Page 20 - My FlipBook

some temporary thing, of course, often simply to look to
some particular thing; they are patients of some other
operator and will say so. In that case you will attend to that
particular thing and refer them back to their own operator
for anything further. But when a patient comes to you and
the supposition is that he puts himself under your care, you
should begin at once the scrutiny of that person, as to hi.">
temperament, the condition of his general health, and es-
pecially as to the capability of that person to bear with opera-
tive procedures. That should be the habit of every dentist,,
as it becomes the habit of every physician who visits a pa-
tient, to study that person, his temperament, his nervous

system, etc. Some patients will begin to flinch before you
approach them, you will see that they will be in dread of
operations. Another one will come and sit down in the chair
and go to sleep. By careful scrutiny you will recognize these
differences in patients and will be prepared to approach them
properly. Then by a few well-directed questions, which will
simply manifest your interest in the person, you will inquire
after his general health, after his health at this particular
time, how he is feeling, etc., which the patient will never
suppose is anything more than a friendly interest, and yet
with you it is an examination. Then the patient takes the
chair. See that the chair is adjusted comfortably to the per-
son. It is well to take the wrist and just for a moment
study the pulse. This should be a constant habit, and I com-
mend you to a careful study of the pulse for indications that
the pulse will give you of the present condition of your pa-
tient, both before and after operations. I know that in a
dental school we haven't the opportunity for that careful
study of the pulse that we would have in a hospital practice

or that the physician has, and yet, by careful work, making it
a habit to study the pulse under different conditions, you will
soon be able to find in it much of interest and much of valu-
able information. I cannot this morning give you a lecture
on the pulse ; I can only advise you to study it carefully at
every opportunity, and make it your habit to let your finger
fall upon the wrist of your patient for a moment and take note
of the pulse ; see whether it is a full, round pulse or a small^
shot-like pulse ; and let me say if you find that small pulse,
that passes under your finger like a shot, be careful what you