Portrayal of Joseph La Bolle, a French Barber-Surgeon who was treating the sick and informed during the time of lewis and Clark in the area known as St. Charles
Mr. Bolle, Barber-Surgeon Dentist
Begs Leave to inform the Gentry that he will be at Frontier park in St. Charles on May 21st and 22nd, and will wait on them on receiving their commands. He cures the SCURVY in the GUMS, be it ever so bad; first cleans and scales the Teeth from that corrosive tartaous, gritty Substance which hinders the Gums from growing, infects the Breath, and is one of the principal Causes of Scurvy, which, if not timely prevented, eats away the Gums, so that peoples Teeth fall out fresh. He prevents Teeth from growing rotten, keeps such as are decayed from becoming worse, even in old Age, makes the Gums grow firm to the Teeth, and renders them white and beautiful. He displaces teeth and Stumps, after the best and easiest Methods, be they ever so deep sunk in the Socket of the Gums. he has given sufficient Proof of his abilities in this Art to the principal Nobility, Gentry and others of Spain, France, and other Places in Europe and America.
Discussions of additional dental treatments will be presented along with the associated tools for working in the mouth.
Also included in this portrayal will be surgical instruments of the times and associated paraphernalia (medical herbs, spices, and of course Leeches, etc.). An ongoing discussion of the use of these surgical instruments and other common medical practices of that time will take place. Specific areas of discussion will include surgery, bloodletting, purging, blistering, and other forms of treatment prevalent during the early 19th century.
Questions and comments as well as hearty discussions are encouraged.
YOUR HUMBLE and DEVOTED SERVENT
John Murphy