Summary:

Norman Swindlehurst (NS) was interviewed many times by W.R. Mitchell (WRM). In this segment Norman describes what life was like with toothache before the National Health Service.

Transcript:

WRM: What was the blacksmith like, Capstick?

NS: Well, he was Capstick. ’e was a tremendous, big fella and stout an’ he was eighteen stones weight, an’ he used to draw teeth for yer as well.

WRM: Have you had teeth drawn by him?

NS: No, I haven’t, but I’ve seen fellas go there but I wouldn’t. He ’ad an’ old couch an’ you sat on this couch an’ he got his knee on yer; an’ when he got ’is knee on yer, you didn’t get away ’til the tooth came out.

WRM: What did he pull them out with?

NS: Ee, just some pliers ’e ’ad, an’ ’e give yer nothin’.

WRM: Good heavens. You didn’t have a drink of whisky to start with did you?

NS: No, nothing.

WRM: What did you do about toothache in those days, apart from going to Capstick?

NS: You put up with it, I’ve seen it nearly drive me mad but still I didn’t like going to Capstick.

WRM: Did people used to put stuff on their teeth?

NS: Yes, they did. They put whisky on their teeth to stop ‘em aching, and there’s something else they used to put on.