DR. LEGEAR'S STOCK BOOK. 53 



loss of condition, etc. A projecting tooth is one that grows longer 

 than the other teeth on account of the opposite tooth immediate- 

 ly over or under it becoming decayed or having been pulled our, 

 consequently the tooth meeting with no resistance grows out 

 longer than is natural, and causes much pain and irritation. 



When a long projecting tooth is found, it becomes necessary 

 to reduce it to a level with the other teeth. The best instrument 

 for this purpose is a pair of molar cutters (Figs. 7a, 7b), after 

 which file off the roughness with a tooth-rasp. Then feed the 

 animal on soft feed for a few days, and in the course of ten days 

 or a fortnight he will have improved to such an extent as to be 

 hardly recognizable as the same horse. But at the same time 

 don't fail to give in the feed Dr. LeGear's Condition Powders. 



In all cases where horses "quid" their food, where they are 

 slobbering, or where they show pain in chewing the food, shown 

 by holding their head to one side, the teeth should be carefully 

 examined, 



DECAYED TEETH. 



This is indicated by gradual decay or wasting away of the 

 tooth-substance in small particles. It is quite a common condi- 

 tion, especially in connection with the grinders (back teeth), 

 although none of the teeth are free from the trouble. Decay 

 may commence in any part of the tooth. It is by no means as 

 common in the lower animals as in man, on account of people 

 eating so many sweets, etc., which have a bad effect on the teeth. 



Causes. Decayed teeth may arise from a great many differ- 

 ent causes, but the most common cause is some injury to the 

 tooth, caused by taking into the mouth with the food some hard 

 substance, as a piece of iron, pebble, etc., which during the act 

 of chewing comes into contact with the tooth, breaks its cover- 



