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CONTOUR vs. FLAT FILLINGS.
83
be made to produce good results. As to shape, a few varieties are
convenient, but I may mention that when I first took the Bonwill I
received only one
point with it. I used that one point for a year, and
though I nave bought a few others since, so as not to appear stingy, I
rely upon that same point now almost to the exclusion of all others. It
is practically universal as a mallet-plugger. The young dentist should
endeavor to get along with as few instruments as possible, rather than
with many. With a few instruments the workman is the master ;
with many he is the slave, for he is powerless as soon as one is mis-
laid.

CHAPTER IV.

THE RELATIVE VALUES OF CONTOUR, AND FLAT OR FLUSH FILLINGS
THE V-SHAPED SPACE IN ITS RELATION TO THE GINGIVA THE RE-
STORATION OF SUPERIOR LATERAL INCISORS SLIGHT CONTOURS REG-
ULATION OF TEETH BY CONTOUR FILLINGS DEPARTURE FROM ORIGINAL
FORM TRUE CONTOURING TREATMENT OF MASTICATING SURFACES
CONTOURING WITH GOLD WITH AMALGAM WITH THE PLASTICS IN
CONNECTION WITH GOLD PLATE USE OF SCREWS CASES FROM PRAC-
TICE REQUIRING ODD METHODS.

To imitate nature should be the aim of every true artist. Yet the
landscape-painter, who contents himself with copying what he sees
spread out before his view, would frequently produce a picture which
lacked In the skilled workman is he who has
composition. dentistry
the eye to see contour, the trained fingers to reproduce it, and the
judgment to decide when and where it should not be attempted.
The reproduction of the original form of a tooth, which has been
partly destroyed by caries, must be undertaken in over ninety per
cent, of the cases This and being one
presenting. being my opinion,
contrary to the teaching and the practice of some men of eminence, I
shall state some of the reasons for my conviction.
It will scarcely be disputed that the whole scheme of the universe
is a perfect plan. No improvement upon it is possible. The con-
struction of every creature is accurately adapted to his intended mode
of life. Yet it has been claimed by some that the formation and
structure of the teeth of man are less perfect than those of the lower
animals, since man is the only animal who constantly suffers from
caries. This disease has been found in other animals, but it cannot
be said of any other species that we can take any individual at ran-
dom, and be almost sure to discover the ravages of caries, as we do in
man. Consequently we must admit that the human race is more suscep-
tible to it. That this is due to the formation of the teeth themselves,