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32 HISTORY OF DENTAL SURGERY

the insertion of a full upper and under artificial denture, and to retain the
same, although the work of Fauchard, published in 1728, clearly entitles the
latter to this distinction.
The position tluit dentistry had assumed early in the eighteenth century
and the progress made in its scientific development are probably best portrayed
in a book entitled "The Frencli Dentist," published in two parts at Paris by
Pierre Fauchard, in 17".?,S, and which was translated into German by Augusts
Buddei, and published at Berlin, in 1733.
This jjook represents what dentistry was in France at the time, and the
preface written by the translator, which is (piite extensive, equally clearly
defines what jjrogress dentistry had then made in Germany. Tiie translator
observed :
"The peculiar greed with which the newly issued surgical literature of
France had for some time been received in Germany especially cx])lains the
assiduous efforts that have lieen made to translate tlie same into our language.
Tlic natural impulse to l)econu> intei'ested in anything that is new is almost
universal, and this nuiy have contributed considerably toward the kindly re-
ception of tliese Frencli writings. Tluis curiosity is not injurious or to be de-
preciated. It is beneficial and slnndd be encouraged in so far as the promotion
of the healing sciences is its ultimate aim. The true worth of a thing never
consists in its appearance, but in that which it contains and in its com-
pleteness. It is equally of value whetlier old or new, or in whatever language
or tongue it is brought to the attention" (market).
''Some are satisfied with anything that is new; otiiers act as though when
anything new is presented by a nation which appears at the time to be in
possession of this or of that science which it has established or exploited, or
in which it has made a particular reputation, that there is no further use for
investigation and they satisfy themselves easily with a favorable prejudice.
"One should be thoroughly conversant with and understand the subject
upon which one is to pronounce an opinion, and should obtain such manner
and measure of light and insight as to warrant a decision ; the more thorougli
the investigation the more reliable must be the conclusion.
"It can be said with truth that this book is the first of its kind, and its
author tlie first who has begun to treat this part of surgical diseases in a sys-
tematic and circumstantial manner. There has been no lack of French sur-
geons \\'lio have presented and described various operations, instruments,
bandages and all other matters belonging to the so-called system or cursu
operationum, nor of such who have treated in extensive detail upon surgical