Page 356 - My FlipBook

340 world's history and

"I have to say first of all that I am a native of the State of Maryland, hav-
ing been born in the city of Baltimore, U. S. A. I came to Liberia with my
parents when only three years of age, was reared here and received my edu-
cation in the Mission School of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1864 I
went to the United States and entered the dental office of Dr. C. S. Hurlbut,
at Springfield, Mass., as a student of dentistry, being the first black man
admitted in a dental office as a student. After remaining with the Doctor five
years I returned to Liberia, and practiced about two years, returned again to
the United States of America, opened an office in Baltimore, and practiced
there about eleven years. In 1881 I returned to Liberia, where I am now
practicing.
"This being a new country, and the inhabitants not having had the advan-
tage of early training in the sciences, they are rather slow in appreciating the
great benefits to be derived from giving special attention to their teeth. Yet
there are very many here who have very poor teeth, and some without any at
all, and were they better informed than they are, I would have a great deal
more practice.
"As regards laws, regulating the practice of dentistry and examinations,
there are neither in existence. In fact, there is no one here capable to exam-
ine any one in the principles and practice of dentistry.
"I must admit that I am not a graduate of any dental college—being a
black man I was not allowed the rights and privileges of the dental college.
I have, however, made the best use of the advantages I had, and have been
engaged in the practice of dentistry for the period of twenty-nine years, gain-
ing all the information I could from the pen of those most prominent in dental
literature. Two American dental journals come to me regularly, oy which
means I am enabled to keep pace with the progress made in the profession.
"Your letter is opportune, and I congratulate you for what you have done
in that direction, and I am glad to notice the change of sentiment in the
United States respecting the educational advantages of the people of my race
by the more intelligent portion of your race.
"Trusting this will meet the end sought by you, I remain, dear sir,
"One of the dental profession,
"Philip T. Gross."

MADAGASCAR.

(kingdom.)

Area, 228,500 square miles. Population, 3,500,000.
Capital, Antananarivo; population, 100,000.

In regard to the practice of medicine and the opportunities
for medical education, Madagascar is far away from the front

rank. It was not until 1863 that this country was opened to
Europeans, and the Missions, but if one considers the short