OUR PROFESSION. 
HOW CAN I BEST PROMOTE ITS INTEREST OR ADD 
TO ITS REPUTATION? 
By J. G. Ambler, M. D., M. D. S., 
AND THE 
PRESENTATION OF A PLATINA MEDAL TO JOHN ALLEN, D.D.S 
(Frotn the Proceedings of the American Dental Convention, August, 1876.) 
I answer, first, by identifying myself with it, and ever bearing 
in mind the fact that it is the individual that gives dignity, re- 
spectability and importance to his calling; not the calling to the 
man. By making its interests my own; by guarding its reputation 
as I would my own; by an honest, conscientious discharge of all 
its requirements and duties; ever watchful and mindful of its repu- 
tation and interests, by making myself master of my profession in 
all its details; with "Excelsior" for my motto; aiming high, satis- 
fied with nothing short of perfection ; and by careful, skillful and 
judicious treatment, impressing upon the public my own ability 
and my professional claim to recognition among the curative 
branches of the medical profession, as well as all other combina- 22 
tions seeking the amelioration of human ills; individual 
and collective union, are stepping stones to professional superiority. 
The progress of our profession in public esteem is, in a great 
degree, dependent upon the life, character and efforts of those 
identified with it. Christianity suffers much from the inconsistent 
lives and actions of its professors; so does our own profession 
suffer from mal-practice, unskillful operations, unprofessional con- 
duct, immorality, dissipation, and other like degrading attributes 
of character. 
A uniform, conscientious, and consistent life, honest, just and 
reasonable in all things, coupled with skillful, kind and sympathetic 
treatment, will lead to individual and professional appreciation 
and esteem. And as the individual rises in the scale of approba- 
tion, he carries his profession or calling with him. Respect your- 
self and the world will respect you, is true and trite, and as appli- 
cable to our calling or profession as to individuals. 
I add to the reputation of my profession by the recognition and 
appreciation of discoveries and discoverers, and the efforts of those 
who have directed time, talents and energies to promote its useful- 
ness. I honor my profession by honoring those who have 
been in any way instrumental in giving proper form and 
character to it, and I show the sincerity of ray homage 
by my efforts to imitate their example and add my mite to 
its working capital and striving myself to attain a like reputation ; 
not forgetting the debt I owe to those who have achieved the dis- 
coveries and improved the practice for my benefit; regarding this 
obligation as an entailed one, linking fidelity and fame together, 
I would frown upon that selfish spirit which would conceal and 
retain the individual discoveries, improvements and methods of 
practice which he may have made or stolen. Yet brain and hand- 
work of all kinds should receive the compensation justly due, by 
recognizing, appreciating and acknowledging its claims. And in 
cases where direct remuneration is justly due, and for which we 
receive an equivalent, we should not withhold it; although, as a 
rule, we all, acting on the principle of reciprocity, should give 
and take ; each as far as possible should contribute his mite to the 
general fund. Liberality begets liberality. The desire to give 
credit and compliment when due, begets a desire to receive com- 
mendation, thereby promoting the interest of the whole. I pro 23 
mote the true interest of my profession by identifying myself with 
encouraging and sustaining organizations calculated and designed 
to bring the profession together for the interchange of views, and 
to discuss matters pertaining to our vocation. Also, by contribut- 
ing to and sustaining periodicals or journals devoted to our calling. 
I also add to its status, among the learned and scientific professions, 
by aiding in surrounding it with enactments and safeguards to pro- 
tect it from the inroads of empiricism, quackery, and from those 
whom science never taught the "hard but useful drudgery of 
thought," as well as to sanction and encourage all discoveries 
and efforts for its improvement and advancement. I will not de- 
tain you by detailing the various minor, though no less important 
means, by which I can add to the reputation of my profession, leav" 
ing that to your own good judgment and the discussions evoked 
by this paper and its suggestions. My own views, however, in 
this respect, find further exemplification in the act which I am 
commissioned to perform on behalf of this organization, thereby 
giving our associate endorsement to the views herein presented : 
namely, the presentation of a medal to Dr. John Allen, of New 
York, on behalf of the American Dental Convention. 
Among the many bright spots in the horizon of life, the pleasant 
scenes and incidents of its voyage, none are more so to me than 
the duty now assigned of presenting to our friend and professional 
brother, Dr. Allen, 
The veteran who has grown grey, 
In serving well our noble art, 
Yet shows a zeal as firm to-day, 
As ever moved a manly heart- 
The result of whose efforts in the cause of dental progress and 
perfection is apparent to all who are interested in dental science, 
art and literature, a testimonial of the regard and esteem that the 
profession at large, this convention, and ourselves as indviduals, 
entertain for him.and his important services. Being fully inr 
pressed with the fact that an opportunity only was wanting to 
bring out this feeling and sentiment, I embraced that opportunity 
at our last meeting to express my own convictions on the subject, 
and moved the appointment of a committee to present a suitable 
testimonial to him for efforts and improvements in behalf of 
mechanical dentistry or artificial dentures. The resolution was 24 
adopted, the committee appointed, and now it devolves upon me 
to consummate our wishes and decision, by presenting to him that 
testimonial, in medal form. 
Dr. Allen-Sir: Your efforts, struggles, trials-legal, physical 
and mental-are known, estimated and appreciated by your pro- 
fessional brethren, who have witnessed with admiration your per- 
sistent efforts to bring to perfection that style of dentures, which 
may well challenge the world to equal, as a substitute for natural 
teeth. It is no little satisfaction and pride to us to know that 
other nations have shown their appreciation of the result of your 
efforts, by awards previously unknown in your specialty. The 
committee have selected, as a suitable testimonial, a.platina medal. 
It is known to us that you have been honored with gold, silver and 
bronze medals, therefore a new material seemed desirable to com- 
plete the assortment. We therefore concluded to further compli- 
ment you by adopting a metal familiar to yourself, and one closely 
identified with your improvements, that metal immortalized by your 
magic hand, and which has been the pegastis on which you rode 
to fame. In order to connect this medal with the day we cele- 
brate, our Centennial Anniversary, we have ornamented it with a 
representation of Memorial Hall, which will, for coming centuries, 
commemorate this among other of its events. The recording 
angel has placed upon the historic page the achievements which 
have called forth our admiration and acknowledgment. You will find 
engraved on the reverse side the fact and by whom presented. Also 
the motto, '' Per augusta ad angusta. ' ' ( Through trials to triumphl) 
All of which, when blended together ard harmonized, will, we 
trust, form a chain, each link being necessary to the unity of the 
whole. The metal will remind you of your struggles in bringing 
it into the dental laboratory, as a base for artificial dentures. The 
inscription will show that appreciation followed the event. The 
Memorial Hall will recall to you the occasion, place and time, 
and that auspicious time-our National Centennial. 
Centennial! Great year of years ! 
Our country is of age to-day t 
There have been trials, doubts and fears, 
But these like clouds have passed away; 
And lo, how glorious she stands, 
Mature in peaceful grandeur now, 25 
Amid the offerings of all lands, 
To charm her eye and deck her brow. 
We bring our tribute to her shrine, 
The dental jewel of her fame, 
Forever in her crown to shine, 
And bear aloft our Allen's name ! 
All hail, our art's Centennial chief; 
Platina's great magician, hail! 
Your toil and skill have wrought relief, 
And taught our science to prevail! 
Accept this token of our love, 
The veneration due to worth ; 
And may eternal bliss above, 
Reward your noble work on earth ! 
dr. allen's response. 
Mr. President, and Members of the American Dental Conven- 
tion ; In receiving this beautiful testimonial as a token of your 
appreciation of the advance made in dental prosthesis, known as 
continuous gum work, I do it in view of the fact that your recipi- 
ent has simply been the humble instrument for conceiving, devel- 
oping and rendering available to the dental profession an impor- 
tant improvement, which is pronounced the nearest approach to 
the natural dental organs that had been previously attained by 
artificial means. And as it is strictly of American origin, it seems 
the more appropriate on this Centennial occasion to record this 
memorable act of yours upon the historic page of American Den- 
tistry. 
And here allow me to refer in terms of commendation to the 
very appropriate material (platinum) which you have selected for 
this memento. A metal which for purity, beauty and durability, 
represents just what is embodied in this whole system for the con- 
struction of artificial dentures.