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IIISTUIJY OF DENTAL SUKGEKY 59


ficial palate or obturator, the entire piece being carved out of ivory. His
various machines of this kind are described in very extensive detail, as is
also tlieir construction. Some of the tools and instruments used are re-
jiroduccd in coiincttinu with this chapter.



GARENCEOT FAUCHAKD 'S CRITICISM.
Near the end of the second part of this book Fauchard says tliat ''it was
practically ready for publication in 1723, but owing to the demands of a busy
practice he has been delayed from letting it see the light of day until now,"
and lie refers to a surgical treatise ]:)ublished about that time by (Jarkngeot,
entitled "New Treatise Upon Surgical Instruments" (which was translated
into tJerman by I. A. Mischel under the title, ''Treatise of Most Needful and
Useful Instruments of Surgery," and published in Berlin in 1729).
Fauchard says he read this book, being particularly attracted by the
chapter on the teeth, and says: "The experience of many years and the
time that I liave devoted to this part of surgery, have induced me to con-
trovert the positions taken liy this author and given me the authority to
undertake this." Garengeot states that '"the tartnr does to tlie teeth what
rust does to iron—destroys their outer surface, and makes the teeth loose."
He recommends that when teeth are covered by tartar that it must be re-
moved. In order to do so it should be first split with a chisel, which exposes
a beautiful winte tooth. He observes that tartar separates very easily after
it has lieen split and likens the relations of tartar to teeth to tliat of "peach
and its kernel." Fauchard contends that tartar does not enter into the sur-
face of the enamel and that it may be removed without injury. "But it
does not come oft ns easily as the peach from the kernel," he says, 'but, on
the tiiiitvary, particles frequently adhei-e so persistently to the surface of
the tooth that they can only be removed witli a great deal of persistency
and sometimes in very small particles."
Fauchard proceeds further, saying that several kinds of teeth-rasps or
picks recommended by Garengeot are neither suitable nor sufficient, and
that it is not possilile, as claimed by that author, that this entire operation
can he performed l)y one instrument, no matter how perfect that may be,
and "the cliisel, of all instruments, is tlie least adapted for this purpose."
Garengeot further says:
"Young surgeons know, if they intend to undertake this kind of opera-
tion, that tliev ought not to do like most of the tooth breakers. These, in
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