On receiving the following poem, as a token of friendship from the author, believing that it possessed no ordinary merit as a production of talent and intellectual research, in addition to much valuable instruction conveyed in a pleasing form, I submitted the manuscript to rigid criticism. It was carefully examined by two gentlemen of this city, who are as distinguished for their fine taste in literature, as they are celebrated as poets and authors. These gentlemen urgently recommended the publication of the poem, on the grounds of its useful tendency, as an essay on a subject of general interest, and as a production honourable to American literature.
It occurred to me that I might make selections from the various authors whose works are in my possession, and append them to the essay, in the form of notes, illustrating and confirming the general doctrine of the poem. If these notes shall afford either rational amusement or useful instruction to any of my friends and fellow citizens, my only object will have been fully attained.
Some years ago I had the honor of laying before the public my views with regard to the profession which I had embraced. Having previously enjoyed the advantage of a friendly intercourse with the most distinguished dentists in Europe, I had gathered from them such instructions as enabled me to adopt a decided course of practice, and my subsequent experience has but confirmed and established me in the opinions which I then presented to the world.
I am not aware that the attempt has ever before been made, to write in English verse, a work inculcating the doctrines of dental science, embracing the diseases of the teeth, together with the means of their prevention and cure. On a subject so unpromising, I think all will agree with me in saying, that the author has succeeded beyond all reasonable expectation, in his design of investing the sober form of scientific truth, in the eloquent and glowing language of poetic fancy; and I cannot for a moment doubt that my professional acquaintaces, to whom I most respectfully dedicate this little volume, will be enabled to gain an adequate knowledge of the general principles and real importance of the dental art, through the lucid medium of this poem, in the most pleasing manner.
Within the last fifty years, very great improvements have been made in the various departments of our art, but that which results in the most enduring and substantial advantage to mankind, and which therefore deserves to be the most highly prized, is the very perfect manner in which the natural teeth are now preserved in a sound and healthy condition, by the skill of the well educated practitioner. The success of a few individuals in this branch of practice, has induced many to assume the name of dentist, who are utterly unqualified to perform in a proper manner the most unimportant and trifling operation upon the teeth. Hence it is that we hear every day of the painful sufferings and lasting injuries which result from the malpractice of incompetent pretenders to dental knowledge. Whole sets of teeth are daily sacrificed at the shrine of stupidity; and the evil will never be arrested, until the good sense of those who have occasion for the intervention of art, shall be more careful in selecting the person to whom they intrust organs so useful, so ornamental, so indispensable to health and comfort, as the teeth. So long as there is no statute to protect the citizen on this subject, his common sense, enlightened by experience, must be his law and his protection.
The operation of supplying artificial teeth, is one which for some years I had relinquished, in consequence of being unable to attend to it, and at the same time, to do justice to what I consider to be the more important, and, therefore, the first object of dental surgery; but having had for more than four years past, the valuable assistance of my kinsman, Mr. Jahial Parmly, whose mechanical tact and ingenuity are not surpassed, I have associated him with me, for the purpose of enabling him to devote his time exclusively to that branch. His success during the last two years demonstrates the great advantage to be derived from this division of labor, by which each department of the profession is practised by distinct individuals. It operates like a similar distribution of labor in the other arts and sciences, ensuring a greater degree of excellence in the results.
The improvements that have been made during the last few years, in the manufacture of mineral teeth, have induced me to make extensive provision for conducting this part of the business, in the hope that still farther improvement may bring this interesting branch of our art to such a state of perfection, as to render them a substitute in most cases, for human and animal teeth, which are subject to speedy decay. Knowing no person whose mechanical skill and scientific acquirements so well qualify him for such an undertaking, I requested my friend, Mr. Brown, to join me in perfecting an art so desirable, and promising so many advantages. From the rapid improvement which he has made in the manufacture and mechanical adaptation of these teeth, as well as from my long acquaintance with his personal character, I am happy in believing that he will add one to the number of those who contribute to the dignity and usefulness of the profession; the benefit, comfort, and convenience of whose labors, will be acknowledged by thousands. If those who are intending to practise as dentists, would qualify themselves in a similar way by going through with a regular course of practical instruction, with an experienced dentist, they would soon elevate a profession to its merited rank, which is now too often degraded by ignorance and presumption.
ELEAZAR PARMLY.
New-York.
October 19th, 1833.