General abstract
British Dental Journal 203, 265 - 269 (2007)
Published online: 8 September 2007 | doi:10.1038/bdj.2007.791
Subject Category: History of dentistry
A picture of dentistry at Charing Cross in the 1730s given by Hogarth's painting and print of Night. Professional governance, identity and possible mercury intoxication as an occupational hazard for his barber tooth-drawer
M. G. H. Bishop1
- Draws attention to a further work of art of importance to the history of dentistry, by a major British artist.
- Demonstrating the everyday provision of dental services in the social heart of mid-eighteenth century London gives a better understanding of the historical base of modern dentistry.
- Discussing the possibility of harm from the occupational exposure of barbers to mercury reminds modern dentists of their own occupational risk.
Abstract
The 2006-7 exhibition of William Hogarth's (1697-1764) works in Paris, London, and Madrid1 reunited his series The times of the day, first shown at his house in Leicester Fields (now Square), in 1736. Night (Fig. 1), the fourth painting in the group, is as important to the historical record of dentistry as J. M. W. Turner's painting and sketches of The dentist reproving his son's prodigality, described previously in the Journal2.
- Queen Anne House, 2a St Andrew Street, Hertford, Herts, SG14 1JA
