Categories
Medicine

Stabbed in the heart by false teeth

In 1844, A trainee dentist named Donald Calder in Edinburgh with no front teeth, made himself dentures to seem more reputable. Poorly-built, his boss advised not to sleep with them in. He ignored the warning and accidentally swallowed them. After a few days of seeking medical help he started to vomit blood and very quickly died.
His false teeth had stabbed him in his aorta.

Sketch of Donald Calder’s aorta and where his dentures (bottom left) stabbed him it in.
Close up of Donald’s dentures.

Categories
Folklore Medicine

Vermiform Dentistry

In parts of Sutherland, a cure for toothache was carrying a live earthworm in your mouth, walking to the next parish without speaking, and safely returning the poor worm to the earth. Usually done at night so to not offend folk by not saying hello!