The International Dental Journal for June gives us a review of a paper read by Dr. Mendel Joseph of Paris before the Odontological Society of that city, in which we are given several new ideas in pulp capping. Dr. Joseph divides cases suitable for capping into three classes: 1st class, where there is a thin layer of dentin protecting the pulp; 2d, where the pulp is laid bare by the operator; 3d, where the pulp is exposed by progress of caries without symptoms of inflammation.

Great stress is laid on importance of Sterilization of dentin in the bottom of cavity, and the use of an antiseptic for this purpose that will not irritate the pulp. The essayist claims that one of the principal causes of failure in capping is the degeneration of the pulp, especially the calcic form, which is brought about by the efforts made by it to produce a deposit of secondary dentin. Plaster of Paris is recommended here for the first time, so far as the essayist knows, for sealing in dressings. It may be flowed over the dressing without pressure, does not irritate, is easily removed, and seals the cavity. The method in short is-Cavity excavated, washed and dried, and a pledget of cotton wet with chloroform is applied while dressing is being mixed. The dressing consists of Zinci Oxidi grs. II, Cocaine Hydrochlorate gr. 1, Guaiacol q. s. to make a creamy paste. This paste is incorporated with asbestos fibers to give body, is applied over the pulp and sealed with plaster for 24 hours. At a second sitting a dressing in which 2 grs. of salol takes the place of cocaine is applied, to be left 48 hrs. The third dressing of same composition is allowed to remain four or five days. The final capping of zinc oxidi and guaiacol mixed thick and incorporated with asbestos is sealed with plaster. When plaster is hard cement may be placed over this and cavity filled with gold. After using the above method in 90 cases the author has had no failures.

The International Dental Journal for June published an extract from a German paper which advocates carbonic acid gas as a means to control hypersensitive dentin. This gas is used in general medicine to procure relief from pain in carcinoma of the breast and uterus, and in Neuralgia of the uterus, the effect lasting from onehalf to one hour.

The apparatus necessary in applying gas to the dentin consists of a bottle which is filled with the gas under pressure and to which is

added a warming apparatus and mixing tube. By means of the mixing tube cocaine is mixed with the gas. The author uses first the pure gas thrown into the cavity at body temperature, followed by gas mixed with a 20 per cent solution of cocaine, and finally pure gas again. Anaesthesia is claimed in 2 to 3 minutes.

The International Dental Journal for December published by D. D. Smith of Philadelphia a paper on "Oral Prophylaxis." Dr. Smith's ideas as advanced in "Prophylaxis in Dentistry" published in 1898 are well known.

In the article under notice the further position is taken that by his methods the teeth are not only rendered immune to caries but,— to use his words, "There is an evident stimulation of the life forces of tooth both thro' pulp and pericementum. The benefits are not to enamel alone, but are equally pronounced in pericementum, gums, Alveolar Structure and apparently in dentin and cementum. The stimulation from the treatment rapidly changes the color of the tooth, diminishing its sensitiveness and greatly improving its quality."

The International Dental Journal for December publishes "A contribution to the Sterilization of Dentin in Living and Dead Teeth" by J. Choquet of Paris.

This paper is a development along the lines of a paper presented by the same experimenter before the International Dental Congress, on the recurrence of decay under perfect fillings. In that paper he quoted Galippe, Miller and others, and reported original experiments to show that the recurrence of decay under perfect fillings is due to the development and action of those Micro-organisms which we know to be left in the tubuli of the dentin, even after the most radical preparation of cavity.

In the present paper Dr. Choquet presents a method for Sterilization of cavities and reports experiments to prove its efficacy. The difficulty to be overcome is that of penetration, and this is effected by his method. His experiments in the laboratory show that alcohol will penetrate dentin which has been previously dried, but will not penetrate the moist tissue. This he thinks the important point. The method consists of, first, Mechanical cleansing of cavity; second, dehydration with cool air and the energetic action of alcohol of increasing strength; third, dry with hot air and apply alcholic solution of xylol, geranium essence and hydronaphthol. In case cavity

is shallow the filling may be put in at once. If large it is dressed. with the above mixture sealing same for 24 hours and then filled. Experiments on teeth treated after above methods showed completely sterilized dentine.

Excerpts from the Dental Cosmos are prepared by Dr. J. L. Mewborn of Memphis, Tenn., and presented by Dr. W. M. Slack also of Memphis, as follows:

In reviewing the different months of the Dental Cosmos for 1901, I find that a large proportion of the matter contained was reports of papers and discussions at the Third International Dental Congress at Paris in 1900, and the National Dental Asociation. In the January number of the "Cosmos" eighty-five pages are devoted to these papers, which were read in 1900, and absolutely nothing showed to the credit of 1901.

In the February number of the Dental Cosmos there are several good papers of 1901, containing some ideas both new and good. The paper by Dr. W. A. Spring on the importance of a proper biscuit bake, should be studied by those who do inlay or any kind of porcelain work. The Doctor makes it plain that owing to the fact that porcelain shrinks one sixth its bulk in fusing it is necessary to bake twice; of vital importance that the first should be a biscuit bake -not over-fused, or the next will be porous, and the result very rough, dirty and unsatisfactory. Many good points are made in this paper, and all interested in this class of work should hunt it up, and study it carefully.

On page 157 the discussion on Dr. Burke's paper-"The Best Material for Filling Temporary Teeth"-by Drs. Register, Hickman, Luckie, Libby and Kirk, brings out some important advantages that copper amalgam has over any other material for this purpose. Not so thorough excavating, requires less pressure, its chemical effect on soft and hyper-sensitive teeth, etc. Dr. Black's experiments show that it is the only amalgam that does not expand or contract, and especially suited to buccal surfaces of lower molars.

On page 247, March "Cosmos," Dr. W. A. Mills has a short article and a number of cases in practice in which the most violent and persistent toothache could be accounted for in no other way than as a reflex of La Grippe. In most of these cases the tooth supposed to be the cause of the trouble was found to be in a normal

condition, not sensitive to heat, cold or percussion; and still after using counter-irritants and analgesics, patient would return next day begging for the tooth to be extracted, or "he would go mad." No doubt many of the painful conditions of the teeth and Sinuses. of the face of obscure origin are reflex of La Grippe, and will disappear on recovery from that dreadful malady.

From the very thorough investigations of Dr. I. F. Low on instrument and instrument case sterilization, page 881, August "Cosmos," after experimenting on instruments selected at random from the cases of the most careful operators, it seems that some change should be made in the construction of dental cabinets, so that the fumes from a formaldehyde generator can reach every apartment, then the whole outfit can be thoroughly sterilized during the night as he describes.

Dr. M. C. Smith's discussion of a paper on correcting irregularities—Page 938, August "Cosmos"-should be studied carefully. I agree with his conclusions that Dentists who attempt to correct irregularities of the teeth, especially that variety known as "saddle arch," must learn that if the cause which brought on the trouble continues, the trouble will recur, and if their operation is to succeed the cause must be removed, and the patient must be able to breathe naturally through the nostrils, and must acquire the habit of so breathing. In nearly every case, no matter how long the retaining appliances may be worn, unless these adenoid growths have been removed from the post nasal region, the patient is still a mouth breather, and on removing the appliances the deformity will return.

I furthermore believe it to be our duty to urge parents to watch their children between the ages of six and twelve, and if it is found that the little ones do not breathe easily and freely through the nose, while asleep, a specialist should treat the case at once.

I am glad to see the subject of Oral Hygiene in our Public Schools coming to the front. The paper by Dr. G. H. Hardisty-Page 950— is a valuable contribution on this subject. Every dentist should study it, and carry out his suggestions.

In the September "Cosmos"-Page 1022-Dr. J. E. Hinkins of Chicago describes his method of using (what he calls) a preparation of Dr. Kowarska's, who is a Russian.

This acetone solution of celluloid makes a valuable splint for

loosened teeth used as he describes, also for many other purposes. I have been using it for four or five years by mixing about 1/4 in bulk with cement, and hardening it by a method of my own, with very satisfactory results. It makes the filling more impervious to fluids, and is affected less by acids, therefore trebling the durability of the filling.

W. M. SLACK,

J. E. CHACE,

J. J. SARRAZIN, Chrmn. of Committee. Dr. Sarrazin announced that the first paper on Operative Dentistry would be from Dr. Chas. A. Bland, of Charlotte, N. C. Dr. Bland read a paper on

AESTHETICS IN OPERATIVE DENTISTRY.

When I consented to prepare a paper on Operative Dentistry, I was not unmindful of my temerity, a mere tyro attempting to present something new to this society. Appreciating that this is an impossible task, I shall merely endeavor to evoke discussion on some subjects which will bring out new ideas from the more experienced members. If I succeed in doing this I shall be content. Mechanics and aesthetics should go hand in hand in Operative Dentistry. What we are striving for is permanency and beauty, this rare combination in a filling material is yet to be discovered. The gold filling when properly done is from a mechanical standpoint by far the most permanent, but beauty is sacrificed for durability. However, when it becomes necessary to show gold at all, the cavity should be cut boldly to the front and the margins made to assume graceful curves; attempts at concealment, which result in irregularity of margins, proclaim artificiality more than when no effort is made to hide the gold. To place gold crowns in conspicuous places in the mouth is a violation of good taste and is condemned more by the profession than the laity. Di. Herd's anecdote told at the Niagara meeting of the National illustrates what our patients think of an unnecessary display of gold. A well-known New York dentist told a French lady, "I can put white filling, only gold is so much more permanent.' "Yes," she answered, "but over in France we would rather be temporarily beautiful than permanently ugly." The highest art is to conceal art, but let us be sure it is concealed. Dr. N. S. Jenkins of Dresden, Ger