Page 7 - My FlipBook

PREFACE.

THE magnitude of an undertaking like the present work,
which we now herewith humbly submit to one of the fore-
most professions of the world, far exceeded all our anticipations,
although we by no means expected it to be all play. The selec-
tion and compilation of ponderous matter from a voluminous
correspondence and tons of data and statistics, together with the
arduous labor in obtaining information from all parts of the
world, have sometimes appeared beyond our ability. We flat-
ter ourselves, however, that the information herein contained,
although in many instances incomplete, will be found useful to
all dentists who desire to know anything about the inducements,
advantages and disadvantages offered in other fields, and the
social and official standing of the profession in foreign lands.
The encouragement w e have enjoyed from the profession gen-
T
erally, and for which we desire to express our heartfelt gratitude
to one and all, has spurred us on to renewed efforts, and we sin-
cerely hope that the result will not be too severely criticised,
being a first attempt, and hence naturally not so complete as may
be desired. For most of the information herein contained we
are under obligations to the diplomatic and consular service of
the United States and learned savants abroad, foremost among

members of the dental and medical professions.
There are still vast territories into which the profession has
not yet penetrated. But we are progressing steadily, uninter-
ruptedly, and every year opens up new and wider fields. Here
the pioneers of our profession find themselves confronted with
all those tribulations which are sure to beset pioneers in other
walks of life; but once they gain a foothold, they soon adapt
themselves to circumstances, and eventually harvest the reward
of their labors.
We had hoped to have the matter ready for the press much
sooner, but the gathering of most of the necessary information
required considerable time and correspondence. While we do
not deem it necessary to apologize for the work, its necessity and
in