l artifice, and the
submissive dupes of those travelling quacks and ingenious charlatans,
who in this country are more than commonly successful in ruining the
health and impoverishing the pockets of their devoted patients. An
instance of this occurs to me, which happened to myself when residing in
the south of France.

At one of the great fairs where I was present, there appeared upon an
elevated stage, an elderly and serious-looking gentleman, dressed in a
complete suit of solemn black, with a little child kneeling at his feet.
"Messieurs," said he to the multitude, and bowing with the most perfect
confidence and self-possession--[49]"Messieurs, c'est impossible de
tromper des gens instruits comme vous. Je vais absolument couper la tete
a cet-enfant: _Mais_ avant de commencer, il faut que je vous fasse voir
que je ne suis pas un charlatan. Eh bien, en attendant et pour un espece
d'exorde: Qui est entre vous qui a le mal au dent?" "Moi," exclaimed
instantly a sturdy looking peasant, opening his jaws, and disclosing a
row of grinders which might have defied a shark. "Monsieur, (said the
doctor, inspecting his gums), it is but too true. The disorders
attending these small but inestimable members, the teeth, are invariably
to be traced to a species of worm, and this the most obstinate, as well
as the most fatal species in the vermicular tribe, which contrives to
conceal itself at the root of the affected member. Gentlemen, we have
all our respective antipathies; and it is by means of these that the
most fatal and unaccountable effects are produced upon us. Worms,
gentlemen, have also their prevailing antipathies. To subdue the animal,
we have only to become acquainted with its disposition. The worm, Sir,
at the bottom of your tooth, is of that faculty or tribe which _abhors
copper_. It is the vermis halcomisicus, _or copper-hating worm_. Upon
placing this penknife in the solution contained in this bottle,"
(continued he, holding up a small phial, which contained a
green-coloured liquid), "it is, you see, immediately changed into
copper." The patient then, at the doctor's request, approached. A female
assistant stood between him and the crowd, and in a few minutes the
tooth was delivered of a worm, which, from its size, might certainly
have given the toothache to the Dragon of Wantley,

"Who swallow'd the Mayor, asleep in his chair,
And pick'd his teeth with the mace."

The peasant declared he felt no more pain,