The principles and practice of dentistry : including anatomy, physiology, pathology, therapeutics, dental surgery and mechanism / by Chapin A. Harris.

  • Harris, Chapin A. (Chapin Aaron), 1806-1860.
Date:
1885
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The principles and practice of dentistry : including anatomy, physiology, pathology, therapeutics, dental surgery and mechanism / by Chapin A. Harris. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University Libraries/Information Services, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University.

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    but in the class to wliich he has descended, the question of price invariably leads to considerations of cost, and the quality of his work, slowly perhaps, but surely, deteriorates. The disastrous influence of vulcanite abundantly proves that, when cost of material is permitted to enter as an element in determining the value of scientific art-work, it inevitably degrades it; and the entire history of prosthetic dentistry shows that competition in price (the develop- ment of Mr. Buskin's fee first and work second ) is fatal to all progress in art or advancement in science. The results of such com- petition are, to honest men, a life of slavish toil, with no time for self-improvement; to others, a deliberate slighting of work which destroys all the nobility of a man's nature. Dentistry, thus learned and thus practiced, has no just claim to be called a profession; it has neither the liberality, generosity, nor culture, which men are accustomed to associate with professional life; and its pretentious claims serve only to call to mind the satire of Juvenal, Scire volunt omnes, mercedem solvere nemo. Dentistry, as a true science and art, is built upon the foundation of a generous early education, is enlightened by a complete medical course of instruction, is specially trained by a full term of practical pupilage, and recognizes no sliding-scale in the quality of the service it renders. Such dentistry will exercise influence in its own, and command'respect among kindred professions; for it becomes thus a curative work, second in importance and extent of its usefulness to no specialty of the great Art of Healing.