246 Proceedings of the Royal Society 
Surgeons — Syme also being elected about the same time. He 
was intimate with Syme, Liston, Fergusson, and Wardrop, and 
often assisted these eminent surgeons when they operated. He 
afterwards went to London, and there was led to study den- 
tistry. He probably foresaw, that there would be a favourable 
opening in Edinburgh, when Dr Law, who had a large practice 
as a dentist, died or retired. 
Mr Nasmyth, when he began practice in Edinburgh, was the 
first who united the profession of a dentist, with the education and 
qualifications of a surgeon. He soon succeeded in obtaining public 
confidence. 
He wrote very few scientific papers. The subject of his in- 
augural thesis had been “Tie Douleureux ; ” and, in the year 
1843, he communicated to the London and Edinburgh Journal of 
Medical Science a comprehensive paper on the “ Physiology and 
Pathology of the Teeth.” I understand that most of the prepara- 
tions in the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons in this 
town, to illustrate the development of the teeth, were made by Mr 
Nasmyth. 
The late Professor G-oodsir was for seven years assistant 
to Mr Nasmyth, and has publicly acknowledged the valuable 
instruction he received from him. In 1842 Mr Nasmyth was 
elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, but I do not 
think he contributed any papers or notices to our transactions. 
He was vice-president of the Odontological Society of London, 
and had been so for thirteen years before his death. He had 
held the offices of surgeon-dentist to King George IV., to King 
William, and also to Queen Victoria. He was a person of affable 
manners, and easy access. Dr Smith of Wemyss Place informs 
me that he kindly gave him much assistance in preparing the 
lectures which he delivered in Surgeon’s Hall, and also in estab- 
lishing the Dental Dispensary of Edinburgh. 
Mr Nasmyth had in all four sons and four daughters. Two 
sons successively followed for a time their father’s profession ; 
but both died of consumption, as well as a daughter and another 
son. His third son was an officer in the artillery, and highly dis- 
tinguished himself in the defence of Silistria. 
Mr Nasmyth had a much larger and longer practice, in his 
