Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-06-18
A Jack-Screw Between His Teeth.
New York Tribune.

A slender man of quiet and respect
able appearance, sitting ia Sixth
avenue elevated train, last evening,
drew from his inner coat pocket a
narrow steel rod about six inches Ia
length. The 1od was flat and the
width of an ordinary leadpencil. At
one end there was q small slot in it.
80 curious an implement and the pre-
occupied manner of the man attracted
the attention of the other passengers
IN the car. A lady opposite, accom-
panied by a little boy, glanced with
alarm toward the conductor, who VS.
lntehtly watching the man. AS tae
latter put the slotted end of the steel
rod In his mouth. The man shut his
teeth together and his face underwent
series of contortions as he worked
hls hand with motion as if he were
Tightening up a loose nut on a bolt
The lady became so agitated that she
lett her seat and took one nearer the
door.
You needn't be frightened marin. y
said the conductor, Il guess that's
only the circus man with the iron
jaw"
What in the worlds the matter
with him?' asked the lady.
Il guess he is only tightening up
his Jaw, marm," replied the conduc-
tor, consolingly. :
The man had now finished the
operation, and he restored the steel
rod to his pocket. Then he took out
his memorandum book and made
some entries in 1t carefully, and. hay
ing finished these entries, he remark
ed to his neighbor in the adioinino
seat, as he closed the book:
Science does remarkable things in
these days"
The neighbor nodded.
Now, [ don't suppose you would
have the least idea that had a lack
screw between two of my teeth. -
"A jack-screw?' inquired his neigh
Dor.
Yes" returned the man, smiling.
I'm undergoing dental operation,
One of my teeth had been extracted.
and one of those adjoining it began
to grow over in the vacant space. It
was good tooth, and | didn't waDtit
pull led, but the dentist couldn't get If
back to its place, until one day an idea
struck him and he said he'd put a
jack-screW IN there. So he made one.
1t is less than a quarter of an inch
long, but it is made on the same
principle as the other jack screws:
just on a smaller scale, you see"
us there no danger of its slipping
out.'
ooh, not at all, my dear sir. It is
very ingenious little contrivance.
The whole thing is made of gold and
the nut by which it is turned is next
to the face; you saw me turn it lust
now? Well, [ turn it once around
every twenty>four hours, and that
tarn is equal to about a 250th part of
an inch. Then, you see, [ make a
memorandum of each turn. Generally
turn it twice day, but only half
way round each time. I expect it
will take two or three weeks to
straighten the tooth"
lis it uncomfortable?
mo, not especially. A little un-
pleasant when ana turning it. Makes
me grit my teeth some, but I soon get
used to having it there The only
objection is that gold is little too
soft metal where there is so much
pressure brought to bear. You see,
tne screw is very slender wire and
the thread on it is very delicate,
though it feels as thoagh the whole
thing was :, foot long and as big as
those used under building. A day
or two after I began to use it the
thread snapped under the strain.
Then [ thought there was dynamite
cartridge in my mouth and the whole
top of my head was coming Off But
it did not hurt me. The dentist is
going to make one out of platinuna
in case this should give out. That is
a harder metal. This Is my station.
Good night" and the man with the
jackscrew between his teeth left the