The Midwest pioneer, his ills, cures, & doctors - University Library ...

163
were not always accorded the greatest regard ; for example,
one writer used more than a column of the front page of
the Cincinnati National Republican and Ohio Political
Register, August 10,1824, to discuss "The Tooth-Drawer,"
who "is a most savage little animal" and who "desires that
the world had but one tooth that he might wrench it out
by a single twist! . . . He has the confidence to consider a
man's throat as public property, and will intrude himself
into his mouth, ransack his jaws, and pilfer him of his
teeth, without the least hesitation .... He has no time
nor inclination to think of anything, save ravishing people
of their teeth. A Tooth Drawer is as forward as he is foolish—
as important as he is ignorant— and as impenetrable
as he is impertinent."
In 1837 in Columbus "Mr. Powell, Operative Dentist"
had "on hand a beautiful and well selected assortment of
PORCELAIN TEETH, consisting of French and American
Manufacture, which, in point of strength, beauty, and
durability, is superior to any other material that has ever
been used for artificial teeth." By 1840 in Cincinnati was
used a "new substance, like clay, [which] pushed firmly
in the teeth, hardens in a day or two like the tooth itself."
Such a feat in an era of hard times and bank failures called
forth the comment from a newspaper editor that it was
now possible to mend almost everything except dishonesty.
Dentistry was usually practiced, not as a specialty, but
in conjunction with medicine. One of the first opportunities,
if not the first, for dental instruction in schools in the
West was offered when Dr. John Harris of Bainbridge,
Ohio, announced in the Chillicothe Supporter and Gazette,
November 1, 1827, the opening of his "School of Medical
Instruction," equipped with:
"Anatomical preparations and Chemical Apparatus, sufficiently
extensive for the exhibition of many important
experiments. He will deliver Lectures, during the winter
season, at least once a week on each of the following
branches, viz.: Demonstrative Anatomy, Operative Surgery
and Chemistry; and during the summer season he will