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Show FIRST DENTAL COLLEGE IN THE WORLD By DR. SOPHIA BRUNSON The first dental college in the world was chartered in 1840, under un-der the name which it still bears, the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery. Five students were the first to enroll. Instructions began in the winter of 1840-41. The lectures lec-tures were given in a small room at Hopkins Place near Baltimore street, which has been marked with a tablet as being the birth-, place of dental education. Back in 1840, it was difficult to obtain ideal surroundings for the teaching of anatomy. The young dental college housed its material and gave instruction m a secluded stable. Even then there were prowlers who nosed into their affairs until wild reports became be-came current. . A negro butcher was accused of having several corpses hidden away on his premises. They probably prob-ably thought that he was selling the meat for steak. However, after af-ter the police had searched the premises without finding anyone excepting the negro, he was apprehended. ap-prehended. Then it took the faculty facul-ty and all of the students to secure se-cure the release of the prisoner. In 1841, only two dentists were graduated, and a year later, only three. But in 1851, eighteen dentists den-tists were graduated. According to the charter, any reputable dentists could receive a degree by passing an examination. examina-tion. A number applied, but very few passed, hence were denied the degree of "Doctor of Dental Surgery." Sur-gery." In 1846, the college was removed remov-ed to larger and more convenient quarters. Here the first dental infirmary in-firmary was established. The faculty fac-ulty was wide awake and progressive. progres-sive. The courses of instruction were constantly improved, and became be-came more thorough and the number num-ber of students increased as the reputation of the school continued to spread. The Baltimore school has exercised exer-cised a tremendous influence on dentistry. It has been the pattern of all other dental schools established estab-lished throughout the country and has been the means of bringing about the superiority of the American Amer-ican dentist throughout the warld. This college maintains a renowned re-nowned dental museum. It posses-es posses-es dentures which represent the evolution of false teeth from ancient an-cient times up to the present. We salute th Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, that "alma mater of alma maters." |