32 VETERINARY DENTAL SURGERT, 



first and second pairs to attain their growth. The 

 third pair is cut at from six to nine or ten months, the 

 time varying much more than for the other teeth. 

 It also takes longer for this pair to develop, usually 

 about three months. 



The cutting of these teeth, unlike those of chil- 

 dren, do not seem to give any trouble whatever to 

 the animal. The gums do not swell or tumefy, but 

 retain their natural appearance. 



During this time the foal feeds well, seemingly 

 suffering no inconvenience during mastication. 



The milk teeth are smaller and whiter, with a 

 better marked neck than the permanent teeth. (Fig. 



6-5). 



The outside covering, the encircling enamel, is 



very thin and nearly transparent. This milky white- 

 ness *" is due to the absence of crusta petrosa; their 

 crown is finely striated and not cannular on the an- 

 terior surface. The external infundibulum is shal- 

 low; they are not constantly pushed out from their 

 cavities, their growth ceasing when they begin to be 

 used." 



The central pair of incisors is the longest and the 

 corner one the smallest. The average size of the in- 

 cisor teeth is about an inch and a quarter in length, 

 one half to three-fourths inches wide, and about 

 three-eighths of an inch in diameter; convex on their 



*Chauveau. 



