tics, and the remedies so numerous and efficient, that by far 

 the major portion of the modern practitioner's time is taken up 

 by the work of healing and preserving rather than in surgical 

 methods. 



The public has recognized this great advancement and has 

 given to the modern dentist the position and credit to which 

 he is justly entitled, while the earlier dentist was classed with 

 the barber or even as a traveling tinker. The graduate dentist 

 of to-day is recognized as a member of a noble profession, and 

 one to whom is given the privilege of relieving pain and bring- 

 ing comfort, making possible greater happiness, longer life and 

 added health to men. WTiere for many years the members 

 of the medical profession looked down upon dentistry as a 

 purely mechanical calling, they recognize in the dentist of 

 to-day a fellow worker in the great cause of health, and the 

 service and advice of the dentist are often called upon by the 

 medical practitioner. 



It Avould be impossible to name the men who have given 

 the best years of their lives and their best energies to the devel- ^ 

 opment of college, association, or legislation. The faculties 

 of the earlier dental colleges could almost be taken as a roll 

 of honor. Looking at dentistry from our own view point, we 

 can readily see that these pioneers planted better than they 

 knew, and that the great profession of to-day is the outgrowth 

 of the seeds of instruction so carefully planted, and the shoot 

 from which was so earnestly nurtured. The standing of the 

 American dentist, and the value of the American diploma can 

 have no better testimonial than the fact that the dentists of 

 foreign countries are so anxious to be known as American 



