Some years ago my dentist thought it necessary to remove a wisdom tooth that had come through the gums in a semiupright position. This dentist knew that I was a Christian Scientist, and I asked him if he would extract the tooth without using any kind of anæsthetic. He said he would do as I desired, so I asked him to let me have a few moments to work for myself, which he considerately did; and I remember I said aloud, thinking of Mrs. Eddy's words on page 488 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," "Now, if I can know that the 'nerves [of a tooth] have no more sensation, apart from what belief bestows upon them, than the fibres of a plant,' I shall be all right." The tooth was pried upright and extracted, and I experienced no fear or pain whatever.
Then erroneous thoughts caused me to question whether or not I could ever have such a clear understanding of Truth again if needed under similar circumstances. I found that I could, because not long after this another wisdom tooth was extracted without either fear or pain being experienced, and again without any anæsthetic being used. This time the metaphysical work was done at home before I went to the dentist. This tooth was harder to extract, for it had not been loosened by being pried upright as the other had been; it made a cracking sound when it was broken from the process, which caused the dentist some alarm for a moment because he thought he had broken the root. When I heard the crack, a slight sensation, not pain, was noticed for a moment.
Again, fear and pain were entirely overcome at the time a boil appeared on my chin. Prior to its appearance an itching sensation was noticed. After I began to work with the truth, there was no more itching, and no pain was ever felt. The material evidence of the boil developed rapidly and went through the stages laid down by mortal mind in a shorter time than is usual in such cases under medical care, discharging without any material aid and healing almost immediately, leaving no scar.
