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170 HISTORY OF DENTAL SUECxEEY ;

as to almost precliTcle its use in the upper Jaw. * * * g^^|- ||-^g patentee
quickly improved liis process; and soon produced an article which was open
to few objections.
"One of the greatest advantages claimed for crystal gold in its various
forms was its capability of being packed in moisture or in the presence of
almost any extraneous substance. It was said to have been tested by working
it in water, sali\a, and even flour, without destroying its cohesive properties
in the least, or jircAcnting its formation into a solid plug while in these media.'
But experience in other liands seems to have required for it even more than
ordinary care, as well in securing absence of moisture as in packing the cavity
in such a manner as to prevent having the ])lug porous. It is probable that
success in its use is more dependent on the skill and exjjerience of the ojjerator
than in the case of ordinary foil."
These last statements much more nearly represent the truth, from that
time to the present, than any of the extravagant claims often made by manu-
facturers and users of all tlie various forms of crystal, sponge, and fiber gold.
"In the spring of 18.5.5, Dr. Robert Arthur, of Baltimore, advised the
"
profession of a new method of preparing gold foil."
This consisted in thoroughly annealing the foil over a spirit lamp before
use; thereby developing its adhesive or cohesive property.'
"Immediately upon the publication of this process by Dr. Arthur, it was
declared by numerous members of the profession that in it nothing new had
been told them ; that gold foil had been long used in this way. Indeed Dr. A.
Westcott claimed to liave accidently discovered in 1840, and to liave made use
since then, of this property of gold.'' It will now be admitted that such was
\ery proliably the case. The fact is, that the greatest difficulty encountered
by manufacturers in the preparation of foil was this very sticl-iness, as they
called it. Their constant endeavor was to prevent issuing such gold to the
profession; but it often got out despite their care. It is, therefore, probable
tliat sticky foil was often used before Dr. Arthur puljlished his method
though it is also probable that most of those who had used it were unaware
of its value or sjiecial character, and, in many cases, supposed thej^ were
employing an inferior and undesiralile article.

^ Dental Cosmos, Vol. X, p. 136.
= Dental News Letter, Vol. VIII, p. 129.
" The term adhesive was at first most aommonly useil, but the word cohesive soon
became the one exclusively employed.
* Dental Cosmos, Vol. XII, p. 57.