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been lost, which might otherwise long have remained mem-
bers of his masticating system.
* A gentleman of spare habit and nervous temperament,
holding a situation of trust and consequence in
his present
Majesty's Carlton House establishment, was long a victim to
the distressing Tic Douloureux, originating in the pressure of
the first and second bicuspides of the upper jaw ; or what
are called the two small grinding-teeth, during their uninter-
rupted process of pressure on each other's sides, which ulti-
mately consigned them to destruction.
He told me his mis-
ery was most extreme, and that one evening when worn
down with the pain on one hand, and the various remedies
recommended for his relief on the other, he had sought in
repose temporary oblivion from the oppression of the com-
plaint, he was on a sudden so attacked as to induce him to
believe his life had been assailed by the stroke of an assas-
sin. From the respite procured by repose, whether of short
or long duration, he was however, soon disturbed, and his
family alarmed by his piercing shriek, and demand for light.
On his wife arriving at his bed-side with a candle, he eagerly
inquired, who went down stairs? and then exclaimed,
" some one has struck me on the face with an axe ;" at the
same time fearfully, and instinctively carrying his hand to the
supposed cut, and then to the candle, as seeking confirmation
of what in the first moments of his waking agitation, he had
verily believed to have happened.
The period of these par-
oxysms was previous to my appointment as dentist to his
majesty's household ; but subsequent acquaintance with him
having enabled me to trace the course, and the consequence
of the severe complaint to which he had been subjected
; I
could only comment on the peculiar position from whence

By Charles Bevv. London, 1824.