thoroughly towards society, and to whom our deepest thanks are due. (Applause.)

Mr. OAKLEY COLES.-We should not like to separate tonight, and I am sure none of us would like to leave this room, without recording our very deep and profound thanks to you, sir, for the obligation you have placed us under by presiding on this occasion. To have you with us is a most desirable thing; to have you with us in the capacity of Chairman is a still more desirable thing; but most desirable of all is to hear from a gentleman holding the high position held by Mr. Wilson expressions on the present position of Dental Surgery, on the present position of this school, and on our prospects in the future. This is the summing up of our obligation to you, and I am sure the meeting will heartily join me in thanking you for being present with us to-night. (Applause.)

The resolution was unanimously agreed to.

The CHAIRMAN.-Ladies and gentlemen, I feel at the present moment in a somewhat difficult position, and am taxing myself as to what I have done. You have been kind enough to thank me, and I am only too happy to return my thanks; but as I have wasted all my words in my speech I have no words left in which I can fully express the kindly feeling which I entertain towards you, and also my gratitude to you for the very kind manner in which you have been pleased to receive my remarks.

A concert of excellent vocal and instrumental music, conducted by Mr. Charles Davieson, followed.

Miscellanea.

DENTISTRY IN POLYNESIA.

THE Dentists of the Solomon Islands, though somewhat heroic in their treatment, are said to be but little inferior to their European brethren. When a man wishes to have a tooth or two replaced, a couple of assistants hold him firmly, while the operator, propping the patient's mouth open with pieces of bamboo, proceeds down along the gum until he has cleared the surface of the jaw-bone. Into the cavity thus made along the gum he inserts a piece of tortoise-shell or mother-of-pearl of the requisite length, and then binds the gum up on each side of the new tooth with a kind of vegetable glue. After a few days' feeding on liquid diet, the

wound generally heals; and it is a common sight to see old men with almost all their teeth replaced in this fashion.Family Herald.

ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS, EDINBURGH.

The following gentlemen passed their first professional examination for the Licence in Dental Surgery during the recent sittings of the examiners:

Mr. Henry Wyles, Leeds.

Mr. James Lindsay, Edinburgh.

Mr. Edward Innes Ayton, Edinburgh.
Mr. Thomas Gaddes, Carlisle.

Mr. Joseph Smithson Thomson, Dublin.
Mr. Hume Purdie, Alford.

Mr. Robert Peel Thomson, Dublin.

And the following gentlemen passed their final examination and were admitted Licentiates in Dental Surgery: Mr. Frank Harrison, Sheffield.

Mr. James Stewart, Perth.

Mr. Thomas Gaddes, Carlisle.

Mr. Edward Innes Ayton, Edinburgh.

Mr. Maximilian Frank Simson, Lee, Kent.

Mr. Hugh Fraser, Largs, Ayrshire.

Mr. Henry Wyles, Leeds.

Mr. Ernest Burt, Weymouth.

FACULTY OF PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS OF
GLASGOW.

In the April list of those who obtained the Dental licence of this Corporation, the address of Mr. Jas. H. Parkinson should have been given as "St. Helen's instead of "Hulme."

ANDERSON'S COLLEGE, GLASGOW.

MR. JOHN AUSTIN BIGGS has been appointed Dental officer in the room of the late Mr. J. C. Morison, L.D.S.

GLASGOW DENTAL HOSPITAL.

THE Treasurer requests to be allowed to acknowledge the receipt of an annual subscription of two guineas from Messrs. C. Ash and Sons of London.

NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE DENTAL HOSPITAL.

WE are sorry to find the name of Mr. G. F. Tate again figuring in a paragraph if possible more silly than that to which we recently called attention. The Newcastle Examiner' of May 6th informs its readers that "this accomplished Dental surgeon has the special recommendation of having spoiled the mouths of the Egyptians!" As the result of a pretty long experience of journalism we can confidently assert that editors do not indulge in these pleasantries unless they think they will be acceptable to those referred to. We hope that Mr. Tate will quickly undeceive them, and that he will believe us when we tell him that though such puffs may cause a little temporary notoriety, they are likely in the end to do him a great deal more harm than good; and that industry and conscientious work will do more to get him a practice than a volume of such rubbish. This advice will apply to other energetic young men besides the one we have named. Let them remember that "most haste is often least speed."

Correspondence.

[We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our Correspondents.]

THE PUFF OBLIQUE.

To the Editor of the British Journal of Dental Science.' SIR,-I should be glad to have your opinion of the enclosed advertisement which I have cut from the Times' of May 4th. It appears to me that if the object of this talented member of our profession is simply what it professes to be, then the Times' is not the best advertising medium by which to attain it. But the number of capital letters, &c., appended to his name would certainly lead one to infer that this is, to say the least, not the sole object of his announcement. Would it be too much to expect that the authorities of the Irish College should remind him of a certain declaration which he signed not so very long since? I am, &c.,

DENT

NEMO. ENTISTRY.-FINISHING LESSONS given in mechanical dentistry (cleft palates and all other surgical cases) to gentlemen who have been unable to acquire a thorough knowlege of this branch. Terms for the course of 12 lessons, 10 guineas; single lessons, one guinea.

L.D.S., R.C.S., F.S.S., by curriculum (St. George's and Dental Hospitals, London) (address in full).

VOL. XXIV.

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To Correspondents.

1. Communications intended for insertion in the ensuing number must be forwarded to the Editor, at the Office, 11, New Burlington Street, London, W. by the 8th and 23rd of the month, or they cannot be published in the ensuing issue; they must also be duly authenticated by the name and address of the writer.

2. We cannot undertake to return communications unless the necessary postage stamps are forwarded.

3. It is earnestly requested of our correspondents that their communications be written on one side of the sheet only; and we also beg to call particular attention to the importance of a carefully-penned signature and address. 4. All communications relative to subscriptions and advertisements are to be addressed to the Publishers, Messrs. J. and A. Churchill, 11, New Burlington Street, London, W.

5. The Journal will be supplied direct from the office on PREPAYMENT of subscriptions as under:

Twelve Months (post free)

14s. Od.

Post-office Orders to be made payable at the Regent Street Office, to J. and A. Churchill, 11, New Burlington Street, W. A single number sent on receipt of seven (penny) stamps.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

« ARTICLED."-We are not aware of any such practice; it certainly is not general. "JUNIOR."-We cannot give an opinion unless we know more about the case you omit all reference to some of the most important points which are required for the purpose of diagnosis.

Communications have been received from the Secretary of the College of Surgeons of England, the Secretary of the Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, the Secretaries of the Odontological Society of Great Britain, the Secretary of the National Dental Hospital (London), Messrs. J. R. Brownlie (Glasgow), Thos. Gaddes (London), Geo. Beavis (Newport), "Nemo," « Back Again,” “ Articled," " Junior," &c.

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BOOKS AND PAPERS RECEIVED.

Reminiscences of a Dental Surgeon.' Transactions of the Ohio State Dental Society.' 'Missouri Dental Journal.' Gazette Odontologique.' 'Dental Advertiser,' Specialist.' 'Pharmaceutical Journal.' 'Lancet.' 'British Medical Journal.' 'Medical Times and Gazette.' 'The Oracle.' 'L'Odontologia.' El Progreso Dental de la Habana.' 'Newcastle Examiner.' Worcester Times.' &c.

NOTICE.-We desire that it may be clearly understood that our pages are open to all for free expression of their views on matters connected with our profession. We only ask for terseness of expression and MODERATION in tone.

When otherwise unobjectionable, difference of political or other opinion will never be regarded by the Editor as a disqualification for the admission of any communication to the pages of the BRITISH JOURNAL OF DENTAL SCIENCE.

British Journal of Dental Science.

No. 321.

LONDON, JUNE 1, 1881.

VOL. XXIV.

Dental Surgery and Medicine.

THE CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF FILLINGS UPON TEETH.

By THOMAS FLETCHER, F.C.S.

THE article on this subject by Dr. Mayr, in the British Journal of Dental Science' for May 15th, is one which cannot be allowed to pass without comment. Two things he states can readily be taken for granted. First, that "his practice in Dentistry is very limited," second, that "the task he has undertaken is almost too difficult for him." Any one reading his paper with a knowledge of the subject would at once give him credit for correctness, at least, on these two points. Why he should attempt to do what he has done, knowing so well his own incapacity, is hard to see. It might be desirable to know how he connects "lazy schoolboys" and "algebra to equations in the third degree" with Dentistry, but it will be better to examine at once his positive

statements.

First, we will take the remark that "gold certainly does not exclude moisture as well as any of the other fillings." To any one who has actually tested the moisture tightness of soft gold or of cohesive gold properly packed with ball-faced pluggers, the statement is an absurdity. I am not by any means a first-rate operator, but I will undertake to make a plug of either soft or cohesive gold absolutely tight against penetrating dyes, and any second-rate operator who understands his material and instruments can do the same easily.

If Dr. Mayr eats " oyster stew at a temperature of 130° F.," getting it carefully in contact with his gold fillings, and then" within six seconds drinks ice water at 32° F.," getting this also carefully in contact with his gold fillings, one can only regret his want of common sense and consideration for his own feelings. His example is not likely to be followed generally.

VOL. XXIV.

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