Toothache Cures???

[Capt. Hamp Cox]

There were several things you could do before you got down to the gritty business of pulling the tooth with a pair of wire pliers.  If it wasn't too bad, you might start out by driving a nail into an oak tree.  That was supposed to help...provided you could find an oak tree.  The bark from prickly ash would help if you could stand the taste and tingle.  In fact it will kill the whole bottom part of your face if you could keep it in your mouth long enough.  There were also other things like thistle or even pine cones boiled in water.  All of these had a narcotic effect that would stop the pain now; but what about tomorrow?  You just had to get rid of that tooth because everyone knows a hurting tooth has worms in it.  Most everybody would drink whiskey to kill the worms.  If that didn't do the job, at least it would get you ready for that pair of "war" pliers...which could very easily lead to a broken jaw.  It was safer just to drink the whiskey.**

**From the December 1970 Westerner magazine

[Joyce (AnnieLee)]

Thanks, but I think I'll stick to clove oil.

<Dang, he's getting good at giving me the shudders, isn't he?>



AnnieLee

[Capt. Hamp Cox]

Thanks, but I think I'll stick to clove oil.

<Dang, he's getting good at giving me the shudders, isn't he?>



AnnieLee

Just an ol' softee.  Not enough of the pioneer spirit.

[Joyce (AnnieLee)]

Just an ol' softee.  Not enough of the pioneer spirit.

Pish and posh, clove oil is PC!

So there!



AnnieLee

[Capt. Hamp Cox]

AnnieLee

Just an ol' softee.  Not enough of the pioneer spirit.

Pish and posh, clove oil is PC!

So there!



AnnieLee
[/quote]

A little oil of the snake might be better.

[Capt. Hamp Cox]

AnnieLee

Just an ol' softee.  Not enough of the pioneer spirit.

Pish and posh, clove oil is PC!

So there!



AnnieLee

A little oil of the snake might be better.
[/quote]

[Russ T Chambers]

I always got a kick out of Sgt. Creever in "They rode West"!  He went to the new fort doctor, Dr. Seward, for a shot of whiskey for his bad tooth.  He would start to "hold it on the tooth", but managed to have an excuse to swallow before it had the required effect, therefore needing another dose.  This went on until the Doc. Told him to say "goodbye" before taking his last dose! 

[Capt. Hamp Cox]

A devil of a toothache.

[RRio]

Mouth rinsed/switshed with very salty warm water.