Amongst the vagaries of Dr. Monsey, says Mr. Jeaffreson, was the way in which he proceeded to extract his decaying teeth. Around the tooth sentenced to be uprooted he fastened securely a strong piece of cord, or violin string, to the other end of which he attached a bullet. He then proceeded to load a pistol with powder and the bullet. By merely pulling the trigger of the pistol, the operation was speedily and effectually performed.
It was seldom, however, that the doctor could induce his patients to adopt this original mode of extracting undesirable achers.
One gentleman, who had agreed to try this novel process upon a tooth, got so far as to allow the whole apparatus to be adjusted, when, at the very last instant, he exclaimed,—
“Stop, stop! I have changed my mind—”
“I haven’t, though; and you’re a fool and a coward, and here’s go,” which saying, the doctor pulled the trigger.
“Bang!” went the pistol, and out flew the tooth, to the delight and astonishment of the patient.
Taking this anecdote alone, it is scarcely credible; but considered in connection with what we have already selected from the life of Dr. Monsey, and what we may write of his eccentricities in our chapter under that head, this may be believed as being nearly correct.
MODERN IMPROVEMENTS IN DENTISTRY.