Collecting a Dental Payment during the Civil War - a Case of Persistence

The livelihood of the practicing dentist depends upon timely payment for the dental services provided. Receiving payment has never been an entirely predictable occurrence. There are countless reasons that commonly delay the collection of a dental debt and sometimes the debtor is forgiven when the amount of debt is outweighed by the perceived difficulty of collecting it. This narrative tells the story of a perseverant dentist, Dr. Lloyd Macgill and his successful pursuit of a debt while the Civil War raged on, at times not far from his office, and long after the death of the patient who owed him for services rendered.