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14909

BOSTON

MEDICAL

FEB 16 1914

LIBRARY

Journal of the

British Dental Association

No. I.

JANUARY 15, 1902.

VOL. XXIII.

Original Communications.

The Use and Value of the Microscope in Dentistry. PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS DELIVERED AUGUST 5, 1901, BEFORE THE MICROSCOPICAL SECTION OF THE BRITISH DENTAL ASSOCIATION.

BY J. LEON WILLIAMS, D.D.S., L.D.S.

THE meeting which is to-day convened here is known as the Microscopical Section of the British Dental Association. I do not know what determined the application of this name to the department devoted especially to microscopical work. It may have been a bit of pleasantry on the part of those genial gentlemen to whom we are largely indebted for the organisation of this section, or it may be that the name was somewhat ironically applied to the earlier humble meetings by those who did not believe much in the practical value of microscopic work in dentistry, and looked upon the efforts of the section with indifference, as the dog regards his tail. But however the name originated, you will all agree that a microscope is no longer needed to discover this department of the British Dental Association. It is no longer a microscopic section, but a body very much in evidence at our annual meetings, even to the unaided eye of the most casual observer. We also have evidence that the work of this section is appreciated in certain quarters, at least. The Hon. Sec. of the General Convention, for instance, who as you all know is ever alert and indefatigable in the interests of the Association, has paid us the highest possible compliment in appropriating certain papers for the General Meeting which were especially prepared for this section. He no doubt thoroughly believed in the merit of the work of this

section, and desired that these papers should have the largest possible hearing and the fullest discussion. But the Hon. Sec. of this section seemed to think that the compliment, although highly appreciated, was hardly an equivalent for our papers, and he suggested that at least one of them should be restored to us, and so Mr. Goadby's paper will be read before this section. We certainly ought to be satisfied, for we have both the compliment and the paper. When we recall that this section was organised only a few years ago, largely, I believe, through the efforts of Mr. Charles Tomes and Mr. J. Howard Mummery, its rapid progress to its present important position must be very gratifying to its founders.

But while the section of the British Dental Association devoted to microscopical work is young, the art-science itself is already respectably antique. There seems always to be something pleasant to organisations, as to individuals, in tracing their origin as far back into the past as possible. Those twin terms, "ancient and honourable," fall delightfully upon the ear, and so most addresses of this sort which attempt a review of the science and art of microscopy go back to Leuenhöek for a beginning. But I think I find scraps of evidence here and there in the literature of the past that microscopic studies were pursued far back of the time of Leuenhöek. There is, for instance, a certain passage in Aristophanes, in one of those comedies which set Athens and all Greece laughing and mocking at the latter day Sophists, in which is described the visit of a certain citizen to the school of Socrates that he might be instructed how to make the worse appear the better reason, and so discharge his debts without paying a farthing. (Quite modern, you see, in his notions.) Strepsiades, the citizen, is being shown round the school by a student. All sorts of studies are being pursued, but the attention of Strepsiades is arrested by a group of men who, with bowed heads, are peering downward very intently. "What are those doing?" asks the citizen. And the student, in the somewhat ornate language of the schools, makes answer: They probe the secrets that lie deep as Tartarus." Clearly, this was the class in microscopy, and one feels the more certain of this on reading the next passage, in which the study of astronomy is contrasted with that just mentioned, in a manner somewhat flattering, be it noticed, to our special department. Yes, I think we may trace microscopical study as far back as the palmy days of ancient Greece.

66

I feel doubtful whether this brief reference to the past history of our speciality will satisfy the conventional requirements, but the time. which I may occupy is short, and although it is a far leap from Aristophanes to the middle of the nineteenth century, yet I believe the microscopic work which has been of value to dentistry is pretty well covered by the fifty years which precede the present date. In fact,

when I recollect that the old Goodsir theory of the development of the teeth in an open groove was taught in the leading dental schools in America only thirty years ago, I think I might cut ten years off the time mentioned. It is true this theory had been abandoned by the leading microscopical workers of this country at that time, and yet I cannot forget that when I opposed the Goodsir theory in the States the parting shot fired at me by my antagonists was the announcement that a beautiful microscopic slide had been received in Philadelphia, from a celebrated London expert, in which the Goodsir theory was completely demonstrated. The name of that celebrated London expert was not revealed, and if ever I had any wish to know it that wish has long since passed into the region of dead desires.

But coming down to recent times, let us briefly consider what the microscope has done for dentistry, what it is at present trying to do, and what we may confidently expect it will accomplish in the near future. I can probably bring the work which has been accomplished by aid of the microscope most vividly before you if I mention a few names associated with the literature of the subject. In this country the list of names must be headed by that of the late Sir John Tomes, and then we have following Mr. Charles Tomes, Mr. Mummery, Messrs. Milles and Underwood, Mr. Charters White, Professor Paul, Mr. Hopewell Smith and others. In America we have Dr. Miller, for although he has done most of his life's work in Germany we must never forget that he is a thorough American; Dr. G. V. Black, Dr. Sudduth, Dr. Andrews, and very recently there are younger men like Dr. Bromell coming to the front with work which is of the highest order in the beauty of its art and the perfection of its technique. On the continent also there are the names of many men high up on the roll of fame who have contributed important work to the literature of our subject. Professor von Ebner, Professor Arkövy, Messrs. Wedl, Weil, Retzius, Neuman, Walkhoff, Röse, Waldeyer, Kölliker, Legros, Galippe, Vignal, Choquet and others.

Just consider for a moment what the loss to dental literature and dental practice would be if the work done by aid of the microscope. by the men whose names I have mentioned could be struck out of existence. It would mean the loss of everything included under the term "antiseptic treatment," it would, in short, mean the loss of nearly everything which has contributed to the labour of placing dentistry upon a scientific basis. When we think of the work done by Messrs. Milles and Underwood, and Miller and Black, we see how the microscope has, step by step, demonstrated the modus operandi of dental caries. It has shown that acid fermentation is the immediate antecedent of this malady. It now remains to investigate and demonstrate the conditions which are inimical or otherwise to the development and activity of acid-forming micro-organisms. On this point there is at

section, and desired that these papers should have the largest possible hearing and the fullest discussion. But the Hon. Sec. of this section seemed to think that the compliment, although highly appreciated, was hardly an equivalent for our papers, and he suggested that at least one of them should be restored to us, and so Mr. Goadby's paper will be read before this section. We certainly ought to be satisfied, for we have both the compliment and the paper. When we recall that this section was organised only a few years ago, largely, I believe, through the efforts of Mr. Charles Tomes and Mr. J. Howard Mummery, its rapid progress to its present important position must be very gratifying to its founders.

But while the section of the British Dental Association devoted to microscopical work is young, the art-science itself is already respectably antique. There seems always to be something pleasant to organisations, as to individuals, in tracing their origin as far back into the past as possible. Those twin terms, "ancient and honourable," fall delightfully upon the ear, and so most addresses of this sort which attempt a review of the science and art of microscopy go back to Leuenhöek for a beginning. But I think I find scraps of evidence here and there in the literature of the past that microscopic studies were pursued far back of the time of Leuenhöek. There is, for instance, a certain passage in Aristophanes, in one of those comedies which set Athens and all Greece laughing and mocking at the latter day Sophists, in which is described the visit of a certain citizen to the school of Socrates that he might be instructed how to make the worse appear the better reason, and so discharge his debts without paying a farthing. (Quite modern, you see, in his notions.) Strepsiades, the citizen, is being shown round the school by a student. All sorts of studies are being pursued, but the attention of Strepsiades is arrested by a group of men who, with bowed heads, are peering downward very intently. "What are those doing?" asks the citizen. And the student, in the somewhat ornate language of the schools, makes answer: "They probe the secrets that lie deep as Tartarus." Clearly, this was the class in microscopy, and one feels the more certain of this on reading the next passage, in which the study of astronomy is contrasted with that just mentioned, in a manner somewhat flattering, be it noticed, to our special department. Yes, I think we may trace microscopical study as far back as the palmy days of ancient Greece.

I feel doubtful whether this brief reference to the past history of our speciality will satisfy the conventional requirements, but the time. which I may occupy is short, and although it is a far leap from Aristophanes to the middle of the nineteenth century, yet I believe the microscopic work which has been of value to dentistry is pretty well covered by the fifty years which precede the present date. In fact,

when I recollect that the old Goodsir theory of the development of the teeth in an open groove was taught in the leading dental schools in America only thirty years ago, I think I might cut ten years off the time mentioned. It is true this theory had been abandoned by the leading microscopical workers of this country at that time, and yet I cannot forget that when I opposed the Goodsir theory in the States the parting shot fired at me by my antagonists was the announcement that a beautiful microscopic slide had been received in Philadelphia, from a celebrated London expert, in which the Goodsir theory was completely demonstrated. The name of that celebrated London expert was not revealed, and if ever I had any wish to know it that wish has long since passed into the region of dead desires.

But coming down to recent times, let us briefly consider what the microscope has done for dentistry, what it is at present trying to do, and what we may confidently expect it will accomplish in the near future. I can probably bring the work which has been accomplished by aid of the microscope most vividly before you if I mention a few names associated with the literature of the subject. In this country the list of names must be headed by that of the late Sir John Tomes, and then we have following Mr. Charles Tomes, Mr. Mummery, Messrs. Milles and Underwood, Mr. Charters White, Professor Paul, Mr. Hopewell Smith and others. In America we have Dr. Miller, for although he has done most of his life's work in Germany we must never forget that he is a thorough American; Dr. G. V. Black, Dr. Sudduth, Dr. Andrews, and very recently there are younger men like Dr. Bromell coming to the front with work which is of the highest order in the beauty of its art and the perfection of its technique. On the continent also there are the names of many men high up on the roll of fame who have contributed important work to the literature of our subject. Professor von Ebner, Professor Arkövy, Messrs. Wedl, Weil, Retzius, Neuman, Walkhoff, Röse, Waldeyer, Kölliker, Legros, Galippe, Vignal, Choquet and others.

Just consider for a moment what the loss to dental literature and dental practice would be if the work done by aid of the microscope by the men whose names I have mentioned could be struck out of existence. It would mean the loss of everything included under the term "antiseptic treatment," it would, in short, mean the loss of nearly everything which has contributed to the labour of placing dentistry upon a scientific basis. When we think of the work done by Messrs. Milles and Underwood, and Miller and Black, we see how the microscope has, step by step, demonstrated the modus operandi of dental caries. It has shown that acid fermentation is the immediate antecedent of this malady. It now remains to investigate and demonstrate the conditions which are inimical or otherwise to the development and activity of acid-forming micro-organisms. On this point there is at