The Journals of Martha E. McMillan

Dentistry was also much different back then compared to now. On April 1, Martha writes that she had four teeth pulled, saying “These were the last of their “race.” Yes these were the last - I have not another tooth left now. I am planning for a new set.” Her husband also gets some teeth and some roots pulled as well. In the following weeks afterwards they have several visits to the dentist. They both receive new sets of teeth, though it’s not stated what the new teeth are made of, though it is implied that the new teeth work similar to the way that modern dentures do today. What makes this journal entry interesting to historicize is the fact that four years previous, the year 1900, saw the revelation that bad oral hygiene can be drastically altered and improved using fluoride. “In the early 1900s Frederick McKay, a dentist in Colorado Springs, Colorado, noticed that the teeth of patients from certain nearby towns were stained and mottled, and guessed that the culprit might be in their water. Other investigators traced the discoloration to high fluoride levels and noticed that many such patients had fewer cavities… Today fluoride is added to tap water, toothpaste and mouth rinses, and as a result baby boomers… will probably be the first generation to keep their teeth throughout old age” (Genco 26). Towards the end of April, Paul receives another supply of medicine for his arm, which is still sore from the vaccination. This had been the first time Martha let a child of hers become vaccinated, which shows that she was willing to change and adapt along with the world. She was also more accepting of her own medicine. At the same time that Paul received more medicine of his own, Martha received her ninth dosage. Over the course of January to April, Martha received nine supplies of medicine, though it is never stated what the medicine is for. Meanwhile, Paul’s treatments seem to work fine at first, but in August of 1909, “Paul’s lung trouble returned” and he could not transfer to a new college like he wanted. Shortly after, on May 25, 1910, Paul 208