Page 125 - My FlipBook

HISTORY OF DENTAL SURGERY 95

dentist by tlie name of Le llaire. He offered his i?ervices to tlie public during
tlie Revolutionary War. * * * He was not without some pretensions to
skill in the practical operations, especially in transplanting teeth. * * *
He likewise undertook to instruct some two or three persons in the profession,
which may be considered as the origin of dentistry in this country. Dr.
James Gardette mentions Le Maire (Lemayeur) as one who had the reputa-
tion of an eminent dentist in Philadelphia when he arrived in that city in
June, i;84."'
One Whitelock also is mentioned as eminent as a dentist by Dr. Hayden
and as a "gentlenum of polite address and accomplished manners," who
entered this country about the same time as Le Maire as a member of a
company of theatrical performers who were induced to come here through
the rage for theatrical performers" which was then prevalent.
Dr. W. H. Truenian wrote of these men some years ago:
"When Gardette resolved to enter the navy, as part of his profession as
a naval surgeon he received instruction in dentistry from M. Le Roy de la
Faudiniere, a distinguished dentist of Paris, and provided himself with
dental text-books and instruments. This was required of naval surgeons in
the French service in 1777. We have no reason to think that he contem-
plated the practice of dentistry when he left France other than as part of
his work as a naval surgeon. He soon acquired a distaste for the sea, and
resigned his position. During the winter of 1781-82, the war then being
virtually over, the French and American armies were in winter quarters side
by side near Pi-ovidence, R. I. In that camp, relieved of the tension asso-
ciated with active service, and e.xpecting soon to resume civil life, we find, in
intimate friendship, Joseph Le Maire, James Gardette and Josiah Flagg.
Le Maire had, now and again, to the great comfort and satisfaction of his
companions, performed dental operations for their relief, and now many of
the otficers and others took advantage of the opportunity to secure his serv-
ices. Josiah Flagg had been greatly interested in Le Maire's work, and
proved an apt and zealous student. Gardette also embraced the opportunity
of adding to his dental knowledge already gained.
"It needs but little stretch of the imagination to locate the first school
for dental instruction in the United States, and the first dental meeting for
mutual improvement, around this revolutionary camp-fire. We may safely
say that scientific dental surgery in the United States owes much of that
which has been given it its well merited reputation to the good work there
done in 1781-83.