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HISTORY OF DENTAL SURGEIiY - 237

was removed, sometimes by pledgets of cotton, at others by dried and pre-
pared flax, or strips or pellets of linen or cotton cloth. Afterward (1850)
Dr. J. B. Rich recommended^ the employment of tissue and bibulous paper
for the same purpose. Even at this date, however, it was held by some that
perfect fillings might be nuule in the presence of moisture.
"Dr. Dwinelle, of New York, described in 1850 his method of operating
witli a wa.x cojfer dam built up around the tooth.^ In the year mentioned, also,
appears the tii'st notice of a saliva collector observed.'' In 1854, Dr. R. Arthur
devised a 'saliva pump.' ^ which consisted of a bulbed glass tube terminating
in a hollow rubber air-chamber, from which the air was driven by pressure,
and the saliva drawn into the tube by the return of the expelled air. * * *
The 'latest improvement' in this class of instruments is the 'Fisk ejector,'
designed for use where a tap of swiftly running water is convenient." This
was made upon the same principle as those now in general use wherever there
is a water supply.
"Compressing the orifices of the salivary ducts was early practiced, and
'tongue-holders" were also early in use. That of Dr. Flagg consisted simply
of a spoon-shaped metallic plate at the end of a handle held by the patient.'
A considerable number, of various forms and modes of action were in com-
mon use." (For illustration see "Cosmos" advertisement, July, 1871.)
"In 1856 Dr. Taft introduced tlie hot ;iir bli)\v-pipe in sulistantially the
same form as now used."
"About 1860 punk came to be used in place of cotton, flax, cloth, or paper
pledgets.
"In 1857 Dr. Arthur recommended the use of cross sections of rubber
tubing, to be stretched around the tooth where the cavity extended to or be-
low the margin of the gum. The principle of this, however, is found in the
previous wax coffer-dam of Dwinelle, and in the use of plaster in the same
way."
All these devices, most of which seem now so futile and inadequate, serve
to show the desperate difficulties practitioners of those days had to contend
against.
"In 1864, Dr. 8. C. Barnuiii, of New York, In-ought forward the now uni-
' American Journal of Dental Science, 2nd Series, Vol. I, p. 61.
^ American Journal of Dental Science, 2nil Series, Vol. I, pp. 63, 64.
= Ibid., p. 65.
* Ibid., p. 65.
» Dental News Letter, Vol. VII, p. 192.
" American Journal of Dental Science, 2nd Series, Vol. VI, p. 555.