Introductory address delivered at the opening of the second session of the Metropolitan School of Dental Science.

  • Robinson, James, 1813-1862.
Date:
[1860]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Introductory address delivered at the opening of the second session of the Metropolitan School of Dental Science. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    the practice of his Profession : tlien, when he has clone this, and not before, let him turn his attention to his favourite pursuit, and he will be all the more certain to excel in it for the knowledge which he has obtained of other collateral sciences. So long as you are students, you should carefully bear in mmd the real object of your studentship ; not that you should be only good anatomists, or good workmen, or good chemists, or good surgeons, but what all these are essential to form— and that is, good Dentists. Before entering more fully upon the subjects to which I have just alluded, it will not be misplaced if I say a few words with respect to the School itself. Gentlemen, our School is still young, so that we can- not dwell upon the past, but must look rather to the future : neverthe- less, it has passed safely and prosperously tlirough that critical period, the first year of its existence. Let it only tlirive as much during the next two or three years as it has done during the last, and it will be destined to enjoy a long and vigorous manhood. It has not had the good fortune to be established in the midst of unanimity and peace in the Dental Profession ; but it has had to make its way against opposition and against conflicting oj)inions. It has been condemned by some ; it has been looked upon doubtfully and lukewarmly by others ; but, at the same time, it has met with true and earnest supporters. In spite of these disadvantages and discouragements, it niunbered seven-and-twenty students during the first session. It was not to be expected that an equal number would enter the School in the second session ; but there are already several additional students, and there is every prospect of others joining when the business of the session shall have commenced. Since we last met together, an event has taken place which must not be passed over in silence. I refer to the establishment of the London School of Dental Surgery. In the Inaugural Address which was delivered at the opening of the School, there are certain passages which have reference to our own, and wliich do not fairly represent the feelings and opinions of those who belong to it. It is stated that it is the wish of those who represent the College of Dentists to detach the Dental Profession from the general Profession of Medicine. This is a somewhat ambiguous phrase, and may be interpreted in two very different ways. If it is meant that they desire the Dentist should be ignorant of medi- cine and of surgery, then it is incorrect; but if it is intended thereby that they desire to see the Dental Profession, as it has ever been, a separate and distinct branch of practice, and that they conceive that its members form a sufficiently numerous and important class of prac- titioners to have a governing body of their own, selected from amongst