Page 9 - My FlipBook

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PREFACE.

are already so many text-books that the question might
" "
be asked,
THERE Why another ? My reply gives my excuse for
my intrusion. Without designing to criticise the methods of
other writers, I would yet call attention to the fact that many have
given us works which are largely compilations. These authors have
seemed loath to leave anything unsaid which is pertinent to their
In their efforts to be have
subjects. fully comprehensive they quoted
and cons men of
freely from others, giving pros by equal authority,
till the student who is a beginner is bewildered in his effort to choose.
my only
To avoid this, I decided to describe in book such methods as
I have myself tested, believing that the student will be more benefited
by adopting a single successful mode of practice than by essaying the
various methods of many men.
This has involved a two-fold result. First, and most important, the
becomes
teaching dogmatic.
The has been made that ' '
charge freely writers are not skillful
dentists." This is because theory and practice are so often at vari-
ance. I have endeavored to write a work which would be as
practical
There is not a case described that has not
as words could make it.
occurred in my practice. There is not a method advocated that I
have not tested.
The second result is that I do not give detailed directions for carrying
out methods which I have not attempted. This of course makes the
book incomplete from that standpoint ; but I prefer this to being
quoted as authority for that which I have not myself tested, as too
many have been already. As an example of such omission, it will be
observed that I do not describe methods of using non-cohesive gold
foil. I can only say in defense that I have never used non-cohesive
foil, and let that excuse my not treating of it. I will reiterate, how-
ever, what I say in the body of the book, that I have never seen any
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