Nothing better, in truth, could have been done with such imperfect instruments. But it is possible that even then there perhaps existed, for the extraction of teeth, other instruments, so shaped as to be able to act with greater force. Abulcasis himself[217] alludes to the existence of dental instruments not mentioned by him. It is probable, therefore, that the barbers, in spite of the scorn with which Abulcasis overwhelms them, used, for the extraction of teeth, forceps far more suitable than those described by him. These individuals, certainly unfurnished with a scientific education, must have had, however, a great practice in the extraction of teeth, being perhaps almost the only ones to whom recourse was had for this operation. They performed it very quickly, as may be argued from the words of Abulcasis himself. It is no wonder, therefore, that not unfrequently the work of these _fatui tonsores_[218] was the cause of more or less serious injuries, but for the most part it had the advantage of not making the patients suffer excessive torture. Another very interesting chapter is that which treats of the extraction of dental roots and fragments of the maxillary bone.[219] [Illustration: FIG. 41, FIG. 42 Forceps for extracting the root when the tooth breaks in the extraction. These figures are evidently very badly drawn, as are most of the figures to be seen in Abulcasis’ work.] When, says the author, on extracting a tooth, this breaks, so that the root remains in the socket, it is necessary first of all to soften the part, by applying for a day and a night, or for two days, some cotton wool well smeared with butter; then attempts must be made to extract the root with a pair of forceps, the jaws of which are like the beak of a pheasant or stork. [Illustration: FIG. 43 Elevator to be used when the extraction of a root by means of the root forceps proves impossible (Abulcasis).] If this is not successful, it is necessary to remove with a scalpel the whole of the gum which covers the root; then under it must be insinuated a small elevator having the shape here below represented. If not even in this way can the end be attained, recourse must be made to one of the following instruments, choosing that which in every particular case seems to be the most suitable. Besides these, says the author, use may be also made of some of the instruments which serve for the removal of tartar. It is precisely in this chapter that Abulcasis speaks of the great variety and multiplicity of dental instruments; which, he says, cannot, like other kinds of instruments, be all enumerated and described. He then adds that a skilful surgeon will be able to devise new instruments, according as the peculiarities of each single case require them. [Illustration: FIG. 44] [Illustration: FIGS. 45, 46, 47] [Illustration: FIG. 48 Elevators (Abulcasis.)]