Let's talk dental hygiene

[Mission]

Purrman is reciting cures recommended by other surgeons for tooth-aches and he includes this one:

"Dr. Bartholinus makes an Unguent of the Feet of Green Frogs and Opium, of which he puts a little into the hollow Teeth, or anoints the Gums with it, and thinks he can never say enough in its Praise."

Somehow I think the Opium is the active ingredient here.

[William Brand]

I wonder if his particular 'green frog' be of some poisonous or hallucinogenic nature in addition to the active and praiseworthy opium. There is many a time when I would have taken opium and frog while waiting for a dentist appointment that was a week out or more.

[Mission]

That's an interesting point. I had forgotten about the hallucinogenic properties of some frogs. (I mostly just think it's funny that they made a medicine that included frogs. Of course they also made them out of various animal dung, new welpt-puppies and other odd animal bits.)