names of the four Forsyth brothers, of Boston, Massachusetts, whose successful efforts in youth and whose forethought and generosity in their declining years, resulted in the building of and the endowment for the Forsyth Dental Infirmary for children, these names have a significance that will endure thru all the years to come. It was on a recent trip to the old historic city of Boston that I took advantage of the opportunity of visiting this truly great and grand institution; and I have been asked to record my impressions of this visit for the readers of the Journal. This institution is located at 140 Fenway and occupies the central portion of the Fenway frontage with sufficient space on all sides to insure good light. It consists of three stories and two partial mezzanine floors; and is absolutely fire proof. There is not a single piece of wood, however small, entering into its construction. The exterior is done in Vermont white marble, and the first view one gets of the building is both pleasing and imposing. We entered the basement floor from the right side of the building; the entrance on the left side is for the children who are the patients of the institution, and the main entrance in front is used only on special occasions. We were first conducted into the office of Dr. H. DeWitt Cross, the dentist who has charge of the institution. It does not take one long to appreciate the responsibility of the man who fills this position and Dr. Cross unhesitatingly shoulders the responsibility and is successfully carrying the load. It must be remembered that while there are many kinds of dental infirmaries, there has never been anything like this one in the history of the world; and it is necessary for those having the work in charge to blaze their own trail. From the office we again entered the large corridor which runs thru the basement floor; and the first thing that attracted our attention was the busts, cast in enduring bronze, of two of the brothers-James Bennett and George Henry Forsyth. Then we were conducted into a large corner room to the left of this floor which is known as "the family room." With the exception of the large table and a few chairs, all of the fixtures and furnishings in this room came from the Forsyth family; and the room, as might be expected, is beautifully furnished. It has every suggestion, from the large clock in the corner to the pictures on the walls, of a room in the home of a well-to-do and sensible family. Everything is complete, but nothing overdone. In this room we also find two other bronze busts— those of John Hamilton and Thomas Alexander Forsyth-the two brothers who founded the Infirmary in memory of the two who had previously died. Since the plans for the building were begun John has died; so Thomas is the only brother living today. What a satisfaction it must be for him to visit this great institution and to see and to know the great benefit to the children of Boston which comes from the generosity of himself and brothers. It is said that Thomas Forsyth, tho well advanced in years, is at his place of business at 8 o'clock in the morning and remains until six o'clock at night. Thus is displayed something of the sturdy character of these brothers who in their youth "builded better than they knew." Another mark of character is shown in the fact that it was James Bennett Forsyth who first suggested such a memorial. This brother made his will and died without signing it; but the remaining brothers carried out his wishes and desires to the best of their ability. But I must hurry on. Opposite the "family room" is a large lecture room, with a seating capacity of about two hundred. Lectures on hygiene, dental and other allied subjects will be given here. From here we went thru the rooms for nose and throat work. The operations here are done only in conjunction with the dental work. The clinic rooms are complete in every detail, but it should be remembered that this clinic is not independent of the dental clinic. Near these rooms there are two wards-one for boys and one for girls, each having a bath room. We then went to the dental infirmary on the second floor-a large room with ample light on every side. It is equipped with all modern conveniences. The chairs are unique, having been made especially for this institution. There A are no electric bells to startle the little patients; all signals being given by a flash light system. The Infirmary is open from nine a. m. to five p. m., and all dental operations are performed for children up to sixteen years of age. charge of five cents per visit is made. It was Mr. Thomas Forsyth's idea to have the fee for service as low as possible, yet not free. Those who come may feel that they are paying something, however small, for the services received. In the main waiting room on the basement floor and in the assigning room on this floor, as well as in the operating chairs, we saw children of all ages; and one pleasing feature was that there was not a child present but what seemed to be happy that he or she was there, and all seemed anxious and ready for their call to the chair. The day will soon be here when people will no longer dread the dental chair; just as these children do not dread to visit the Forsyth Dental Infirmary. The operators are chosen by competitive examinations and their length of service is one year. At present they are paid a moderate salary; but it is hoped and believed that the advantages offered here will soon be such that young men and women will desire, without pay, to spend a year in the Infirmary, just as medical internes do in the various hospitals. It is firmly believed that this great institution will not only benefit the children of Boston; but that its influence will radiate out and benefit the entire dental profession, and thru it the needs for the average dental operachildren of the world. I cannot take the time to describe the work in detail which is done in the Infirmary, except to say that it is done in a routine manner. First pain is relieved; then a prophylactic treatment is given; after which the work on the tooth needing attention most is begun. From the dental infirmary we went thru the X-ray room, and then again to the basement floor and into the main waiting room. In this room there is a lady attendant at a desk in one corner to see that the waiting children are provided with story books. Adjoining this room there is a checking room which is also provided with a lady attendant. In the main waiting room there is a library well supplied with books for children. The decorations on the walls here contain illustrations of children's stories. This idea is carried out in the entire building, wherever such would be appropriate. For example, on the metal doors of the children's entrance to the building is found pictures which are both pleasing and instructing. We next visited the sterilizing room. It would do no harm if every dentist could see the way the instruments are sterilized here. First they are washed and scrubbed and then sterilized with dry heat. The sterilizer proper has a capacity for one thousand trays, and each tray contains the number of instruments which the operator tion. When a patient is placed in the chair in the dental infirmary, a signal number is flashed on the bulletin board, and a tray of sterile instruments is wheeled by a boy to the chair. The amount of heat in the sterilizer is automatically recorded on a chart for the purpose. Thus if the proper heat has not been kept up during the night by the man in charge of this room, the tell-tale chart indicates it. From the sterilizing room we returned to the large corridor and left the building with a feeling that is hard to describe. All glory to the memory of the Forsyth brothers. This Dental Infirmary for children will certainly prove to be a memorial for which it was intended, and the name "Forsyth" will be well and favorably known in the many, many years to come. It stands as a monument to these brothers and says to the world: "To all our children everywhere, Let us be just, be kind, be fair." DEATH OF DR. H. B. MCFADDEN. We are grieved to announce that Dr. H. B. McFadden, of Philadelphia, Pa., treasurer of the National Dental Association, died February 14, 1915. The Board of Trustees met in Chicago, February 27, and elected Dr. Arthur R. Melendy, of Knoxville, Tenn., treasurer, to fill the unexpired term of Dr. McFadden. INTERNATIONAL. International Dental Federation, San Francisco, Cal., August 30, 1915. NATIONAL SOCIETIES. Panama-Pacific Dental Congress, San Francisco, Cal., August 30-Sept. 9, 1915. National Dental Association-House of Delegates, Sept. 1-2, 1915, San Francisco, Cal. STATE SOCIETIES. March. Oklahoma-Oklahoma City, March 15 19. April. Alabama-Montgomery, April 13. Arkansas-Little Rock, May 13-15. June. Colorado-Manitou, June 17-18-19. Florida-June. Georgia-Atlanta, June. Idaho Salmon, June. Kentucky-Ashland, June 8-10. Louisiana-New Orleans, June 3-5. Missouri-Jefferson City, June 10-12. Lake or Ogden, and that we will be very glad to do so, if we are notified when they individually or collectively will arrive in either of these towns. EARL G. VAN LAW, Chairman Entertainment Com. AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF DENTAL TEACHERS. At the last annual meeting of the American Institute of Dental Teachers held at Ann Arbor, Mich., the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: President, H. M. Semans, Columbus, Ohio; Vice-President, S. W. Bowles, Washington, D. C., Secretary-Treasurer, J. F. Biddle, 517 Arch Street, N. S., Pittsburgh, Pa.; Executive Board, A. W. Thornton, Montreal, Canada, R. W. Bunting, Ann Arbor, Michigan, A. D. Black, Chicago, Ill. The next annual meeting will be held at Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 25th, 26th, and 27th, 1916. J. F. BIDDLE, Secretary. THE OKLAHOMA STATE DENTAL SOCIETY MEETING. (The State Dental Meeting that's Different.) The 1915 meeting of this society will be held in Oklahoma City, March 15, 16, 17, 18, 19th. These meetings are conducted somewhat along original lines and are a deviation from the "old style" dental meeting in that considerable time is given over to listening to lectures (generally illustrated) by dental teachers. Some time is devoted to a discussion of the newer things of dentistry but the prime object is to give a more thoro and better understanding of many of the older things. The principal lectures for the 1915 session will be Drs. J. H. Prothero, and W. H. G. Logan of Chicago. Dr. Prothero's lectures will be confined to important phases of prosthetic dentistry, and Dr. Logan will lecture on modern methods of treating "Pyorrhea", and conductive anesthesia. The clinical instructions are to be more of a personal nature than in former meetings; the society being divided into classes for this purpose. Members of other State Dental Societies are welcome to attend this meeting but are required to pay a fee of five dollars for the lectures and clinics. C. R. LAWRENCE, Secretary, CONNECTICUT STATE DENTAL ASSOCIATION. The fifty-first annual meeting of the Connecticut State Dental Association will be held at the Foot Guard Armory Hall, Hartford, Conn., April 20, 21, 22, 1915. CHAS. H. RIGGS, Pres., Hartford, Conn. ELWYN R. BRYANT, Sec., New Haven, Conn. |