> 
792 
For ibe Monthly Magazine. 
ACCOUNT OF AN INSECT, SAID TO 
BE ENDOWED WITH A REMARK-~ 
ABLE PROPERTY. 
By. Dr. BEDDOES. i 
7p HE power imputed to this infect, will 
render it an objeét of curiofity to 
thofe who fhall not regard its hiftory as fa- 
bulous. This was not long fince publifhed 
at Florence, by Prof. Gerbi, who names 
at, curculio anti-odontalgicus. He relates, 
that if 14 or 15 of the Jarve be rubbed 
petween the thumb and fore-finger, till 
the Auid is abforbed ; and if a carious ach- 
ing tooth be éouched withthe thumb or fin- 
zer fo prepared, the pain will be remov- 
ed. If there be a hole in the fide, the 
tooth muft be held between the thumb 
and finger : when the hole is on the top, 
3t is only neceffary to prefs on the tooth. 
In thofe cafes, where the pain is remeve- 
able by this method, it abates almoft in- 
ftantaneoufly, and in a few minutes total- 
ly ceafes. ‘The pain is fometimes more 
obftinate, not diminifhing in lefs than 
eight or ten minutés; and requires re- 
peated touching, ‘Lo prevent a return, 
the tooth fhould be touched two or three 
times after it is become quite eafy. 
pain is fometimes permanently removed ; 
at others it returns, but may be removed 
inthe fame way. The author has feldom 
found that ic would not yield after a Sith | 
or fixth return. A piece of chamoy lea- 
ther will ferve equally with the finger ; 
and I muff not conceal from the reader, 
that a prepared finger is faid to retain its 
virtue for a year, unlefs it be uted’ for 
rooth-touching ! Prof. Gert’, forefees 
how ridiculous this part of bis narrative 
will found. He affures us, however, 
that a multitude of fats, collected by 
‘himinthe fpace of five years, lay him 
under the neceffity of admitting its authen- 
ticity. Nay, he mentions above fx hun- 
dred cafes, noted down by himfelf and 
others, im which the tooth-ache was cured 
by this method. In’ thefe: cates. a, 
the pain returned no more, or after along 
interval; 2, it ceafed for five or fix 
days; 3, itceafed but for a little while, 
er was only mitigated; or, 4, no effect 
followed. Succefs was moft certain 
when the caufe of the pain was local., Of 
twenty-eight perfons much troubled with 
the tooth-ache twenty-five never after- 
wards fuffered confiderably. The author 
thinks, the other three did not prepare 
‘their finger properly, or that the finger 
could not be laid over the hole from its 
fituation. 
The infe&t is found on a non-defcript, 
Dr. Beddoes on a remarkable Infeét. 
but very common, carauvus, which this au- 
thor terms, c. /pinof/iffimus. He gives a fi- 
gure of the plant, and minutely gives the 
natural hiftory of the infeét. Inipecu- 
lating on the mode of operation, he does 
not efcape the ufual fate of us phyfictans. 
Nor will his nonfenfe entertain by its in- 
genuity. He thinks the fluids of the in- 
fet neutralize the fanies or difcharge 
from the carious tooth. He adds, that 
the perfect infeét, as long as it contains 
much fluid, will anfwer as well as the 
larva. The Tufcan peafants have long © 
been acquainted with the infeéts which © 
furnith a charm for the tooth-ache: as 
the curculio jaecac, curc. Bacchus, cara- 
bus chryfacephalus 3 which are found either 
in the artichoke or carduus hemorboidrahs. 
~ Now, Mr. Editor, I know not how far 
you and your readers will look upon this 
account as more credible than an duzmal 
magnetifn ftory. Faith will, probably, 
not be wholly independent of the ftate 
of the teeth; for bodily fuffering ren- 
ders us extremely credulous, as is alike 
evident, from the hiftory of quacks and 
regular phyficians. It we thould not 
foon be able to procure impregnated 
chamoy leather, by way of Leghorn, our 
Britith boranifts and entomologifts will, 
perhaps, be able to deteét the carduus 
/pinofiffimis, and its fingular inhabitant. 
Inorder to enable them, I will, if you 
pleafe, 'tranferibe their characters for in- 
fertion in your next Number. 
Clifton. Nov. 10, 4796. 

To Correfpondents. 
"THE Controverfy concerning the Talents of 
Women has proved {fo prolific, that we 
mutt beg leave to decline inferting any farther 
letters on the fubje&. We think it cannot be 
better clofed,than by giving the lady the lairword. 
To our numerous poet'cal correfpondents, we 
take the liberty to hint, that in the prefent ftate 
of correétnefs which the art of verfification is ar- 
rived at, grofs faults in meafure and rhyme re- 
ceive fo little indulgence from the public, that 
no credit is to be obtained either by the writer 
or editor of piecesthus defective. We are forry 
to obferve, that feveral communicatlons, ‘70? 
woid of merit in other refjieEis, are rendered inad~ 
miffible by negligence in thefe points. 
We are foriy Mr. Timothy, 138314 &c, 
fhould have fo much trouble relative to favours 
which do not fuit us. | 
X Q.W. Z. is requefted to favour us with 
the loan ofa copy of the mufical work he alludesto. 
Once more we are compelled to intreat the 
induigence of feveral correfpondents, whofe fa- 
yours are deferred, from the prefs of temporary 
matter. Perhaps, we cannot too often repect 
the necefiity we are under of preferring concife 
communications to thofe of greater length, 
