New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-12
THE PL UNKETT TOOTH TETHER.

II Is curious how gossip and newspaper agita-
ton will magnify the Importance Of a given evil
to the almost total exclusion of really much
greater evil Thus, we hear of but little now
adays except the grippe The newspapers are full
of grippe; men stop friends on the street to talk
grippe; the stranger in the next seat on the ele
waited tells you confdentially of his grippe; yet
in the course Of a century, or even of a decade,
there is a cause which numbers ten times as many
victims of which we hear scarcely word. No
note of warning is raised concerning this scourge
to which we refer. The authorities do not recog
nize it, "Od Subscriber" and Taxpayer" send
letters to the editor giving receipts for its GER
tain cure. Yet the matter is one which should
give the thoughtful pause and engage the earnest
attention Of the scientific mind. To what can we
refer but the inadvertent swallowing of false
teeth, with the choking to death which usually
follows? No less than three persons in different
parts Of the country were reported as victims Of
false -teeth-taking internally this week, and who
can say how many others swept off in the
same way without being noticed or whose deaths
were concealed by INSCRIPTIONS physicians who
have alleged heart failure as the cause?
There is nothing in a case like this so valuable
as statistics. Figures, some one has said, cannot
lie. Let us step aside and examine the records
was first inquired into by the Government in the
census Of 1910. 1t wos found that during the
preceding year twelve persons had met their death
from choking on false teeth. This does not seem
large but note the increase in 1850, when no less
than tbirty-eight were carried away. The in
crease has been no less rapid since. In 1860
there were lO7 victims reported, and 1870 found
the number increased to 324. The next census
that of 1880, gives us 1,002, while the figures o
the last census, taken year ago, are simply ap
Mailing. showing as they do that 1870 persons ha
been cut of by the false teeth habit during til
preceding year. Yet we talk Of grippe and qua
aptine against yellow fever
It is said that the occasion always produces
the man. and the present case seems to confn |
the idea Just as our people passing hopelessY
into the grasp of false teeth deliverer appeal |
Samuel Plunllett, of Sag Harbor. Mich, hs
patented an appliance for keeping false teeth OF
OF the throat, and If 1t is q success the net |
census should show marked decrease in &c |
mortality caused by the dangerous and obnoXids |
artificial teeth Mr. Plunllett did not make ne |
first attempt in this line. AS long ago as Sc q |
man named Jewell of Windsor Conn. devise a |
plan for fastening the false toOth-plate TO jhe |
roof of the mouth with mucllage, but it wasnot |
q success The mucilage could not be depeded |
on to hold After lulling the victim into tate |
of security it would suddenly give way and How |
the teeth to slip down and hopclessly clog the
breathing apparatus. few years late one
SimOns, Of Philadelphia, was given a pater on a
kind of cement, but this held the teeth place
so soldly that they could not be remoed for
repairs or alterations, and was finally abadoned.
Mr. Plunkett has worked on entirely diTerlt lines.
Catching his idea from the cord comuny at |
tached to eyeglasses, he evolved plan fosecuring
artificial teeth absolutely against loss and at
the same time leaving them free to b removed
from the mouth at any time. His plaTis simple,
as are most great inventions, and cosists of
fine but strong gold chain riveted the plate
and passing out Of the corner Of the muth, where
IL may be festooned over the ear I'D fastened
TO the coat collar with little hook, otherwise
disposed Of In case the teeth areaccidentaly
swallowed they can be readily drawback by the
chain before serious results follow. Many people
in Sag Iiarbor are using the Plnnett Artificial
Tooth Anchor, as we learn from q rcular issued
by the inventor from which we AVE also eX-
tracted our facts, including the about the
census, and it seems that one dang TO the human
race is about TO become thing othe past