REPORT ON THE DISEASES OF FARM HORSES. 28. r > 



frequently, by penetrating the bones beyond, cause disease of 

 them. Penknives are also used, by which the artery of the 

 palate is divided, and a flow of blood produced, which proves 

 difficult to arrest, and of great danger. 



In aged animals, the teeth, particularly the molars, exhibit 

 irregularities, which also prove of great inconvenience. There 

 is no reason to doubt the horse suffers acutely from toothache ; 

 his teeth become carious, and in consequence of exposure of the 

 dental nerve, endures the too well known twinge, and may be 

 seen lying, his head on the manger, or standing gloomily at 

 some distance from the much desired food. The breath discloses 

 the real state of things — food within the cavity of the tooth 

 undergoing the putrefactive stage, imparts its noisome odour. 

 The animal loses condition, and as the affected tooth softens 

 and breaks down, its antagonist grows, and having nothing to 

 keep it in check by natural wear, assumes an inordinate length. 

 It is at this time that much additional pain is experienced by 

 the constant approximation of the monster tooth with the 

 softened and diseased structures opposite ; inflammation of the 

 bones, &c, takes place, and a discharge from the nostrils of 

 various characters will indicate either the maturation of an 

 abscess, or softening and caries of the bones, exhibiting in such 

 cases facial tumours, which in the end may defy art and science 

 to restore to a state of health and usefulness. 



The catalogue of complaints in connexion with, or resulting 

 from, teething, are numerous and exceedingly troublesome after 

 time has been allowed to elapse. In early stages but simple 

 measures are needed, which may be said always to be successful. 

 These are early attention to the mouth ; remove when possible 

 all ascertained loose shell teeth ; keep the bowels under proper 

 action, which, after a judicious dose of laxative medicine, can be 

 easily accomplished by bran mashes, or boiled corn when neces- 

 sary, succulent food, as green clover, grass, turnips, parsnips, 

 carrots, &c, &c, allowing for drink hay tea, and a cool, loose 

 box in summer, with adequate clothing under changeable 

 temperature. 



With reference to the farm horse, descriptions of the foregoing- 

 diseases, and the injunctions concerning them, may appear super- 

 fluous, but as a result of some years' practical acquaintance with 

 such states, I am confident that in his case, were greater attention 

 paid at proper seasons, many animals would be preserved to the 

 farmer in all their valuable usefulness, and others would be saved 

 which now fall victims to the results of allowing such diseases 

 to arise and proceed unheeded, unaided, in the belief that 

 assistance is not required, and that all will end well. 



Choking is not uncommon in some districts in the farm horse, 



