lar
Treatise on the Diseases of the Teeth.")

The false idea that a patient must have good health, normal oral fluids,
and teeth little predisposed to decay, or else if filled with tin the
decay would be hastened, originated with a German or English author, and
has been handed down in works published since early in 1800. It even
crept into American text-books as late as 1860, the authors of which now
disbelieve it.

"Tin undergoes but little change in the mouth, and may be used with
comparative safety." ("Surgical, Mechanical, and Medical Treatment of
the Teeth," James Robinson, London, 1846.)

"Tin is soft, and can be easily and compactly introduced, but it is more
easily acted on by the secretions of the mouth than gold and is less
durable, but in the mouth of a healthy person _it will last for years_.
Still, inasmuch as it cannot be depended on in _all_ cases, we are of
the opinion that it should _never_ be employed." ("The Human Teeth,"
James Fox, London, 1846.)

The italics are ours. Every metal has a limited sphere of usefulness,
and it should not be expected that tin will contend single-handed
against all the complicated conditions which caries presents.

"Of all the cheaper materials, I consider tin the best by far, and
regard its use fully justifiable in deciduous teeth and in large
cavities, as it is not every man who can afford the expense of nine
leaves of gold and four hours of labor by a dentist on a single tooth."
(Dr. Edward Taylor, _Dental Register of the West_, 1847.)

"I consider tin good for any cavity in a chalky tooth: it will save them
better than anything else." (Dr. Holmes, 1848.)

"Tin can be used as a temporary filling, or as a matter of economy. It
may be rendered impervious to air and dampness, but it corrodes in most
mouths, unless it comes in contact with food in chewing, and then it
rapidly wears away; it does not become hard by packing or under
pressure, and that it forms a kind of a union with the tooth is
ridiculous." (Dr. J. D. White, 1849, _Dental News Letter_.)

"A tin plug will answer a very good purpose in medium and large cavities
for six years. Much imposition has been practiced with it, and it is not
made as malleable as it should and can be. An inferior article is
manufactured which possesses brilliancy and resembles silver. This is
often passed off for silver foil. No harm comes from this deception
except the loss of the amount paid above the price for tin; but even