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252 world's history and

audacity and manual dexterity; that, consequently, the law of
Ventose, XL, is not applicable to the dentists."
This latter decree seems to have definitely settled this ques-
tion, as, since June 26, 1846, it has not been brought before the
courts, and since that time the dentists have exercised their art
without any judicial contestations from the physician-dentists.
In consequence of this jurisprudence, there was only one way
for the Medical Faculty to obtain the regulations for the exer-
cise of the dental profession—through a special law. In 1847, the
Government, in the Chamber of Peers, introduced a bill project-
ing regulations. It was passed, but before it Was discussed and
voted upon in the Lower Chamber, the Revolution came. The
following legislation did not take up the project, and there was
nothing done in regard to this subject for more than thirty years.
It is not until 1880 that another bill, on the initiative of the
Government, was introduced in the Chambers. Three years
later another project, emanated from parliamentary initiative,
was also introduced. These two projects were made one. Their
aim was to revise the law of Ventose, XL, as far as the practice
of medicine was concerned, but there were also included some
provisions relating to the dentists. Several Legislatures ad-
journed, without this question being discussed in the Chambers.
It never got further than into some legislative committees. In
1887 a report was made, but the provisions regarding dentists
had been abandoned. Again, in 1889, the integral project was
taken up in the Chamber of Deputies. In 1890 it went to the
Senate, and November 30, 1892, the present dental law was
passed.
This law contains regulations for examinations and conditions
for the practice of medicine, dentistry and midwifery. We relate
below the most important articles concerning the practice of
dentistry.
Section 2 reads: No one can exercise the profession of dent-
istry who is not provided with a diploma of a doctor of medi-
cine, or that of a dental surgeon. The diploma of a dental sur-
geon will be issued by the French Government to those who have
pursued a course of studies provided for in accordance with the
regulations of the Superior Council of Public Instruction, after
examination before a superior State medical institution.
Sec. 5. Physicians, dentists and midwives who have obtained
their diplomas in foreign lands, whatever their nationality may