Three Bronchoscopic Cases the Result of Dental Procedure.-Dr. Burt R. Shurly of Detroit states that statistics show that possibly 600 cases of the sudden inhalation of foreign bodies during dental procedure have occurred in the United States and Canada. It was therefore important to devise a special protective device. In the first case the patient stated that her cough dated immediately after extraction of a tooth under nitrous oxid anesthesia. A radiogram showed the tooth. The trachea was not cocainized, and bronchoscopy failed. Tracheotomy and subsequent bronchoscopy resulted in removal and cure. In the second case the cough followed tooth extraction under nitrous oxid. There was a marked odor of rubber. The air supply of the lower part of the lung was cut off, and a piece of hard rubber, which had been part of a dental mouth-gag, was brought up to the trachea, slipped from the forceps, but fortunately was coughed up soon after by the patient. In the third case the patient was receiving treatment from a dentist preparatory to filling the root-canal of a tooth. The canal was treated with a dental broach, which was held between the thumb and forefinger during the process of application. This tiny instrument suddenly slipped and was inspirated into a lower division of the left bronchus. After this remained in the bronchus for ten days, the X-ray examination with antero-posterior and lateral plates showed a shadow in the lower left thoracic region, which it was believed was a metallic foreign body in the lower left bronchus. After a thorough application of novocain to the respiratory passage, with cocainization advanced as the tube was introduced, and followed to within the lowest terminations possible, this foreign body was extracted, which was pointing with the needle part upward. The patient recovered completely without symptoms. Interesting cases of the swallowing or inhaling of various articles of dental equipment were reported by Dr. Thomas Hubbard of Toledo, Dr. Harmon Smith of New York, Dr. Carl E. Munger of Waterbury, Conn., Dr. Albert C. Getchell of Worcester, Dr: Bryson Delavan of New York, Dr. Emil Mayer of New York, Dr. Robert C. Lynch of New Orleans, and Dr. Stanton Friedberg of Chicago.-N. Y. Med. Journal. Technique for Packing Amalgam.---Contrary to the usual method of removing the excess mercury before packing into the cavity, this semi-plastic mass is used for producing the filling, as it is practically impossible to pack amalgam into the cavity and adapt the margins when the excess mercury has been removed before the packing begins. The mixed amalgam should never be cut into squares and placed on the operating table, but an assistant should keep the mass moving between the fingers all the time. Portions of this plastic mass are carried to the cavity and patted down by numerous taps with the condensing instrument, thus causing the amalgam to flow into the cavity. Large instruments are used for this purpose, but the finer adaptation is done with a much smaller instrument. The excess mercury is removed from the filling during the packing process. It is readily seen that it is much easier to adapt a plastic mass to the margins than one which is so stiff that it is impossible to make it flow. It is just as difficult to adapt amalgam to the margins of a cavity as it is gold, and no amount of burnishing will make a margin tight unless the material has been adapted during the process of packing. When the amalgam has been carried to the bottom of the cavity by the larger instrument, a smaller one, having a tread of about two millimeters, is used for adapting the material to the margins. I prefer the squareend serrated instruments. The margins are carefully gone over, stepping one-half the width of the instrument from the center toward the buccal and lingual margins. This stepping brings the excess mercury to the surface, where it is easily removed with the packing instrument. Another layer is carried down in the same manner in fairly large quantities, tapping it down with light blows with a four-millimeter plugger, and packing down each layer with a smaller instrument. Remove the excess mercury when the margins are all covered.-THOS. P. HINMAN, Dental Items of Interest. Dr. John R. Callahan. [SEE FRONTISPIECE.] DIED, Tuesday, February 12, 1918, at Cincinnati, Ohio, of apoplexy, in his sixty-fifth year, JOHN ROSS CALLAHAN, D.D.S. Dr. Callahan was born June 28, 1853, at Higginsport, Ross county, Ohio, the son of Dr. Dennis Callahan and Sarah Ross Callahan. Dr. Callahan's father was a minister in his early years, and later became a physician and dentist, which professions he practiced until the time of his death. Dr. Callahan's early education was obtained in the Hillsboro, Ohio, schools. He began the study of dentistry under Dr. John Ellis, who was associated with his father in Hillsboro in the early '70's. He later entered the Philadelphia Dental College, and was graduated from that institution in 1877. After his graduation he began the practice of his profession in San Francisco, Cal. Two years later he returned to Hillsboro, Ohio, and continued the practice of dentistry at that place until 1890, when he removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he succeeded to the practice of Dr. C. R. Taft, brother of the late Jonathan Taft, and practiced until the time of his death. Dr. Callahan was active in national and local dental affairs, being a member of the National Dental Association, and of the Ohio Dental Society, which latter he served for several years in the capacity of secretary, and in 1891 as president. He was a member of the Cincinnati Dental Society, and president in 1906-07. Dr. Callahan was for many years head of the dental department of the Cincinnati General Hospital, at which institution he did very valuable work, and was largely instrumental in bringing about a closer co-operation between the dental and medical professions in Cincinnati and vicinity. He was director of the Research Club of Cincinnati, a member of the Cincinnati Research Society, and honorary member of numerous state and local societies. Dr. Callahan possessed naturally a scientific turn of mind, and from the beginning of his career as a dentist was deeply interested in research work. As a result of his studies and investigation in the treatment of rootcanals he gave to the profession a method, now known by his name, for the treatment of putrescent root-canals by means of sulfuric acid, which is today one of the most # "Sulfuric Acid for Opening Root-canals," DENTAL COSMOS, 1894, pp. 329 and 957. successful and generally used methods for the purpose of opening and cleaning root-canals. He later gave to the profession a method of filling root-canals with rosin,* which is in general use at the present time. In recognition of the valuable scientific research work which Dr. Callahan did, the results of which he so freely gave to the profession, the New York State Dental Society in 1917 presented to him the Jarvie Fellowship Medal, one of the highest honors that can come to a member of the dental profession in America. At this same meeting of the New York Dental Society at which he received the Jarvie Fellowship Medal, he presented a paper on "Logical Asepsis in Dental Practice," in which he gave the results of extensive experimental research work in an effort to impress upon the profession the importance of asepsis in dental practice. Dr. Callahan was married to Miss Sarah Ann Stephenson, Hillsboro, Ohio, in 1891. He is survived by a widow and three children. The funeral services were held in the Cincinnati Crematory, Friday, February 15, 1918, after which his body was cremated. The following editorial tribute to Dr. Callahan, in the Cincinnati Times-Star for February 15th, is a just appreciation by one who knew Dr. Callahan both professionally and as a friend during many years: "The death of Dr. John R. Callahan is a great loss to dental science. Dr. Callahan's professional activities took him far beyond the routine of his practice. He labored for the general advancement of his profession, and had no small share in widening the scope of dentistry until it became one of the important factors in general diagnostics. From his laboratory came many contributions to dental science, the harvest of experimentation as unselfish as valuable. The scientific imagination was one of Dr. Callahan's attributes, the ability to see beyond the immediate causes into the causes of causes, to trace symptoms to their source instead of being satisfied with superficial manifestations. "There is something heroic about a pro * "The Method of Filling Root-canals by Means of a Rosin Compound," Dental Summary, 1914, p. 775. "Logical Asepsis in Dental Practice." DENTAL COSMOS, 1918, p. 31. fessional career that so quietly contributes to the general good of humanity. There is no perfervid appeal to 'the peepul' to recognize service in their behalf. The emoluments are in no sense commensurate with the achievements. The effort finds its reward largely in the effort itself, and in its scientific fruition. Any praise from the outside world comes largely from the few possessed of the special knowledge that equips them for appreciation. "Such was Dr. Callahan's career-the unselfish labor of a scientist in humanity's behalf. He worked hard, accomplished much, and received his meed of praise from those familiar with his achievements. The greatest tragedy of his death lies in the things that he would still have accomplished, and which he was forced to relinquish to other heads and hands." The following resolution was passed by the Chicago Dental Society on the death of Dr. Callahan: Whereas, the Chicago Dental Society have learned of the sudden death of Dr. John R. Callahan; and Whereas, Dr. Callahan always stood for the highest and best in the dental profession; and Whereas, he was conspicuously known for his ability, integrity, and scientific attainment; therefore be it RESOLVED, That we, the members of the Chicago Dental Society, wish to go on record as expressing our loving memory of his faithful and fruitful life and our sincerest sorrow at his death. W. H. TAGGART, Chairman, Committee. Dr. Joseph Lemuel Mewborn. DIED, Saturday, December 15, 1917, at his home in Memphis, Tenn., from acute indigestion, after an illness of only three days. in his eightieth year, JOSEPH LEMUEL MEWBORN, D.D.S. Dr. Mewborn was born in Madison county, Ala., near Huntsville, on March 3, 1838, the son of Charlton Augustus and Mary Jane (Long) Mewborn. His early education was procured in the schools of his vicinity, and later in the Macon Masonic College and the LaGrange Synodical College of Tennessee. Dr. Mewborn was always eager and willing to serve in any capacity for the upbuilding of his profession. He was a close student of dentistry, and next to his family and home he loved his colleagues and the dental profession. He played an important part in securing legislation in Tennessee, governing the practice of dentistry, which has placed the state second to no other commonwealth regarding the high standards which must be attained by all members of the profession. One of the most impressive expressions of the high regard in which Dr. Mewborn was held by his associates was shown him by the dentists of Memphis upon the occasion of a banquet given by the Memphis Dental Society on May 12th in his honor. After many beautiful expressions of love and esteem from those present, he was presented with a handsome gold-headed cane bearing the following inscription: "Presented to Dr. J. L. Mewborn by the members of the Memphis Dental Society in token of their high esteem for his long years of loyalty and unparalleled usefulness to the profession, 1912." This occasion always remained in Dr. Mewborn's memory as one of the happiest events of his life, and one to which he often referred with pride. Dr. Mewborn was married to Miss Mary Anne Mathews November 20, 1866, in Macon, Tenn. He is survived by his wife and eight children. The funeral services were held at his home December 17, 1917, and interment took place in the mausoleum at Forest Hill Cemetery, Memphis. The Memphis Dental Society passed the following memorial resolutions on the death of Dr. Mewborn: In Memoriam DR. JOSEPH LEMUEL MEWBORN. "Let me not follow the glamor of the world, But walk calmly in my path. Give me a few friends who will love me For what I am; and keep ever burning before My vagrant steps the kindly light of hope; And though age and infirmity overtake me And I come not in sight of the castles of my dreams, Teach me still to be thankful For life, and for time's golden moments That are fond and sweet; and may the evening Twilight find me gentle still." Whereas, by the death of our honored and esteemed colleague, leader, and friend, Dr. Joseph Lemuel Mewborn, the Memphis Dental Society feels that it has been sorely bereaved in a personal manner as well as professionally: Personally, because of his courteous and cheerful conduct in our everyday social relations. His attitude toward us has ever been of the most kind and considerate nature, and will remain with us as a precious memory. Professionally, we shall miss his wise and experienced counsel and his deep interest in and devotion to our work. He was ever ready to make needed sacrifice of time and talent for his beloved profession, to which he gave so many years of valuable service. Perhaps the feature of his character which was most admirable was the impeccable soundness of his moral fiber. Indecision and indirection were foreign to his nature, and to all the activities of his long, honorable, and useful career he brought sterling integrity and absolute loyalty to truth. Uniformly urbane and courteous in social intercourse, he was in the highest sense a gentleman. When aroused, he had at command large potencies of incisive speech with which to enforce a lesson, expose a fallacy, or condemn a wrong. A veteran in dentistry, he was a pioneer in all those progressive advances which finally culminated in its organization and recognition as a distinct professional body. And Whereas, in the passing away of our beloved friend we have the assurance that God our all-wise Heavenly Father has taken him unto His bosom; therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Memphis Dental Society extends its sincere sympathy to Mrs. Mewborn and to the sons and daughters in their bereavement, which is the sorrow of each and every member of the society and the profession at large. We wish to express our high regard for the worth and character of this loving and lovable man. At the banquet of the Golden Jubilee of the Tennessee State Association, 1917, Dr. Mewborn closed his memorable and beautiful response to the toast "Reminiscences of Long Ago," with the following lines, which seem to have been anticipatory and prophetic: Here is a toast I want to drink |