The Pathogenesis of the Lower Jaw, by G. V. I. Brown... 119 .134 135, 137 .137 Congenital Clefts of the Palate in Infants (Stereopticon Exhibit), by SECTION I-PROSTHETIC DENTISTRY, CROWN AND BRIDGEWORK, METALLURGY, CHEMISTRY AND ORTHODONTIA. Premature Extraction of Deciduous Teeth, by H. A. Pullen. .145 152 ..162 .163 A Plea for Uniformity in the Preparation of Roots and the Construction ..167 SECTION II-DENTAL EDUCATION, LITERATURE, NOMENCLATURE, HISTOLOGY AND MICROSCOPY. Some Thoughts on the So-Called "Preliminary Requirements," by A. J. Structure of the Enamel in Its Relation to the Formation of the Walls and Margins of Cavities (Cusps and Marginal Ridges), by F. B. MINUTES OF MEETING. Resolutions on International Dental Congress. Report of Chairman of Section V... Report of Committee on Army and Navy Dental Legislation. .273 .276 .277 ANNUAL ADDRESS. By J. A. LIBBEY, PRESIDENT. There have been various attempts to mark by some distinguishing title the character of our age. Its tremendous commercial and manufacturing energy; its wonderful discoveries, especially along the line of electricity-the brilliant adaptation of this force to practical life— have seemed appropriately to designate the age. But we are proud to be able to choose a still stronger designation, and call it the age of remarkable increasing benevolence. The gifts in behalf of education, amounting each year to many millions, have become to us a commonplace subject of felicitation; while they excite the wonder and are beginning to stimulate the same spirit in other people. But it may be well for us to ask ourselves whether it is not part of our responsibility to direct somewhat the current of this noble giving, so that some of its power and blessings shall flow into our work. We sympathize with every effort to develop universities and the opportunities for technical and manual training; we rejoice in all that instructs brain and hand; but we shall rightly ask for a place, remembering how greatly our profession needs increased facilities and the advantage of these opportunities to hasten a progress greater than that of the past. Ministering as it does to the health and happiness of the community, our profession has an unselfish platform from which to appeal for our share in these generous gifts. If we are to fully develop our science; if we are to train students who will make fresh discoveries and increase in skill-who will be able to give to suffering thousands the results of a science completely mastered, we must have a more perfect education. The proposed lengthening of the course of study is at once an evidence of our desire to send out more skillful practitioners and unite our larger skill to the great needs of suffering humanity. I allude particularly to the National University, the Polytechnic School of Pittsburg, the prospects of enlarged university facilities, and the Evans' fund. I recommend that a committee be appointed to look after the interests of our profession in this matter. The New York State Dental Society has taken the initiative step, and this Association should give all the assistance it can. It seems to me it would be better to do this work in the name of the National Dental Association, giving the New York Society due credit and a representation on the committee. The National Dental Association is a delegate body representing the organized dental profession of this nation, and being a delegate body, its work is for the benefit of the whole organized body of dentists. Its membership is not merely the few who come as delegates and bear the burden of the work and expense, but every member of a state or local society which is represented by a delegate is in the same relation to this Association as every citizen is to our government. A citizen is a supporter of the government-this country is governed by representatives elected by the people, and the same rule should prevail in this Association. Our work is for the advancement of the whole profession and should be supported by it, instead of the burden falling exclusively upon those who devote their time, energy and talents to the work. It is the duty of every society represented in the National Dental Association to acknowledge its allegiance to it by contributing to its support. If every society would pay the small tax of one dollar for every delegate to whom it is entitled, it would increase the fund in the treasury to such an extent that this Association could accomplish vastly more than is possible under the present plans. We could encourage investigation to a greater extent, we could print our own journal, and place it in the hands of the members immediately, all the journals having the same opportunity of using any of the material they wish, instead of making a privileged journal, and having transactions come to the members as evidence of something that has gone before. As the permanent mem |