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340 THIRD PERIOD—MODERN TIMES
The goal was now reached, and Bunon, on the strength of such
illustrious patronage, published his book in March of 1743, under the
title. Essay on the maladies of the teeth, wherein are suggested the means
of obtaining their good conformation from the earliest age, and of assuring
their preservation during the whole course of life}
All the principal journals of the time {Journal des Savants, Journal
de Trevoux, Journal de Verdun, Mercure de France, etc.) published
extracts from the book and eulogized the author, who had even the high
satisfaction of receiving an honorable mention from the Royal Academy
of Surgerv, in the public sitting held in 1743.
Bunon, therefore, was now famous, and had, besides, gained wealthy
clients, as we see from the perusal of his observations, where the best
names in France are to be met with, put in evidence by him without the
least thought of professional secrecy. He could now enjoy his well-
merited successes, in accordance with the thought expressed by him in
one of his books: "All those who labor for the progress of an art have
legitimate right to the honor and to all the recompenses to which success
is entitled."^
The study of Bunon's work proves, in fact, that he had good right to be
proud of having written it. The mere perusal of it, however, does not
suffice to enable the reader to judge of its merits, for to do this properly,
it is necessary to studv at the same time his other book, published in
1746, entitled Experiences and demonstrations made at the Hospital of
Salpetriere and at St. Come, before the Royal Academy of Surgery, servmg
as continuation and proof to the Essay on the maladies of the teethe The
essay is, in fact, a small 12 mo book of 212 pages, written in a concise
style, and, strange to say, most concise in the most important points.
Many facts of great moment are given under the form of rapid indica-
tions, or of assertions without proof; thus their importance is apt to pass
completely unobserved by those who do not take the trouble of studying
this work thoroughly and with the help of the explanations, illustrations,
and comments contained in the second book we have referred to.
M. A. Barden, of the l^xole Odontotechnique of Paris, was the first
to undertake a serious and conscientious stud\' of Bunon's works. By
so doing he has thrown full light on the author's great merits, and
brought forward the high scientific importance of his works.

' Essai sur Ics maladies des dents, ou Ton propose les moyens de leur procurer une bonne
conformation des la plus tendre enfance, et d'en assurer la conservation pendant tout le
cour de la vie.
• Kxperiences et demonstrations, avertissement, p. xix.
•' Experiences
et demonstrations faites a I'Hopital de la Salpteriere et a St. Come, en
presence de I'Acadcmie Royale de Chirurgie, pour scrvir de suite et de prcuves a I'Essai sur
les maladies des dents.