"A Polyclinic at the Beginning of the 14th Century"-From an Etching attributed to M.VIAU, a French Artist.

This etching of a medieval clinic of more than 500 years ago appears to be a crude early beginning of our modern clinics. It illustrates the diversity of treatment rendered there. Of major interest to us is the presence of a Dentist treating his patient (in the right background). There are dental instruments clearly visible in the cabinet on the back wall.

"Dental Extraction"- Caricature by *George Cruikshank (1792-1878)

The English Caricaturist CRUIKSHANK  makes it apparent that erstwhile dental treatment was feared- not without reason.

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Lifted From Wikipedia:

*George Cruikshank (27 September 1792 – 1 February 1878) was a British caricaturist and book illustrator, praised as the "modern Hogarth" during his life. His book illustrations for his friend Charles Dickens, and many other authors, reached an international audience.

George Cruikshank, 1836
Born	27 September 1792 London, England
Died	1 February 1878 (aged 85) London, England
Nationality	British
Known for	Cartoonist (Caricaturist), Children's Literature

"THE NIGHT" - From an Engraving by HOGARTH

Hogarth was famous for his satirical etchings of life as he saw it in the 17th century. A prominent part of this engraving is the sign of the BARBER- DENTIST and the view through the window of these gentlemen attending their clients.

This pungently witty etching depicts the perils encountered by persons bold enough to venture out at night in the streets of 17th century London.

Not the least of these hazards was visiting the Dentist amidst the confusion and precarious contamination so epigrammatically illustrated here.

"THE ITINERANT TOOTH PULLER"- Painted by JAN VICTORS (1620-1676)

This scene portrays an outdoor dental office. It is quite probable that the delightful charm of the audience and locale is not apparent to the patient. However, if anything could distract his mind from the business at hand, the enchanting surroundings shown here should have done so.