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342 HISTOIJY OF DENTAL SUKGEHV

Recorder." With tlic advent of the new editor the "Recorder" loses much
of itg scientific tone, and is concerned more with the routine of dental prac-
tice. Its articles are varied, and it numbered among its contributors many
whose names are closely associated with the best in the profession. It is in-
teresting to look over its pages and note among mucli that is passed, much
that is current more than half a century later, or has been but recen,tly re-
tired. In volume four, June, 1850, page 324, we find a lengthy article on
"copper amalgam," giving instructions on its preparation, etc., that would
have been read with interest some twenty years ago when that preparation
was "all the go." In volume five, September, 1851, page 250, Dr. Asa Hill,
then of Norwalk, ("onn., has a long communication upon gutta-percha for
tooth filling, which he introduced some three years before, and which has
since become indispensible in dental practice.
Beginning with the sixth volume. Dr. Hill became coeditor of the "Re-
corder," and with the eighth volume its publisher and editor. We presume
it was not a profitable venture; in nearly every number for some years prior
to this change the editor has complained bitterly of an increasing delin-
quent list, some years not one-half of its subscribers having jiaid their sub-
scription. This has been the universal experience of all who have attempted
the publication of a professional journal as a separate and distinct business
venture. It was the same with the "American Jovirnal of Dental Science"
and the "Dental Register," and the reason why so many promising dental
journals so quickly reached their last number. In order to increase their
circulation, copies were sent to all whose addresses were known : when tlic~e
were not returned it was presumed by the publishers tliat a new subscriber
had been obtained. On presentation of a bill some months later, an angry
reply was quite as fre(|uent as a bankaljle enclosure. Many had the aiuliition,
talent, means, and o])poi'tunity to make a useful and creditable publication,
))ut all lacked the requisites to find for it a proiitablo market, without which
long continued success is an inqiossibility. This latter requires a business
training, and a business connection seldom found outside of an established
well ordered business. Tluis it was that these early dental journals either
died young, or were taken in charge as part of the machinery of a Ijusiness
establisiiment. 1'he "Dental Kecordei'," before the close of its eightii volume,
became the property of Sutton and Raynor, dental dealers, 009 Broadway,
Xew York. Beginning with vohnne nine, Dr. Charles Wiley Ballard l)e-
camc the editor.
The folJDwing uotice \\a- |iulilish(M| uitli the number for December, 1856: