The story reveals a rather grim yet intriguing encounter with a man named Mr. Murphy, who resided in Ellis Ward, where the narrator also lives. The narrator describes how they extracted a painful, decayed tooth from Mr. Murphy's mouth. The extraction is depicted as a swift and somewhat merciless act, emphasizing the urgency of relieving Mr. Murphy's suffering.

This encounter highlights the intense state of pain Mr. Murphy was experiencing, to the extent that he could hardly think clearly or recall even simple details, such as his own name. The narrative suggests a blend of both compassion and stark reality in dealing with medical emergencies, portraying the challenges faced in such situations.