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188 HISTORY OF DENTAL SURGERY

In the "Cosmos,"' 1886, (Vol. XXVIII, p. 471-8) in a paper on the ''Lining
of Cavities," Dr. A. B. Harrower of Philadelphia, goes to the e.xtreme of
advising the lining with varnish of all cavities before filling (if they can be
kept perfectly dry), except in cases where some therapeutic effect is desired
from the filling material. The varnish should be thin, if sandarac, al)oul
three grains to a dram of alcohol, preferably absolute alcohol, or preferalily a
mixture of sandarac and dammar varnishes. It should dry at least five minutes
for an amalgam filling or ten minutes for gold. He also advises lining, for
special purposes, with oxychloride of zinc, oxyphosphate of zinc, and gutta-
percha, but gives emphatic warning of the danger to pulps from the
phosphates. He says: "There is one quality which seems from expe-
rience to be justly attributable to the phosphates, and to which the oxy-
chloride cannot lay claim; namely, the ability to silently and stealth-
ily devitalize the dental pulp. This dangerous property should always
be borne in mind, and when they are used in deep cavities the pulp siiould bf
carefully protected. Even in shallow cavities a lining of varnish should pre-
cede the introduction of any material containing phosphoric acid." The gen-
eral experience of the profession since then does not justify this extreme fear
of the effect of phosphate fillings upon pulps, except in deep cavities.
Dr. George S. Allan, of New York, read a paper before the First District
Dental Society of New York entitled "Theory and Practice in Treatment of
Proximate Surfaces," Cosmos," 1890, (Vol. XXXII, p. 25.5-273, and 368-
387), in which, while admitting the theoretical correctness and advantage of
the restoration of the natural forms of teeth ("contour fillings") he sought
to show the limitations, exceptions and objections to the practice, and con-
veyed the general impression that the restoration of the natural forms of
teeth should be very much restricted as compared with the almost universal
opinions expressed by the writers of the time. He says: "No student depending
on our literature only for a guide would for a moment hesitate as to tlie
course he should pursue or have any doubt as to the manner in wiruh the
highest success was attainable." (Meaning that the current literature was all
in favor of the restoration of contours.) He goes on to say, "In looking around
he would be greatly puzzled at discovering, almost at the start, that the
system which no writer defended was strongly intrenched and was protected
by the great body of the profession, was in good fellowship with them, was
their friend and companion in many a hard day's practice, and that they
were not at all disposed to part company with it or to listen patiently when it