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Fauchard,* in speaking of the state of dental surgery, in
liis time, remarks, that in France, " the most celebrated sur-
geons, having abandoned this branch of surgery, or hav-
ing but little cultivated it, their negligence gave rise to a
class of persons who without theoretic knowledge or ex-
perience, and without being qualified, practised it at haz-
ard, having neither principles nor system. It was only
since the year 1700, that the intelligent in Paris opened
their eyes to these abuses : When it was provided, that
those who intended practising dental surgery, should sub-
mit to an examination by men, learned in all the branches
of medical science ; who should decide upon their merits."
Mr. Blake concurs in these remarks, and observes,-]- that
about the year 1700, the necessity of some artificial mode
of preserving the teeth attracted particular attention in
Paris, and a few surgeons there began to confine their at'
tention to diseases of the mouth and teeth alone ; from
which period may be dated the commencement of useful
knowledge in that branch, founded on experience."
It appears that at this time dental surgery was at a very
low ebb in England, being little understood either in theory
or practice ; and as bad, or even worse, amongst the other
European nations. Our science and art obtained a gradual
amelioration in Paris, and, in the year 1728, Fauchard pub-
lished his justly celebrated work : a work which has only to
be read to be admired ; and has justly obtained for him the
title of " the Father of Modern Dentists." He lived in the
reign of Louis XVth, and was one of the most distinguished
dentists of his time. His work proves him to have been
learned in the medical sciences. Mr. Andibran, says, " it

* Preface, page si—xn. t Page 5
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