n progress as the old medieval superstitions acted on astronomy,
physiology, zoology. Truth sought after without misgiving, and the
humblest as well as the highest evidence taken in every case, and acted
on with skill and discrimination, will crown all with a high average of
success."

It is hoped that what has been said in this volume will enable those who
study it to save more teeth, and stimulate them to make improvements on
the material and methods, doing much better than has been described or
suggested.

CLEVELAND, OHIO, June, 1897.

"With soft and yielding lamina, and skill,
The practiced dental surgeon learns to fill
Each morbid cavity, by caries made,
With pliant tin; when thus the parts decayed
Are well supplied, corrosion, forced to yield
To conquering art the long-contested field,
Resigns its victim to the smiles of peace,
And all decay and irritation cease."
(_Solyman Brown._)

The quantity of tin foil used measures the number of teeth saved with
_metals_ in any country during any historical period.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I. PAGE
Antiquity of Tin--Alchemistic Name--Medical Use--Where Found--
Purity Obtained--Physical Characteristics 1

CHAPTER II.
History of the Use of Tin Foil, 1783-1844 7

CHAPTER III.
History Continued, 1845-1895 15

CHAPTER IV.
Columbian Dental Congress--Opinions on Tin Foil--Reasons for
Using--Manufacture in United States--Number and Weight of
Foil--Cohesion--Good Qualities of Tin Foil--Temporary Teeth--
Thermal Changes--Calcification--Chalky Teeth 27

CHAPTER V.
Discoloration of Tin--Decomposition of Food--Sulfids--Oxids--
Galvanic, Therapeutic, and Chemical Action 40

CHAPTER VI.
White Caries--Gold and Tin as Conductors--Wearing Away of
Fillings--Poor Foil--Buccal Cavities--Number of Years
Fillings Last--Strips or Tapes for Filling--Number 10 Foil--
Form of Cavities--Shields--Matrices--Condensing--Finishing--
Cervical Margins--Filling Anterior Teeth--Lining with Gold 49

CHA