The all important feature of recent progress is the British Dental Association. The Dental body has been afflicted with inherent weakness through the want of organisation, a weakness that paralyses, and at the same time, a weakness endowed with remarkable power, the power of successfully defeating efforts toward general reformation. So long as we were isolated and detached it is not wonderful that we were selfish and afraid of one another, but a new era has dawned. We have an Association to which all are eligible, where all can meet on the common ground of professional brotherhood and intercourse. The control of the Association, embracing the future welfare of the whole body, is committed to a Board constituted on a representative basis. None need be excluded from participation, save by their own poverty of professional spirit, a poverty exhibited alike by persistent recourse to unprofessional practice, and by selfish indifference to professional politics. There may be a kind of superiority in having a large practice, or in holding a high scientific position, but unless I am greatly mistaken the true superiority is that which overleaps all selfish considerations, and delights in consecrating whatever power or position we may have to the elevation and improvement of the whole profession. Thank God we have men who have been inspired with a large measure of true professional spirit. Men who could think for themselves and hold their own opinions, but who at the same time have been large-hearted enough to merge minor differences in the pursuit of one grand object. Such men as Edwin Saunders, John Tomes, J. Smith-Turner, T. A. Rogers, A. Coleman, Dr. Walker, our esteemed President, and many others, stand forth as examples of true as distinct from sham superiority.
The facilities now afforded by our separate branches have removed the excuse so often urged when all the meetings took place in London, and there is practically no obstacle to our speedy improvement. We possess advantages of a political nature quite equal to those existing in any kindred profession.
These are the bare facts of the present time; they furnish material for much thankfulness and for cheerful anticipation. They are the foundation on which our future must be erected. What that future is to be depends on what we mean to be. The scaffolding is up, the materials are ready. Willing hearts and willing hands are needed to complete the edifice. There is a sublime principle working through the whole human family, the operation of which no individual can withstand. It was formulated by the Founder of the grandest system the world has ever known, and this is the formula—
“Whosoever would be chief among you, let him be your servant.”
Mr. Mahonie, in proposing the toast of “Sir John Lubbock, and the promoters of the Dentists Act,” said:—No words of mine can add additional lustre to the names—Sir John Lubbock, Mr. John Tomes, Mr. James Smith Turner. These men have earned a name for themselves which neither crayons nor oils—not even if they were placed in cathedral aisles—could add more; these men have laboured much—laboured hard; I beg to propose their health.
Captain Rogers, in responding, spoke of the great triumph Sir John Lubbock had accomplished in passing Bills connected with science, this Parliament. He had great pleasure in thanking them for the hearty manner in which they had received the names of these gentlemen connected with Dental Reform.
Mr T Murphy in proposing the “Manchester School of Medicine” said:—I have had put into my hands a toast to propose, which is so intimately connected with our branch of the profession, that it will require no eulogy on my part for it to be received with acclamation, I mean the Manchester Royal School of Medicine. Perhaps it will not be out of place if I give you a short outline of its history. It was founded by the late Mr. T. Turner in the year 1824; it was known for many years as the Pine Street School. In 1850 a second school was established, and being connected as I then was with a hospital in this city, I can well remember the jealousy there was about the subjects that were sent out; first one school and then another complaining that they were not getting their fair share, and I must admit that the leaning was towards the old school, which I think got, on the whole, rather more than its share. In 1858 the founders of the rival schools came to the conclusion that the interests of the students would be best promoted by an amalgamation, forgetting their differences and working together for the common weal. In this way, from the Union of the Pine Street and Chatham Street Schools, that school arose which has been long known as the Manchester School of Medicine. For sixteen years the work was carried on in Faulkden Street with difficulty both with regard to accommodation and light. About the year 1872, a meeting of the Owen’s College authorities met the leading Members of the medical staff, and it was agreed that it would be for the welfare of the School if it were handed over to the Owen’s College authorities. The result has been the erection of one of the finest Medical Schools in the kingdom, replete with everything necessary for the study of medicine. The course of instruction not only enables students to qualify for College and Hall, but affords the more aspiring every facility for qualifying themselves for the higher distinctions of their profession. When I mention the names of Turner, Jordan, Wilson, Smith, Wilkinson, Bradley, Southam, and last, but not least, the celebrated Dalton, and others, who have gone; Gamgee, Watson, Williamson, Roscoe, Roberts, Morgan, Lund, Simpson, Ransome, and other able men, who are at present at the helm, can there be a doubt about the quality of the education given? and, in conclusion, is it too much to ask that before long we should have established in this city, and in connection with the Victoria University, a Dental School where we can send our sons to receive at the hands of these able men the necessary training to fit them for the practice of Dentistry.
Mr. Marsh returned thanks for the toast; he trusted some day Mr. Campion would be appointed Consulting Dental Surgeon to the Manchester School of Medicine.
Dr. Waite proposed “Success to the Western Counties Association,” coupling with it the name of Mr. J. C. Parson, of Clifton.
Mr. Parson having responded, the proceedings terminated.