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HISTORY OF DENTAL SURGERY 271

half-round groove, in each side of which were inserted small pieces of platinum.
This groove was for the introduction of a round gold wire against which the
platinum points were hammered, and solder flowed on the metals, thus secur-
ing the wire to the tooth.
"Charles W. Peale (who painted a portrait of Washington) was the next
after Plantou to manufacture mineral teeth in the United States. His first
teeth, about 1832, were made with holes through them for riveting to the plates,
as he liad been accustomed to do with teeth of animal substances, but these prov-
ing inefBcient he placed platinum wire in the composition before firing it.
"A metal backing could be attached to this tooth by the platinum pins
being riveted and soldered to the hacking, and then the backing could be sol-
dered to the plate."
S. W. Stockton began his experiments in 1895, and was the first in this
country whose manufacture of porcelain teeth attained to any commercial
importance, about 1830. His stock was kept in bottles. The modern method
of fixing on cards of wax was first suggested by Dr. Corydon Palmer, of War-
ren, Ohio.
Among those who made teeth for their own use were Drs. Mcllhenney
(1856): Ambler and Spooner (1828); Flagg (1830): S. Spooner (1831)";
Harwood and Tucker (1833) ; Alcock and Allen (1835) : and Wildnian, who
began his experiments in 1837. He made painstaking investigations and
achieved notable results. "His work was so important and far-reaching that
he has been accorded the honor of having been first to place the manufacture
of porcelain teeth on a scientific basis."
In 1844 S. S. White began to manufacture teeth in Philadelphia, and the
S. S. White Dental Manufacturing Company has been for years the largest
firm of the kind in the world.
In 1834 about 250,000 teeth were manufactured annually in the United
States; in 1854 about 2,000,000, and in 10,000 different forms. About 1854
the manufacturers began making teeth in moulds. In 1876 White made 4,000,-
000. In 1900 about 12,000,000 were made by all factories; in 1903 about 14,-
000,000 by all factories. In 1907 White made 12,000,000, and all others made
8,000,000.
The present degree of perfection has been attained only by years of labor.
In producing teeth of good form, color, and life-like appearance the manu-
facturers have been very successful. The improvements showing transpar-
ency, granular appearance and flesh-like tint to the gums, and unlimited
shades and esthetic effect are largely due to Dr. Elias Wildman.
"Tlie modern prosthetist should be a 'facial sculptor,' and consider the