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en it the preference for incorruptible teeth, by permitting us
to introduce into their interior, the minute portions, whether
thread like*, or screw-like, without the heat, to which the
teeth are submitting in baking ever altering it.*
No other metal, with the exception of fine gold, can be
substituted for it, for here it incorporates itself into the por-
celain tooth very soon to such a depth, so that the platina
will resist the degree of heat which is required for the baking
of porcelain.
Although it is difficult to fuse, this metal is remarkable for
its great ductility ; for when it is well prepared* it equals that
of fine gold. The only inconvenience which it has, if it has
any, it is in being heavier than gold ; but this difference is not
sufficient to make it preferable for artificial work ; mean-
while, no other would suit for the mountings of incorruptible
teeth*
Fine gold unites very well with platina, makes a well com-
bined solder ; but standard gold must be used.
The dentist is mistaken who supposes that platina is first
used in the dental process. From whence arose the contro-
versy upon the nature of incorruptible teeth in 1808, between
two practitioners pretending each to have had the idea ? M.
Fonzi assures us, in a prospectus, it was he who first intro-
duced it in making porcelain teeth ; which M. Dubois Fou-
cou w as no sooner apprized of, than he assured us, that he
r
was the first among the dentists whose name was inserted in
the register of M. Janety, who prepared it at Paris.
This assertion of M. Fonzi is by no means convincing, nor
is it sufficient to secure to this dentist the merit of a proceed-
ing that well belongs to M. Dubois Foucou, who, in a pam-

* There are certain oxides which combine with platina, which chaDge
1 have frequently proved it in my essays.
aiid make it brittle ;