In the evening a dinner was held at the Queen’s Hotel, Mr. Campion
presiding, Mr. Major Stewart in the vice-chair.
The CHAIRMAN proposed the health of “The Queen and the rest of the Royal
Family.”
Mr. MAHONIE then gave a recitation from Shakespeare.
Mr. Major STEWART in rising to propose the toast of the President of the
branch said—It is my pleasing duty as your Vice-President to propose
this toast. I find our worthy Chairman took his M.R.C.S. degree in 1856,
I therefore regard him as the father of the profession in this district
of England; those who were present this morning heard his inaugural
address. Those words were words of wisdom, and were addressed not only
to the older, but also to the younger members of our Branch Association.
His address will be read with pleasure by members of our profession in
England and America. With regard to the chairmanship of this branch, I
think it would have been wise if Mr. Campion had been elected for three
years, until we were more consolidated. I am glad to see so many members
from this district present this evening, and will now conclude by asking
you to drink a bumper to the long life and successful career of our
Chairman. The toast was accepted most loyally.
The CHAIRMAN in responding said, gentlemen, you must have listened to my
voice sufficiently to-day—this is my last appearance before you this
session. Our Secretary has promised to allow me to enjoy myself, _otium
cum dignitate_, after I have returned my best thanks. It is with great
diffidence I respond to this toast, I really feel the difficulty
increased tenfold by the kind manner in which you, sir, have proposed,
and my friends accepted this toast. One word in regard to sub-branches—I
can see no reason why such large towns as Liverpool and Manchester
should not establish sub-branches; frequent meetings, say once a month,
could be held for an exchange of thoughts and methods of operation in
our department of Surgery, in which we are all interested; so
constituted, they would be private societies, to which any member of our
branch might be admitted. The great event of the next year will be the
meeting of the International Medical Congress, held in London during
August. This Congress has held its meetings every alternate year for the
last twelve years. The London members of the Medical profession have
taken it up very warmly, and are making preparations, which must result
in giving the Congress such a reception as will be worthy of our
capital.
The President of the Dental section is Mr. Edwin Saunders, whilst the
Vice-Presidents are Mr. John Tomes, and Mr. Spence Bate, Mr. C. S. Tomes
acts as Secretary, to all of whom we are much indebted for their
untiring efforts in raising our department of Surgery to its present
position. I trust that our branch will be well represented at this
Congress.
Another subject I will broach is the establishment of a Dental School in
Manchester. If such a school is formed it should be in concert with the
Manchester Medical School at the New Victoria University. When the
charter was first granted for the formation of a university, a medical
school was not included, but there appears very little doubt that in the
course of time such school will be established; let us then wait
patiently until we can thoroughly and efficiently carry out such an
undertaking.
I am sorry I cannot introduce you to a Dental hospital; this is to be
deplored, more especially as we took a prominent part in Dental reform
for the good of Dental practitioners. If younger and more able men will
commence the work, they shall receive my heartiest support and
co-operation. I must now conclude by expressing regret that I have not
the gift of speech, that I might explain to you the warm feelings I have
in regard to the reception you have given me, and the kind manner in
which you have drunk my health.
Dr. D. A. WORMALD sang “The Spinning Wheel.”
Dr. WORMALD, in proposing “The British Dental Association,” said: Mr.
President, and gentlemen, this toast is one, I am sure, you will drink
with the utmost cordiality. Those who sit round this board, and have
taken a part during the past few years in the politics of our
profession, must experience a feeling of congratulation that we are able
to meet to-night, and realize the fact that at last we occupy a
recognized position. We need re-organization, and we need a central
body, and the British Dental Association is that recognized body, and
demands our support and assistance. Well, join that Association, and do
what you can to lift up the profession from the low level in which we
have been placed, and raise it to a much higher level. We need, as your
President so kindly put it this afternoon, a higher professional tone,
and a more generous feeling towards our brethren; and that can only be
obtained by coming more and more in contact with each other, and through
the influence of such an organization as this we are met to commence,
which will assist in placing our profession in a position which it
should long ago have occupied. Many of those who are now in our ranks
may not see the full result of our labours, but depend upon this, that
our labours will be recognised in the great difference which will show
itself more and more in this country between those who are worthily
following their calling, and those who indulge in non-professional
practices. The British Dental Association will become strong and
durable, and then we may be sure that under the wisdom and the guidance
of those who have piloted our steps so far, we may safely follow them
wherever they lead, and so lay a foundation upon which the rising
generation may build up their professional career, and help to raise the
status of our profession. That profession is worthy of all the time and
attention that any honourable gentleman will give it, if he will follow
his calling worthily, and serving the interests of a suffering public.
In connection with this toast, Mr. Chairman, my friend Dr. Waite, will
have the pleasure of responding, and I have the greatest pleasure in
coupling his name with it.
Dr. WAITE responding, said, Mr. President, Mr. Vice-President, and
gentlemen, it is to me both a pleasure and a pride to be permitted to
respond to the toast of the “British Dental Association.” I am not much
of a believer in post-prandial oratory. The period of replenishment for
the physical energies, should be a period of repose for the energies
intellectual, or perhaps better still, a time of refreshment, by
agreeable and amusing conversation. That Englishmen should be fond of
dining together, is natural and characteristic; that they should be
almost equally prone to after dinner speechifying is somewhat
surprising. It is well, however, when the usages imposed by custom can
be observed, without making a too serious demand upon our drowsy powers,
and fortunately we have a condition of things existing at the present
time which, when fairly estimated, is calculated to awaken agreeable
reflections, and inspire us with salutary hopes.
Within the short space of five years, events have occurred with
astonishing rapidity, that have substantially and permanently altered
the position of the Dental profession, not alone in its relation to the
general public, but also in its internal organisation, and the mutual
relation of individuals to the whole body. These events may be
classified in three distinct items, and in each we shall find elements
of progress largely preponderating. First of all, most of you will
recall the feeling which prevailed when the idea of obtaining an Act of
Parliament was invoked at the Manchester meeting of 1875—it was not
regarded exactly as an utopian idea, but certainly we felt it to be
something almost too good to hope for. Well, in less than three years
from that time the Dentists Act was passed, and now, after two years
experience and consideration, we are able to discover what it is we have
obtained, though it is all too soon as yet, to realise (except very
partially) the practical benefits the Act is destined to confer. This
much, however, we know. We have a legal status. We have legal rights and
privileges. We are admitted to the fellowship of the honourable and
learned professions. These three points are assured, and we should see
to it, that we interpose no barrier of professional character or conduct
between ourselves and the privileges our Act bestows. We know, moreover,
that there are secured for those who will come after us, more
substantial benefits of education, of practice, of public appreciation,
such as none of us have been permitted to enjoy. This is the
characteristic feature of the Dentists Act. Its noblest provisions are
for posterity. No change, nor circumstance, can deprive any who have
assisted in passing this Act, of the pure satisfaction of knowing that
they have helped to hand on the profession of Dental Surgery in a far
better condition than that in which they received it. Many have
contributed in various ways, whose share in the work will be forgotten,
but the work remains. Identified with the whole of the movement, the
names of Tomes and Turner will be preserved and revered for many, many
years, yet withal the abundant reasons for personal gratification which
those gentlemen have, I am sure they rejoice a thousand fold more over
the results achieved, than they do at any honour or advantage accruing
to themselves. Take it as it stands, acknowledging its few
imperfections, and recognising its many decided benefits, we have as
good an Act as we had any right to expect, and as good as it was
possible for us to get.
One of the hindrances to Dental advancement has hitherto been the
scarcity of educational facilities, and the small proportion of
practitioners who possessed any Dental qualification. At the time to
which reference has already been made, there were only some 300
gentlemen in the whole of Great Britain who held a Dental diploma. There
was only one licensing body in the country which granted Dental
certificates. Now we have 630 gentlemen holding recognised Dental
qualifications, viz., of London about 400, Edinburgh 16, Dublin 180,
Glasgow 33, and the three last mentioned bodies are offering to
gentlemen in practice, the opportunity of examination, _sine curriculo_,
upon thoroughly reasonable and accessible terms. Not only so, the
Colleges of Ireland and Scotland have caused their certificates to
possess a peculiar value, in the careful provision they have made, for
preventing unprofessional practices on the part of their licentiates.
I am certainly astonished that the number of practitioners who have
already availed themselves of these facilities is so small. I know that
this matter of obtaining a Qualification is regarded variously by
different persons, but nothing is more certain than the growing tendency
toward accredited qualification as indispensable to professional status;
the public are rapidly becoming aware (and it is our business to educate
the public in this matter) that the operations of Dental Surgery cannot
be safely entrusted to uneducated heads or hands, and as a guarantee of
something like the necessary knowledge and skill, the public are
beginning to understand the value of a purely Dental Qualification. The
larger the number of Licentiates the more quickly the public will be
taught, and ere long the unqualified Dentist will become a mere historic
fact.
The all important feature of recent progress is the British Dental
Association. The Dental body has been afflicted with inherent weakness
through the want of organisation, a weakness that paralyses, and at the
same time, a weakness endowed with remarkable power, the power of
successfully defeating efforts toward general reformation. So long as we
were isolated and detached it is not wonderful that we were selfish and
afraid of one another, but a new era has dawned. We have an Association
to which all are eligible, where all can meet on the common ground of
professional brotherhood and intercourse. The control of the
Association, embracing the future welfare of the whole body, is
committed to a Board constituted on a representative basis. None need be
excluded from participation, save by their own poverty of professional
spirit, a poverty exhibited alike by persistent recourse to
unprofessional practice, and by selfish indifference to professional
politics. There may be a kind of superiority in having a large practice,
or in holding a high scientific position, but unless I am greatly
mistaken the true superiority is that which overleaps all selfish
considerations, and delights in consecrating whatever power or position
we may have to the elevation and improvement of the whole profession.
Thank God we have men who have been inspired with a large measure of
true professional spirit. Men who could think for themselves and hold
their own opinions, but who at the same time have been large-hearted
enough to merge minor differences in the pursuit of one grand object.
Such men as Edwin Saunders, John Tomes, J. Smith-Turner, T. A. Rogers,
A. Coleman, Dr. Walker, our esteemed President, and many others, stand
forth as examples of _true_ as distinct from _sham_ superiority.
The facilities now afforded by our separate branches have removed the
excuse so often urged when all the meetings took place in London, and
there is practically no obstacle to our speedy improvement. We possess
advantages of a political nature quite equal to those existing in any
kindred profession.
These are the bare facts of the present time; they furnish material for
much thankfulness and for cheerful anticipation. They are the foundation
on which our future must be erected. What that future is to be depends
on what we mean to be. The scaffolding is up, the materials are ready.
Willing hearts and willing hands are needed to complete the edifice.
There is a sublime principle working through the whole human family, the
operation of which no individual can withstand. It was formulated by the
Founder of the grandest system the world has ever known, and this is the
formula—
“Whosoever would be chief among you, let him be your servant.”
Mr. MAHONIE, in proposing the toast of “Sir John Lubbock, and the
promoters of the Dentists Act,” said:—No words of mine can add
additional lustre to the names—Sir John Lubbock, Mr. John Tomes, Mr.
James Smith Turner. These men have earned a name for themselves which
neither crayons nor oils—not even if they were placed in cathedral
aisles—could add more; these men have laboured much—laboured hard; I beg
to propose their health.
Captain ROGERS, in responding, spoke of the great triumph Sir John
Lubbock had accomplished in passing Bills connected with science, this
Parliament. He had great pleasure in thanking them for the hearty manner
in which they had received the names of these gentlemen connected with
Dental Reform.
Mr T MURPHY in proposing the “Manchester School of Medicine” said:—I
have had put into my hands a toast to propose, which is so intimately
connected with our branch of the profession, that it will require no
eulogy on my part for it to be received with acclamation, I mean the
Manchester Royal School of Medicine. Perhaps it will not be out of place
if I give you a short outline of its history. It was founded by the late
Mr. T. Turner in the year 1824; it was known for many years as the Pine
Street School. In 1850 a second school was established, and being
connected as I then was with a hospital in this city, I can well
remember the jealousy there was about the subjects that were sent out;
first one school and then another complaining that they were not getting
their fair share, and I must admit that the leaning was towards the old
school, which I think got, on the whole, rather more than its share. In
1858 the founders of the rival schools came to the conclusion that the
interests of the students would be best promoted by an amalgamation,
forgetting their differences and working together for the common weal.
In this way, from the Union of the Pine Street and Chatham Street
Schools, that school arose which has been long known as the Manchester
School of Medicine. For sixteen years the work was carried on in
Faulkden Street with difficulty both with regard to accommodation and
light. About the year 1872, a meeting of the Owen’s College authorities
met the leading Members of the medical staff, and it was agreed that it
would be for the welfare of the School if it were handed over to the
Owen’s College authorities. The result has been the erection of one of
the finest Medical Schools in the kingdom, replete with everything
necessary for the study of medicine. The course of instruction not only
enables students to qualify for College and Hall, but affords the more
aspiring every facility for qualifying themselves for the higher
distinctions of their profession. When I mention the names of Turner,
Jordan, Wilson, Smith, Wilkinson, Bradley, Southam, and last, but not
least, the celebrated Dalton, and others, who have gone; Gamgee, Watson,
Williamson, Roscoe, Roberts, Morgan, Lund, Simpson, Ransome, and other
able men, who are at present at the helm, can there be a doubt about the
quality of the education given? and, in conclusion, is it too much to
ask that before long we should have established in this city, and in
connection with the Victoria University, a Dental School where we can
send our sons to receive at the hands of these able men the necessary
training to fit them for the practice of Dentistry.
Mr. MARSH returned thanks for the toast; he trusted some day Mr. Campion
would be appointed Consulting Dental Surgeon to the Manchester School of
Medicine.
Dr. WAITE proposed “Success to the Western Counties Association,”
coupling with it the name of Mr. J. C. Parson, of Clifton.
Mr. PARSON having responded, the proceedings terminated.
Correspondence.
We do not hold ourselves responsible for the views expressed by our
Correspondents.
MR. SEWILL ON DENTAL CARIES.
TO THE EDITORS OF THE “MONTHLY REVIEW OF DENTAL SURGERY.”
SIRS,—While thanking you for your courteous notice of my contribution to
the second edition of Dr. Fothergill’s work, permit me to point out that
my contribution was not intended as an exhaustive discussion of the
subject of dental caries. I was asked to write only upon the “Hygiene of
the Teeth,” and to indicate to the medical practitioner the means
available for the prevention of dental disease. In accordance with the
scheme of the work it was requisite to explain the etiology and
pathology of caries in order to make clear the _rationale_ of treatment,
and therefore, with brevity consistent with the limited space at my
disposal, I did so, adopting mainly what is termed the “chemical” theory
of the disease. This view, as you remark, is certainly “theoretical,”
but I venture to say it approaches as nearly to demonstration as need
be. I certainly do not hesitate to accept it as fact, and I felt more
bound to adopt it in the present instance, seeing, at least, that upon
this theory both the prophylaxis of caries as well as our treatment of
the disease seem based.
I should be glad to see a discussion of the subject started in your
columns or at the Odontological Society.
6, Wimpole Street, Yours faithfully,
September 30th, 1880. HENRY SEWILL.
Birmingham Dental Hospital, Broad Street.
Consulting Physician.—James Sawyer, M.D., Lond., M.R.C.P., Physician to
the Queen’s Hospital.
Consulting Surgeon.—James West, F.R.C.S., Senior Surgeon to the Queen’s
Hospital.
Consulting Dentists.—Thomas H. English, Adams Parkes, L.D.S.Eng.
Surgeon Chloroformist.—F. H. Maberley, M.R.C.S.
Dental Surgeons.—Charles Sims, L.D.S.Eng., Wednesdays; H. Breward Neale,
L.D.S.I., Tuesdays and Thursdays; F. H. Batchelor, L.D.S.I., Mondays and
Fridays; F. E. Huxley, M.R.C.S.Eng., L.D.S. Edin.; Saturdays.
Hon. Treasurer.—W. Udal, Esq.
Bankers.—Lloyd’s Banking Company, High Street.
Hon. Sec.—Allen Edwards, 82, New Street.