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phlet published before this date, a pamphlet which we have
already cited, speaks of platina too, as serving for the union
of sets of teeth ; and likewise, in discoveries, the invention
belongs always to him who makes it public. M. Dubois Fou-
cou is considered, without doubt, as having been the first who
used platina for this incorruptible work.
For my part, I remember long before 1808, having seen
artificial teeth lined with this metal, belonging to a lady, a
friend of the widow Bourdet, and I am certain they wre
never made by Mi Fonzi, who at that time did not exercise
his art in the capital.
Whoever was the first practitioner who first used it, it is
certain, that platina is of great utility for dental purposes,
because it always preserves its natural colour ; the salivary
mucus scarcely changes it, and when by chance it becomes
tarnished, the least cleaning is sufficient to restore it to its
natural colour. See the manner of polishing, Section V. par-
agraph 10.*
The platina filings, incorporated in the clay used for ma-
king incorruptible teeth, gives to it this hard consistence, so
necessary for the purposes for which it is intended it permits
;
the teeth to be heated to the highest degree of heat, and pre-
vents their cracking ; it contributes to diminish the effects of
loss during the baking, and it prevents the warping of a set of
teeth.
Its grayish colour does not darken the other colouring
principles, with which it combines very well ; its utility is
well demonstrated ; the teeth into which it does not enter

* Dentists make use of platina in plates of different thickness, in thread
and in fine filings.
1VJ. Janety's son, Colombier-street, No. 11, at Paris, prepares it in any way
we desire it.
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