Page 22 - My FlipBook

18

in effect impossible to expose with more clearness, and
is
to demonstrate with more evidence, the precepts of an
art which partakes at the same time of medicine and sur-
gery."*
It is entitled, " Le Chirugien Dentiste ou Traite des Dents,
ou L'onEnseigne lesmoyens deles entretenir propre et saines,
de les embellir, d'en reparer la perte et de remedier a leur
maladies, a celles des gencives et aux accidens qui peuvent
survenir aux autres parties voisines des dents.
Avec des observations et des Reflexions sur plusiers cas
singuliers."
It is enriched with 42 engraved plates.
This work is far from being faultless, but allowances be-
ing made for the infancy of the science, and few works upon
this subject will be found to surpass it. From this time,
the knowledge and precepts of dental surgery, assumed the
form of a regular body of science, destined to be enriched
by the researches and contributions of future practitioners,
and to be of immense benefit to mankind. A second edition
of this work was published in 1746. I will continue this
subject a little farther, and mention a few of the many wri-
ters, that have appeared among the French and English,
without, however, presuming to trespass so much upon the
time of the reader, as to fatigue him with the names of all
those who have contributed, directly and indirectly, to the
advancement of our science. The French, who have ever
been celebrated for their attention to the graces and elegance
of their persons, have contributed more to the advance-
ment of this science, especially in the " la pratique," than
any other nation.

* Audibran, page 8—9.