Call Number:

Ms. Codex 1813

Repository:

University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts

Extent:

0.2 linear_foot (1 volume)

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Dentist's notebook, circa 1906-1909, Ms. Codex 1813, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania

Date:

circa 1906-1909 (inclusive)

Creator:

Bragg, R. W. (Richard Waller)

Form:

Notebooks and Notes

Abstract:

This notebook, which is actually three notebooks bound together, was likely owned by dentist Robert Waller Bragg II, D.D.S. (1872-1956), of Richmond, Virginia. The notebook contains manuscripts or treatises-- possibly speeches or lectures-- on methodology concerning dental crown work. Sections are titled: "Crown Work," "Treatment of Exposed Pulps," "Bridge-Work (Continued)," "Chemistry," and "Preparation of the Mouth for Artificial Dentures." The third volume also includes a section titled, "Condensed Facts Concerning Metals," that features tables of technical information.

This notebook was likely owned and created by dentist Robert Waller Bragg II, D.D.S. (1872-1956), of Richmond, Virginia. Bragg graduated from the Atlanta Dental College in 1896 and appears to have practiced dentistry in Virginia. He was married twice, first to Blanche Inez Tuckett, and later to Virginia Linton (or Litton).

In his treatment of dental crown methodology, the author makes references to pioneering dentists including Marshall Livingston Logan (1844-1885), creator of the "Logan Crown"; William Gibson Bonwill, (1833-1899), creator of the "Bonwill Crown"; and Marshall H. Webb (1844-1883).

This notebook contains manuscripts or treatises-- possibly speeches or lectures-- on methodology concerning dental crown work. The notebook is actually three notebooks joined at the spines with glue to create one conjoined notebook. The notebooks contain manuscript drafts presumably handwritten by the author and also dictated to at least one other transcriber. The cover of the first notebook has the inscription, "Vol. I - Dr. Bragg, R. W." On the inside front cover of all three notebooks is written, "Richmond, Virginia." R. W. Bragg is likely Robert Waller Bragg II, D.D.S. (1872-1956), of Virginia.

The first section of the first notebook, titled "Crown Work," outlines how to make shell caps and dental caps, how to make crowns, and how to prepare the mouth for surgery. The author makes references to Marshall Livingston Logan (1844-1885), creator of the "Logan Crown"; William Gibson Bonwill, (1833-1899), creator of the "Bonwill Crown"; and Marshall H. Webb (1844-1883). Also in the first notebook, on the facing pages, is written a treatise on the "Treatment of Exposed Pulps." This handwriting appears slightly different than the first handwriting sample (larger and looser), though it's possible this is because the second treatise was written at a later date. The "Treatment of Exposed Pulps" manuscript continues through the end of the first notebook and continues on additional pages which have been sewn into the back cover of the first notebook.

On the cover of the second notebook appears the inscription, "Vol. II - Dr. Bragg," and, in what appears to be different script, at the bottom of the cover is written: "L. A. Bragg," a few times, in the appearance of doodles. As a distinct second type of script appears in the second notebook, it may be that "L. A. Bragg" is the person who took dictation for Dr. Bragg in the second notebook. The second notebook begins with the title, "Bridge-Work (Continued)." The information is fairly technical and includes tables of gravity, malleability, and melting points for various metals. The handwriting is the same as that which appears in the first notebook. Halfway through the second notebook, a treatise titled "Chemistry" begins in what appears to be distinctly different handwriting. There are a number of blank pages at the back of this second notebook.

The cover of the third volume is inscribed, "Vol. III - Dr. Bragg" and lower down, "Dentistry." The treatise in the third volume is titled, "Preparation of the Mouth for Artificial Dentures." This third volume also discusses methodology and is fairly technical and includes a section titled, "Condensed Facts Concerning Metals," that features tables of information.