Illustrates with 100 plates various early depictions of the martyrdom of St. Apollonia, patron saint of dentistry. Saint Apollonia was one of a group of virgin martyrs who suffered in Alexandria, Egypt during a local uprising against the Christians prior to the persecution of Decius. According to church tradition, her torture included having all of her teeth violently pulled out or shattered. For this reason, she is regarded as the patroness of dentistry and of those suffering from toothache or other dental problems.