When Elephants Have Toothache.

Southland Times, Issue 19264, 30 January 1904, Page 1 (Supplement)

When Elephants Have Toothache.

It is not easy to tell when an elephant has got toothache, but it is best to keep out of his way when vou do know it. A surgeon, who has been for many years in India, says he would sooner risk a railway accident than meet an elephant so afflicted. It is stated that toothache affects these animals in a more severe uuuuier than it does any others, Elephnnts have very sensitive nerve?, nnd a touch of toothache often brings on madness. Providing you are able to chain down an elephant and draw out the offending tooth, the brute ia certain to be affectionate to yo-.: afterwards. Here ls an instance. An elephant in Dongal becume affected with toothache, but Ihe keepers managed to secure it while a dentist drew a decayed tooth— the cause of the trouble. After a time the elephant seemed to understand that the dentist was trying to do something for his pain and gave every evidence of appreciating the attention. When the operation was over he positively danced round the dentist.