Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-07-03
A DENTAL OPERATION.
Remarkable and Exciting Perform
aamce-Drawfnga u Lions Tooth.

Hmce-DraWfuRa RaLiOn'sTOOth.
The visitors TO Manders' menagerie
on Wednesday afternoon (says the Glas,
gov HERALD witnessed a performance
no less remarkable than exciting-the
extraction of diseased tooth from the
Jaw of vigorous, fullgrown lion. Some
| time ago Maccomo, the famous tanner,
long connected with Mr.. Manders' es-
tablishment, had, while causing the ami
NAL to perform its usual drill, exposed
/ himselfto one Of those fierce attacks
which, in the course of his perilous oc-
cupation, he had not unfrequently faced.
Experience had taught him that in such
eases stroke with his rod delivered on
any part OF the head produced little eff
| fect-that his only chance of escape
from the threatened attack lay in Wig
orous blow across the jaw or muzzle of
the animal. Such blow had been de-
| livered on the occasion referred to; but
while Maecomo fortunately succeeded
in relieving himself from danger, the
lion showed signs of having received
considerable injury. Gradually he be-
came low-spirited; he only ate his
food with difficulty; and latterly
what he did eat required to be
cut into small slices. Last week
Mr.. Manders mentioned his concern
for the animal to his family medical
adviser in Glasgow-a gentleman who
occupies high place il the profession
and in public estimation in the city-and
it was suggested in reply that tooth
might might have been injured, or the
jaw broken, by the blow struck by Mac
como Further, the doctor volunteered
to subject the lion to surgical opera
ton, provided Mr.. Manders could prop
erly secure the animal, After some hesi-
tation, prompted by a consideration for
the daring doctors safety, the offer was
accepted, and it was arranged that this
altogether novel experiment in dental
surgery should be attempted. In the
course of the afternoon the fore-paws Of
the lion were caught and bound to the
cage by strong ropes. Aiterward the
head was lassoed," and the ropes were
fastened around the animals neck in
such manner as to prevent, as far as
possible, the movement of the head, and
to force the mouth close up against the
bars. Thus secured, the lion was allowed
to exhaust himself by his struggles TO
shake himself free, and terribly fierce and
violent was the rage he displayed. The
poor brute howled frightfully and the cage
shook as if it would 50 to pieces under
stress of the plunging and tearing. When
the doctor, accompanied by medical
friend, arrived, he mounted on a tub in
front Of the cage, and Immediately set to
work A piece of wood was placed to
the lions mouth, and at once the beast
made a snap. Then q pitchfork was held
up, and, placed in the mouth kept it
open, while the inside was thoroughly
washed. Afterwords the doctor, push
ing his arm between the bars into the
lion mouth, and running his hand over
the teeth, found one of the grinders
loose, and concluded that this was the-I
cause of the animals trouble. A ter
rible struggle ensued, during which every
person present, with the exception OF
the doctor himself showed great alarm
for his safety. The lion plunged more
vigorously, and howled more frightfully
than ever tossing his head from side to
side, and at times forcing his hinder as
well us MS lrOHt paws dBdlhep bhS DehS'
But ultimately the doctor triumphed over
all difficulties and dangers. BY means
Of powerful forceps, he extracted the
loose tooth, which was found broken and
diseased near the root. When the task
had been completed the lion sat down
completely exhausted, and while he lay
steady and quiet the doctor cut the flesh
over the jaw and found the bone Sc
verely injured, if not broken. 1t was,
however, deemed inexpedient to subject
the beast to another operation, and the
excision of the injured bone has accord
ingly been postponed until it is seen
whether it occasions any serious incon-
venienee. The latestbulletins announce
that the monstrous patient is making |
progress. Meanwhile the
doctor has prescribed beef tea and claret
and, under such nourishment, it is to be
hoped that the lion will soon recover
health and vigor. Altogether, including
the hour during which the animal was
bound before the doctor set to work, the |
operation T" lasted about an hour and a
half. .r. a.l