The Republican journal., 1870-02-10

failed. And while she thus smiled, observ
that she exhibited two brilliant rows of pear
ly teeth, that were by no means the most attrac
tive feature in her beautiful and ndintelligent face
found the young lady's pulse was titful anc
feverish, and questioned her as to her symp
toms. She informed me briefly that hel
trouble, whatever it was, seemed to be aner
vous affection. She frequently experienced
spasmodie and acute pains in the face and
head, and would faint and fall like an epilep-
tie. Then extreme dullness would succeed
physically and mentally; she was really dis
couraged, she said.
With my practice as q physician, had long
before united that of q dentist; and | knew
well how sensitive and delicate were the ner-
vous combinations of the face, and especially
those of the teeth I asked the patient many
questions, and finally interrogated her closely
as to the apparent neuralgia affections she
had so frequently experienced in her head
and jaw. She had no reason to complain of
her teeth she said they were perfectly
sound.
l examined them, however, with profess
sionai care. Finally, taking from my coat
pocket small operating dental instrument, /
scanned each tooth, and raped it slightly as
l passed along. AS l did this, the youthful
sonora did not finch until | struck the molar
beyond one of the eye teeth, when to my con-
CONSERVATION and surprise, she suddenly
sprang up, and with sharp sigh fellforward
senseless at my feet.
AS you may well conceive, l was alarmed
for an instant, but quickly raising her form
upon the divan at the side of the room, re-
peated the rap upon this tooth, which, like the
rest, was to all outward appearances, perfect !;
and found though respiration had Temporal
rily ceased the effect of this simple jar upon
the tooth produced result upon the patient
like that of a galvanic shock almost-the girl
starting violently and struggling in MY hands
with fearful spasms, at each repeated stroke
against the jaw.
Assuming the responsibility of my profess
sion and position, therefore, and believing
that the mystery of her illness was in some
way connected with the facial nerves, quick
ly resolved to try an experiment to relieve
her, at least temporarily. And taking the
forceps from my dental pocket case, l applied
them to what | deemed the offending tooth
she lay apparently insensible upon the COUCH -
"And what was the result ?'' asked.
''In moment she came to consciousness,
and placing her hand to her forehead, she en-
quired, where am |? All, doctor, what have
you done?' And then missing one of her teeth
she said, What have you done :? And brief
ly replied that 4 thought had solved the
mystery of her illness.
"Upon the side of this tooth, which was
perfect, there adhered bit ofstraw, or what
seemed to be diminutive sharp splinter of
hard grained wood, perhaps three-eighths of
an inch in length, and not larger than a cam
brio needle in circumference, which had been
plainly forced up accidentally, and to her un-
consciously, months previously through the
gum, and which penetrated to the root of the
tooth, near the connection where it enters
the jaw And there it had remained to fret
and chate one Of the most delicately sensitive
points in the head, until further forbearance
with it was too much for the sufferers physi-
cal strength"
We'll, did this operation crro her ?N
Not instantly But this trivial matter was
the really mysterious cause of her pining i'll
ness, evidently; for in ten days after my first
visit she was as calm as You and | are now,
and very soon she entirely recovered as her
spirits revived"
''And old Rabino? What did he say to
your treatment?"
ale was delighted, and frankly offered mc
anything | would ask for q remuneration.
He sent me a score of doubloons at once as
an earnest Of his good intentions, and blazon-
ed my success abroad among his host Of
friends directly. | soon became famous, and
my rooms were for a time 5esieged with in
valids whose ills had been of short or long
duration, and whom neither my skill nor that
OF those who had made attempts on these in
curables, could ever relieve of their manifold
complaints Still the consequence of all was,
that sprang at once into notoriety and q
splendidly rcmunerativc practice; and | have
now very comfortable competency, as well
as a prospective good business"
II congratulate you, Doctor But what
became of the lady?''
"Oh, Sonora Carlotta? | had almost for
gotten to say that when found she was rap
idly improving, ought to have discontinued
my professional visits; but neither father nor
daughter would listen to this. Not until the
young lady had entirely recovered did I
cease to visit the fine old ranch daily. And
finally, my dear friend when the fair Sonora
had resumed her health, claimed the re-
muneration for my services''
''Of course you did. You earned it,
"And what do you think / finally demand
ed?''
"That I could not guess at-we profession
al gentlemen are usually so modest" I said :;
''and especially when successful"
"Well," he continued, Il arranged the af-
fair first with Sonora Carlotta. And then
demanded her hand in marriage OF old
Rabino.''
"You dido"
81 did. And made her my wife, Of
course"
"Married - exclaimed. "Then you are
no longer bachelor ?''
''No, my old chum. We have been mar
ried over a year"
And ten minutes afterward was introduce
ed to one of the prettiest women ever set
eyes on in my life.
"You are lucky fellow, Doctor" said
to my friend at parting with him. eff l
could turn my humble talents to similar good
account, I really believe would no longer
lead the life of a bachelor myself"
'Well, my FRIEND" he replied, "take the
advice of one of the happiest men alive, and
get married.!
"Thank you, Doctor, will think of it. u
And l left him one of the jolliest and most
fortunate men in existence.
| His fortune by his wife was AMPLE and
his professional business continued the very
best for years.
He is now reckoned among the ''solid
men" in California, and his lovely wife is
one Of the most accomplished and beautiful
of the sex, while both are warmly beloved
and respected by the large social circle who
enjoy their society and confidence.