Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1845-03-06
From the National IntelIlgencer
From the National IntellIgencer
A Tooth Extracted without paim
while the Patient was i'm the Mes
nneric State.

merlc state.
The subject, Miss Throop, about fourteen years
of age, daughter of celebrated engraver of this
city, was thrown into Resmeric sleep by Profess
sor De Bonneville last evening about nine O'Clock,
before large audience of both sexes, among
whom no doubt were many disbelievers in mes
mersm.
The Professor placed the patient in mesmeric
sleep as she sat on the bench with the audience,
and then, by the magnetic influence, caused her
to rise and walk around and upon the stage,
elevation of about three feet from the floor After
she had ascended the stage and was seated in the
chair, she was requested by the Professor to
tie her bonnet, which she did. The patient now,
with eyes closed, and calm expression of coun-
tenance common to sleep, was asked by the Pro-
fessor whether or not she wished her tooth X
tractedi She replied, in an audible manner, yes
The audience feeling much interest in this amia-
BILE and pretty patient, and to ascertain her true
condition, that there should be no collusion or
humbug in the operation, made demand upon the
Professor that some medical gentleman should be
requested to go upon the stage and examine the
patient and the tooth to be extracted. But before
this call was made upon the Professor he had ex-
pressed wish that some medical gentleman
would, if present, please come forward and exam
inc the patient to see that there was no deception
in the matter Dr. H. Relfe, Representative
in Congress from Missouri, and DR.. ]. NJ. Gibson,
from Louisiana, were called upon by the audiences
to examine the subject and tooth to be extracted.
The subject was examined by these gentlemen
upon the stage whilst in mesmeric state, and
here follows their certificate:
We the undersigned, were present at Profess
sor De Bonneville's lecture last evening, and be-
| ing called upon by the audience to examine into
the truthfulness of the patients condition, both
respected her mesmerIc state and the tooth TO be
extracted, made all necessary examination, and
found the tooth to be the first molar of the upper
Jaw, Gaw tooth,) very little decayed, and firmly
| imbedded in the gum. Being satisfied with the
examination as to the condition of the patient and
the tooth to be operated upon, she was placed III
the hands of Dr. r. F. Hunt, eminent surgeon
dentist of this city, who manifested great skill and
adroitness in the operation. The tooth was ex-
tracted without any thing untoward occurring. A
considerable flow of blood followed the extraction,
but which ceased in few minutes.
The patient sat perfectly easy and quiet during
the operation apparently unconscious OF PAIN
There was some little action of the muscles OF the
eyelids while DR. Hunt was incising the gum
around the tooth, but the rest of her face was as
calm and tranquil as healthy subject in a sweet
sleep, and her whole body was as tranquil as her
countenance.
After the hemorrhage had ceased, she stated,
in reply to questions by the Professor being still
in the mesmeric state and having her eyes closed,
that she was conscious of having lost her tooth,
but that she felt no pain. The Professor, then,
having caused her to rise to her feet, awakened
her by throwing off the magnetic influence sudden
ly and she opened her eyes in astonishment at
/ finding herself there Much confused, she retired
to her seat among the audience, and when she
had become somewhat composed, Professor lie
Bonneville asked her if she had not tooth which
she wished extracted, To which she answered,
as before, YES. The Professor then asked, which
one! She put her finger up to point out the tooth,
but found to her surprise that 1t was gone.
We must, in closing, express ourselves perfect
ly satisfied and convinced by this experiment. con-
Quoted Immediately under our own eyes, that teeth
can be extracted and probably other painful sur
pical operations performed, on patients in mes
meric state without pain.
The foregoing publication is made at the unani-
nous request of the audience.
J. M. GIBSON, M. D.
JAMES H. RELFE, NJ. D.
Washington February 81, lS45.