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68 THE TECHNICAL PROCEDURES IN FILLING TEETH.

sought, first, to the end of accomplishing the operations easily
and expeditiously, and, second, for that change of position of the
relation of the operator to his patient that will be a rest to his
muscles as he continues at the chair hour after hour. One of the
great difficulties in dental practice has been the confinement of
the operator to one position for long intervals at a time, in this
way tiring out certain sets of muscles, which comes to be very
wearing upon the whole nervous system. This tends to break
down the operator prematurely, while the frequent changes of
position that may he had by seeldng favorable finger jjositions in
other than the principal position for the operator, which is the
right side behind, bring movement and rest and keep the oper-
ator in a condition very much better fitted for prolonged service
at the chair. It has been the observation that many of those who
stand in unfavorable positions steadily without much change
about the chair, tend to break down much earlier than those who
are moving from position to position frequently. The introduc-
tion of the fountain spittoon in the form that gives it a permanent
position in the left side of the chair, has been serving to limit the
positions of the operator much more than it should. If the spit-
toon is so arranged that it is easily pushed aside for the moment,
allowing the operator to assume the position of left side in front
upon occasion, it should not interfere with these movements.
Such an arrangement should always be selected.
Heretofore we have had no nomenclature of this subject or
any systematization by which discussion of it could be had. Gen-
erally in teaching operative dentistry, or in writing, the subject
has been passed almost without notice. The definitions of posi-
tions introduced here should enable students and teachers to
understand each other better than heretofore and discussion
should do much good in amending bad positions which cause
needless wear to both operators and patients. This whole sub-
ject should be very closely studied for the benefit of all concerned.