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148 HISTORY OF DENTAL SUKGERY

whom we liave met in Washington tliat tlie dental corps will he most cordially
welcomed wherever it may l)e sent, for there is dire need of its services, and
this is particularly true in Cuba, Porto Kico and the Philippines. We are
also encouraged by these gentlemen to believe that it is only a question of
time wlien the corps will be made permanent by giving its members commis-
sions. It will lie necessary, however, before commissions can be obtained to first
prove two things, namely :
Is the corps necessary to the health and efficiency of the army?
Does it pay in dollars and cents?
These will lie the questions that must be answered to the satisfaction of
congress before any more legislation along this line can be expected.
This corps has been given a chance to prove itself beneficent in an entirely
new and imtried field, with no precedents to guide, or experience to warn
the members of the dangers in their pathway, or the obstacles to be overcome.
But we believe that the dental corps of the army has proved et|ual to the oc-
casion and brought honor ujion the profession to which the members belong.

SUGGESTION.? UPON TUE EDUC.\TIOX.\L REQUIREMENTS FOR MILIT.A.RY DENTAL PR.\CTICE.

The army dental surgeon, by reason of his military surroundings and
associations, and the isolated position in which he will find himself profes-
sionally, will need to be broadly educated, and so expert in his calling that he
will be capable of managing any case that may be presented to him for treat-
ment.
In fairness to the board it should be said tliat tlie questions which have
been submitted to the candidates have all been of an eminently practical na-
ture, and so selected and presented as to test tlieir general knowledge of each
subject and their ability to apply this knowledge in a practical manner.
A less rigid and searching examination than this the board felt ought not
to be expected: in fact, the dignity and honor of our specialty, and the future
high standing and efficiency of the army dental corps, demanded that the
examinations be as rigid and as thorough as the courses of instruction in our
best dental colleges would make practicable. The members of the dental
corps will naturally be compared in general education and professional attain-
ments with their brethren of the medical corps, and it is to be hoped that in
the comparison those of the same age and experience will make a favorable
showing.