According to John Adams, Washington lost his teeth as the result of cracking Brazil nuts between his jaws. By the time he became President, he had but a single tooth left and a set of dentures fashioned from cow's teeth. In hopes of finding something better, Washington contacted a leading dentist in Philadelphia, who produced a state-of-the-art set carved, not from wood, but from hippopotamus tusk. The new dentures were thoughtfully drilled with a hole to fit over his one remaining tooth. Unfortunately, they also rubbed against this natural tooth, causing more or less constant pain for which the President took laudanum.
Laudanum is a pain-killer in the same family as opium. Imagine if, today, the President were a frequent user of opiate medications!
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a pp.5-6 b p.6
Comment: Devotes one chapter to each President, through Clinton. Written for the layperson, well-referenced, with areas of speculation clearly identified, Dr. Zebra depends heavily on this book. Dr. Bumgarner survived the Bataan Death March and has written an unforgettable book casting a physician's eye on that experience.
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a p.96
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Comment: Picture of a set of Washington's dentures, complete with springs. |
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a p.6
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Comment: Available on the web at: http://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/spring_1994_george_washington_1.html |