Chapter VII: Conclusion

Having appended to the poem such notes as my leisure for several months past has enabled me to select, I feel it necessary to remark, that although on many of the subjects discussed, the notes are not so full nor so illustrative as I could have wished, yet they are the best that my limited opportunity would permit me to select. A very laborious profession, in connexion with other duties, has completely engrossed that time which I would have gladly devoted to this object, and at some future day I hope to be enabled to do greater justice to a subject that demands the attentive consideration of every individual. The most useful advice with which I can conclude these remarks is, to urge on every individual the necessity of aiming at the prevention of disease altogether, which can in a great measure be effected without engrossing more time than its importance merits.

This is a subject which demands the attention of parents, and those who are entrusted with the care of children. It should be the first object of every person so situated, to habituate children to clean their teeth, at least twice a day, and when this practice has been once adopted, it will be continued as a matter of course. Besides this, from the age of six to twelve years in particular, a dentist should be consulted three or four times a year, and at a later period, once or twice for the purpose of examining the teeth, and counteracting, by the timely removal of such causes as may produce disease, any mischief which is likely to take place.

In London and Paris, and I believe in all the larger cities of Europe, the principal academies and boarding schools are regularly attended by dentists, for the purpose of having the children’s teeth examined, and of performing such operations as they may require when necessary. I should be glad to see this plan more universally adopted in our large cities, for I am convinced the advantages arising from it are incalculable; for if proper care and attention be not paid during the time teeth are shedding, a countenance, however naturally beautiful, may, in consequence, be totally disfigured; and it frequently happens, that an unpleasing countenance, although united to an amiable mind, produces a dislike that is not easily overcome.--“It is, therefore, (says Mr. Murphy), a duty incumbent on parents, and those who have the care and education of youth, while they do justice to their minds, not to overlook their personal advantages.”

“No face, however pleasing and prepossessing, can ever be complete in its attraction, where the mouth is disfigured. However worthy of admiration by natural symmetry, a still and silent countenance may be, we at once lose the grateful impression when a disclosure of bad teeth is made by the influence of any excitement.--The circumstance either attaches disgrace to the individual, for present want of cleanliness, or to its parents or nurse, for past neglect. Even the laugh, the test of good humor and openness, which invites to cordiality and confidence, fails to produce a reciprocal effect when we are disgusted by a foul mouth.” (_L. S. Parmly’s Lectures_, p. 44.)

I have thus adduced several arguments, in order to impress upon the minds of my readers the importance of my subject, as far as it relates to an early and attentive care in the management of the teeth. No fact that I have brought forward can be considered in the slightest degree exaggerated, for it will be supported by the feelings of every individual that reflects upon it. If, from what has been said, the subject shall meet due weight, I shall have performed a duty highly pleasing to myself, from a consciousness of having pointed out the right way, which, if practised, will not only add to happiness and comfort, by a freedom from pain and other inconveniences, but also to the improvement of personal appearance at every age of life.

The commencement of disease is too generally looked upon as a matter of little importance; and thus, but few persons take any notice of its progress, until the agonizing pain of tooth-ache forces it upon their consideration; and when the disease has been permitted to extend itself so far, it seldom happens that it can be effectually remedied by any other means than extraction; but as it is not always in the power of every individual to have recourse to a dentist on the first attack of tooth-ache, the patient may possibly obtain a temporary relief by applying to the diseased tooth a strong solution of camphor in spirits of wine, which if it prove not altogether successful, has at least the advantage of safety, and this is much more than can be said of most of the celebrated remedies. Every extreme of heat and cold should be avoided, as both are equally liable to cause pain in the teeth. Attention to cleanliness of the teeth in early life cannot sufficiently be insisted on, since it is evident that most of their diseases arise from extraneous matter being suffered to remain upon them; and no time, therefore, should be lost, in removing whatever has accumulated as soon as it is discovered.

The brush and powders, which are the common means had recourse to, will never more than half perform this office, as they act only on the outer parts, and thus leave the interstices entirely untouched. Some tinctures may for a time give a whiteness to the enamel, but they are certain ultimately to injure its texture, and render it more liable to decay. In short, it may be concluded, that in proportion as any dentifrice, paste, or lotion, whitens the enamel, its structure is injured or destroyed. The only means necessary to preserve its color is to remove whatever may collect around the teeth, and thus allow them to possess their natural whiteness and polish.--The best method to effect this is with a brush and water; should this prove insufficient, powders composed of Armenian bole, prepared chalk, Peruvian bark, or charcoal, may be used with very great advantage. But, even when the teeth have been thus cleaned, the insterstices are not cleared. This may be effected by passing between the teeth a thread of waxed silk, thereby to dislodge whatever may have collected on their sides.

The means which have been pointed out for the prevention of disease will be found of much greater advantage to society at large than all that has been said respecting the treatment. And I cannot too strongly urge the importance of this particular object.

LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS.

The republication of the foregoing Poem and Notes, as a part of several successive numbers of the American Journal of Dental Science, for the years 1840-41, was sustained by the following catalogue of subscribers:--

Ayers Daniel, Amsterdam, Mont. County, N. Y. 1
Allen Richard L., Sara. Springs, 1
Alcock James, N. Y. 2
Austin George, Baltimore, 1
Austin Nathan’l, Harrisonburg, Va. 2
Ash Claudius, London, 2
Azling Isaac, M. D., Boston, 1
Auten F. P., Lambertville, N. J. 1
Atkinson John, Leeds, Eng. 1
Arthur Robert, Baltimore, 1
Andrews E. H., Charlotte C. H., N. Carolina, 1
Ash G. E., London, 1
Arnold Wm., M. D., N. York, 1
Avery Samuel, N. Orleans, 1
Brewster, C. S. Paris, France, 1
Burdell John, N. Y. 20
Bridges M. K. Brooklyn, 20
Baker Elisha, N. Y. 20
Brown A. W., N. Y. 20
Bryan Elijah, N. Y. 1
Blake Elihu, N. Y. 1
Bancroft T. L., Granville, Ohio, 1
Brown B. B. St. Louis, Mo. 2
Backus G. Nashville, Tenn. 1
Briscoe A. W., Baltimore, 1
Barstow Wm. H., M. D., Georgetown, Ky. 1
Buchan David L. Hempstead, Md. 1
Bidgood Richd. W. Smith, Va. 1
Badger Felix H. Decatur, Ga. 1
Brown Solyman, N. Y. 5
Becht A. J. Hague, Netherlands, 1
Bareud J. Dent, George-st., Manchester, 1
Barend Sam’l. Liverpool, Eng. 1
Bradford D. Augusta, Ky. 1
Bell Thomas, London, 1
Ballanger D. W. Montgomery, Ala. 2
Brockway Josephus, Troy, 2
Blanding S., M. D., Columbia, S. C. 1
Baldwin James Oscar, Newark, N. J. 1
Brown Chas. D., Philadelphia, 1
Burdell Harvey, M. D., N. York, 2
Bliss S., M. D., Syracuse, N. York, 1
Buck J. B., N. York, 1
Briscoe Jas H, Philadelphia, 1
Boyken F M, Smithfield Va 1
Burr Hudson, Philadelphia, 1
Ballard Geo. W, Madison, Morgan Co, Georgia, 1
Bull Abel, M D, Boston, 1
Bemis S A, Boston, 1
Budd John D, Mount Holly, N J, 1
Burr Wm H, Mount Holly, N J, 1
Cook Doctor, Brooklyn, 1
Clute Nicholas, Louisville, Ky. 2
Chandler James, Schenec. N. Y. 1
Cobb B. C., M. D., Clarkstore, Martins Co., N. C. 1
Cox A. L., M. D., New York, 1
Cleveland, J. A., Charleston, S. C. 1
Crocker Fred’k, Sagharbour, L. I. 1
Clark, F. H., Baltimore, 1
Comegys, ---- Baltimore, 1
Cutler Wm. Daily, Baltimore, 1
Cutler Sam’l Jackson, Baltimore, 1
Coleman, R. K. Baltimore, 1
Cauling & Edmunds, Baltimore, 1
Cobb Anson, Brooklyn, 1
Clark C., Jacksonville, Ill. 1
Clark James, Springfield, Ill. 1
Cassill J. F., Upper Marion, Col. Mo. 1
Chewning F. B., Rich. Va. 2
Clark James, Lebanon, O. 1
Coppel Chas. Preston, Eng. 1
Crane O. P. Geneva, N. Y. 1
Chevalier, J. D. N. Y. 1
Crofoot E., E. Middletown Con. 1
Crofoot L L, Middletown, Conn, 1
Candee J G, Troy, N York, 1
Clark A, Penyan, N Y, 1
Cameron James, Philadelphia, 1
Copeland W S, M D, Rich Square, Virginia, 1
Carter J H, Ravena, Portage Co, O, 1
Caldwell Geo H, Rushville, Ia, 1
Camp W C, Oxford, Granville Co, N Carolina, 1
Cuyler Vernon, M D, Hartford, Conn, 1
Caldwell D, Philadelphia, 1
Copelin J, New-York, 1
Crane W S, Hartford, Conn, 1
Culp Clark, Philadelphia, 1
Dexter, Doctor, Brooklyn, 1
Dunning H. H. Buffalo, 1
Davis W. H. H, Cassville, Oneida Co., New York. 1
Duncan Archibald, N. Y. 1
Davesson Frederick A., M, D. Hillsboro, Loudon Co. Va. 1
Dunlap Joseph, Chilicothe, O. 1
Dunbar J. R. H., M. D., Balt. 1
Desha John R., M. D., Little Rock, Arkansas, 1
De Loude Le Chas. Wolverhampton, England, 1
Dodge J Smith, New-York, 1
Dewar Henry, Edinburgh, Scot, 2
Dodge Andrew, Matanzas, Cuba, 1
Dixon Rufus E, M D, Boston, 1
Doolittle A B, Plymouth, Conn, 1
Esterly D., M. D., Troy, N. Y. 1
Early -- --, Doctor, Lynchburg, Va. 2
Elmendorf Joseph, Pennyan, N. Y. 1
Ellery E. Baltimore, 1
Evans J. N., M. D., Cynthiana, Ky. 1
Elliott Joseph D., Leicester, Mass. 1
Ensor--Dentist., Liverpool, 1
Ellis Calvin, M D, Boston, 1
Evans G W, Cincinnatti, 1
Epps W J, M D, Langhorne’s P O, Virginia, 1
Evans Thos W, Philadelphia, 1
Easton Wm T, Providence, R I, 1
Fenn Horatio N., M. D., Rochester, 2
Foster J. H., M. D., New-York, 2
Flagg Josiah F M., M. D., Boston, 1
Frazer Doctor, Cynthiana, Harrison Co, Ky. 1
Follen John H, North. C. H., Va, 1
Frink J. N., Portland, N. H. 1
Foote George, Vernon, N. Y. 1
Faulkner & Pierpont, Man. England, 1
Fundenberg G. B., Dentist, Pittsburgh, Pa. 1
Franklin B W, Fairfield, Herkimer Co, New-York, 1
Fraetas J A, New-York, 20
Fay Timothy, Baton Rouge, La, 1
Fay Solomon, Chester Factories, Mass, 1
Ferguson Jas H, Northumberland C House, Va. 1
Fouche W. W. Philadelphia, 1
Falconer John, New-York, 1
Gilfiland, Doctor, Brooklyn, 1
Gaines Rich. W., Charlotte C. H., Virginia, 1
Garrison, Doctor, Brooklyn, 1
Gallop L. F., Newport, R. I. 1
Gardette E. B., Philadelphia, 2
Green L. T., Nashville, Tenn. 1
Goddard W. H., Louisville, Ky. 1
Gill Bryson, Baltimore, 1
Gunnell Jas. S., M. D., Washington, 1
Griffith S. & E., Louisville, Ky. 1
Geer--Rev. John A., Maryland, 1
Grandhomme M. P., Paris, France, 1
Gidney Eleazar, Man., England, 1
Greenwood Isaac J, New-York, 40
Grant C W, Newburg, New-York, 1
Greenleaf Chas, Hartford, Conn, 1
Ganson Holton, Batavia, New-York, 1
Gaines B B, Cassville, Georgia, 1
Githens John H, Philadelphia, 1
Gunn ----, Nashville, Tennessee, 1
Grimes Doctor, Greenborough, Ga. 1
Herd, Doctor, Brooklyn, 1
Harris Chapin A., M. D., Balt. 40
Hawes, Arnold, Pawtucket, R. I. 1
Hulihen J. P., Wheeling, Va. 1
Hawes & Allen, New-York, 1
Houston P., N. Y. and Charleston, 1
Hartness Thos. L., New-York, 1
Hewlet J. W., Greensbo, N. C. 1
Holmes Oliver, Baltimore, 1
Howard F., Washington City, 1
Harris John, M. D. Georgetown, Ky. 2
Hall, A. S., M. D., Scotland Neck, N. Carolina, 1
Hubberd, E. R., Newbern, N. C. 1
Harper Sam’l, Kent Island, Md. 1
Hand G. C., Easton, Pa. 1
Humphreys Geo. W. Winchester, Virginia, 1
Hodgson Doctor, Whiteplains, N. Y. 1
Harrison R. H., M. D., Huntsville, Alabama, 1
Helsby ----, Manchester, England, 1
Hudson Edward, Philadelphia, 1
Hamlin T B, Wythvelle, Virginia, 1
Hallified Doctor, Petersburg, Va, 1
Hought Chas. J, Philadelphia, 1
Hughes H W, Westminster, Md, 1
Hill A, Norwalk, Connecticut, 1
Hoit Emmett M, Stanwich, Conn, 1
Halleyman W F, Maytinton, S C, 1
Imrie--Dentist, Man. England, 1
Ingraham Thomas, Philadelphia, 1
Johnson Wm., Hagerston, Md. 2
Jenks W. D., Frederickstown, Md. 2
J’ollen John N., York Co. H. Va. 1
King Doctor, Brooklyn, 1
Kelley Elbridge G., Newburyport, Mass. 2
Knower Daniel, N. Y. 1
Keen Benjamin F., Hills, Ga. 1
Knapp, F. H. Baltimore, 1
Kearsing George, New-York, 20
Kingsbury C A, Philadelphia, 1
Kimball Horace, New-York, 1
Keemy B M, Hudson New-York, 1
Koecker Leonard, M D, London, 2
Keene, Doct. Newtown, Scott Co, Kentucky, 1
Latham Hiram, Brooklyn, 1
Lum John, Patterson, N. J. 1
Levett M., New-York, 1
Lovejoy John, New York 1
Laroque Edward, Baltimore, 1
Lapham B. B., Baltimore, 1
Lawrence J., M. D., Tarboro, N. C. 1
Leadbetter John, Alexan. D. C. 1
Lyon S. K., N. Orleans, 4
Lloyd T. B., Manchester, Eng. 1
Lloyd Rich., Liv. Eng. 1
Laird O. P., Columbus, Ga. 1
Lamphire Wm., Alexan. D. C. 1
Lawrence S W, Philadelphia, 1
Lee Joseph, M D, Camden, SC, 1
Lawrence E B, Crawfordville, Ga, 1
Loomis J C, Carlisle, Pa, 1
Latimer James, Madison, Morgan Co, Georgia, 1
Lethbridge Sam’l, Richmond, Va, 1
Marvin, Doctor Brooklyn, 1
Miller Seth P., Worcester, Mass. 1
Maynard E.--M. D. Washington City 20
Martin Chas. F., Norfork, Va. 1
M’Kinney W.N, Fredricksburg, Va. 20
Milhau John, New York, 1
Munson W. G. New Haven, 1
Manly Horace, Canada. N. Y. 1
Macall Leonard, M. D. Balt. 1
Miller J. H. Professor, &c. Baltimore 1
Merryman Geo. Baltimore, 1
Manning M. E., Tarborough, N. C. 2
M’Cabe James D., Richmond, Va. 2
McDonald G., M. D. Macon, Ga. 2
Macey Wm. M., M. D. White Sulphur Scott C. Ky. 1
McAllister J. M. Albany, 1
McNaughton M. A. Albany, 1
Mason, Doctor, Brooklyn, 1
Merritt C., Bridgeport, Con. 1
Martin J, Portsmouth, England, 1
Mac Pherson James, Glasgow, Scot. 1
Middleton Ellis, Philadelphia, 1
Mc Ilhinney Joseph E, Philadelphia, 1
Matson Alpheus, Auburn, New-York, 1
MGrath R, Philadelphia, 1
More Justus E, Philadelphia, 1
Middleton Wm. New-York, 1
Merritt Charles, Bridgeport, Conn, 1
Murrill L, Petersburg, Va, 1
Nelson Alexander, Albany, 1
Norman S. P., Little Rock Ark. 4
Neal D, Philadelphia, 1
Noyes Enoch, Baltimore, 20
Nasmyth Robert. Edinburgh, Scot. 1
Overfield M. Winchester, Va. 2
Parker, Doctor, Brooklyn, 1
Parmly L. S., N. Orleans, 20
Parmly Jahial, New-York, 20
Parmly Jahial, Savannah, 1
Parmly Geo. W., N. Orleans, 1
Parmly David, New York, 1
Parmly Eleazar, New York, 40
Parmly Ludolph, Mobile, 1
Parmly W. Samuel, New York, 1
Patello Wm. H., Charlottee C. H. Va. 1
Park David N., A. M. New York, 1
Parkhurst Wm. H., New York, 1
Peak J. M. Cooperstown, N. Y. 1
Plant Ebenezer, Willimantic, Conn. 1
Pritchard P. C. Jackson, N. C. 1
Plough A. L., New Orleans, 1
Parsons J. H., Liverpool, England, 1
Palmer W. A., Stratford, Conn. 1
Pleasants Charles, Painesville, O. 1
Perkins Jacob, Springfield, Mass, 1
Parker T H, Philadelphia, 1
Pent George, M D, Lawrenceville, Virginia, 1
Pancost S, Shelbyville, Kentucky, 1
Royce W. A. Poughkeepsie, N. Y. 3
Robinson E. C. Norfolk, Va. 1
Roper Lewis, M. D. Philad. 20
Rowell Chas., N. Y. 2
Roe Early, M. D. Hillsborough, Ga. 1
Rodriguez B. A. M. D. Charles, S. C. 1
Ritter--Washington City, 1
Robinson E. M. D. Leesburg, Ky. 1
Reynolds Wm., M. D. Camden, S. C. 1
Reinstein Frederick, Philadelphia, 1
Ross Samuel, New-York, 1
Root J B, Hamilton, Madison Co, New-York, 1
Reese F. A. M. D. Hamilton Bermuda. 1
Strickland Benj. Cleveland, O. 1
Snow R. J., Buffalo, 1
Smith & Thackston, Farmville, Va. 1
Scott W. R., Raleigh, N. C. 4
Shuff P. L., M. D., Leesburg, Ky. 1
Sneeds M. D., Frankford Ky. 1
Stringfellow S. L. Baltimore, 20
Stratton Cha’s, Keene, N. H. 1
Sanders M., London, 1
Sanborn E., Andover, Mass. 1
Smith Wm., Liverpool, Eng. 1
Stinkley B. D. Albany, 1
Smith G. W., N. Orleans, 1
Stuart R., Knoxville, E. T. 1
Smith J. W. Amherst, Mass. 1
Searle F., Springfield, Mass. 1
Stockton S. W. Philadelphia, 20
Stowell John, Philadelphia, 1
Shepherd S M, Petersburg, Va, 1
Sherman A, Newark, New-Jersey, 2
Simpson ----, Manchester. England, 1
Sale T A, Williamsboro, N C, 1
Sims J M, M D, Fish Dam, Union Dis, S Carolina, 1
Sanders E, 16 Argyle st, London, 1
Stevens B H, Elbridge, Onondagua Co, New-York, 1
Taylor, Edward, M. D. Bainbridge, O. 2
Tucker, E. G., M. D., New-York, 2
Trenor John, M. D., New York. 1
Trenor James, M. D., N. Y. 1
Tilyard H. W. Baltimore 1
Taliaferro, T. S., M. D. Mays. Ky. 1
Thompson--Doctor, Colum. O. 1
Thorn, Doctor, Brooklyn 1
Tyler Nathaniel, Mass. Chicapee Falls, 1
Taylor James, Crawfordville, Ia. 1
Teter G. T., Dentist, Greenfield, Highland Co. Ohio. 1
Thorn Doctor, Edgefield C H, S C, 1
Thackston Doctor, Farmville, Va, 1
Townsend Sam’l, Baltimore, 1
Truman, George, Philadelphia, 1
Van Praag A. S., New York, 1
Vincent Ezra, New York, 1
Van Camp, Louisville, Ky. 1
Van Paten C. H., Pittsburg, 1
Vanboskirk L. E. St John, N. B. 1
Willard M. T. Concord, N. H. 1
Weed J. Sacket, W. Greenfield, N.Y 1
White Geo. H., New York, 1
Walker & Jones, New York, 20
Wanzer N. C., Auburn, New York, 1
Wayt John G. Richmond, Va, 2
Wilson J. D., Richmond, Va. 2
Ware W, M. D., Wilmington, N.C. 1
Wheat J. B., New Haven, 1
White, S D, Philadelphia, 1
Worthington R C, M D, Murrfreesboro, N C, 1
Ward David G, Wanesboro, N C, 1
Ward W A, Petersburg, Va, 2
Willmore E, Baltimore, 1
Wheeler E D, Hillsboro, Coffee Co, Tennessee, 1
Williams E C, M D, Philadelphia, 1
Wells H, Hartford, Conn, 1
Young H., Troy, New York, 1
Yard George, Philadelphia, 1

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES

Missing punctuation added in the main text, and punctuation in the chapter arguments have been normalized.

Missing opening quotes in the notes have also been silently added.

Page 23: missing whitespace added for “whose smile”.

Page 52, note (2): error in attribution “Gerbeaux, on the Teeth ...” corrected to “Gerbaux on the Teeth ...”.

Page 56, note (9): missing opening parentheses added.

Page 72, note (24): missing apostrophe added to “Breton’s China”.

Page 73, note (25): extraneous closing parentheses removed.

Page 95, note (49): missing closing single quote for “with great regularity of habits ...” left unchanged.

Page 97, note (49): extraneous period removed.

All other typographical/spelling errors, and inconsistencies in capitalization, have been left unchanged.

Additional notes regarding the list of subscribers (pages 101-104)

Inconsistently italicized characters have not been preserved.

Middle dots silently converted to periods.

All other apparent typographical errors and missing characters have been left unchanged. However, extraneous successively printed commas have been removed for readability.