The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1871-08-04

Drawing n Lions Tooth.

The Glasgow Herald has the fol-
lowing aecOunt of daring feat in
dentistry recently performed in that
| city.
The extraction of a diseased tooth
from the jaw of a vigorous, full
grown lion. Some time ago Mac
como, the famous tanner, long con-
nected with Mr.. Manders' establish
ment, had, while causing the animal
to perform its usual drill, exposed
himself TO one of those fierce attacks
| which, in the course of his perilOus
occupation, he had not frequently
faced. Experience had taught him
| that III such cases a stroke with the
rod, delivered on any part of the
head produced little effect-hat his
only chance of escape from the
threatened attack lay in q vigorous
blow across the jaw or muzle of the
animal. Such a blow had been de-
| livcred on the occasion referred to !;
but W lille MaccOmO fortunately sue
ceeded in relieving himself from
danger, the lion showed signs of
ittlN III lNAClN CA tOAlSAAlNls sADlC &.
Gradually he became low-spirited,
he only cat his food with difficulty 4;
and latterly, what he did eat had to
be cut into small slices. Last week
Mr.. Manders mentioned his concern
for the animal to his family medical
adviser in (ilasgow-a gentleman
who occupied a high place in the pro-
fessiOn and in public estimation in
the city-and it was suggested in re-
ply that n tooth might have been in
jured, or the jaw broken, by the
blow struck by MaccOmo. Further,
the doctor volunteered to subject the
lion to surgical operation, provided
Mr.. Nianders would properly secure
the animal. After some hesitation,
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 wer' caught
and bound to the bars of the cage by
strong ropes. Afterwards the head
was 'lassocd,' and the ropes were
fastened round the animals neck in |
such q 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 terrible, fierce and violent
was the rage he displayed. The
poor brute hOwlcd frightfully. and
the cage shook as if it would 90 to
pieces under the stress Of the p'ung-
ng and tearing. When the dortOr.
accompanied by a medical friend, ar
rived, he mounted on a tub in front
Of the cage, and Immediately set TO
work. y piece of wood Wa- placed
N the lions mouth, and at once the
Deastmadc Il snap. Then pitrhfOrk
vas held up, and, placed in the !
mouth, which kept it open. while the
inside was thoroughly washed. AZ
erward, the doctor, pushing his arm
the bars into the lions
mouth, and running his hand over
he teeth, found one of the grinders /
oOse, and concluded that this was
he cause of the animals trouble. \
errible struggle cnSued, during
which every person present with the
Exception of the doctor himself. !
howed great alarm for his safety.
md howled more frightfully than
.ver, tossing his head from side to
idc, and at times forcing his hinder
S well as his front paws against the ;
,ars. But ultimately the doctor tri-
implied over all difficulties and dam
.Crs. By means Of pow 1rfui forceps
.C extracted the loose tooth, which ,
vas found broken and diseased near J
hc root. When the task had been
the lion sank down COM
.letely exhausted, and while he Law
teady and quiet the doctor cut the
eSh over the jaw, and found the /.
one severely injured, if not broken.
t was, no yever, deemed ineXpedi- :
Mt to subject the beast to another
peratiOn, and the eXcisiOn of the in
Ircd bone has accordingly been [
until it is seen whether il [
ccasiOns any serious Inconvenience. l
he latest bulletins announce that :
he monster patient is making salts
lctoIy progress. Meanwhile, the '
ocior has prescribed beef tea and
Iaret, and under such nourishment, 4
. is hoped the lion will soon recover t
ealth AID yigor. Although, inclu- 5
ing the hour during which the ami f
lal was bound before the doctor set 5
, work, the operation lasted about t
n hour and a half" a