160 VETERINARY DENTAL SURGERY. 



present more frequently than is generally supposed ; 

 and when present is most often found in connection 

 with the sixth molar of the lower jaw. These points 

 should be removed. It may be accomplish- 

 ed in the same manner as other sharp and 

 projecting points. The wounds made by 

 these projecting points often become very 

 troublesome, and remain for a long time 

 after the cause has been removed. To fa- 

 cilitate their healing, touch them with a 

 stick of nitrate of silver (lunar caustic) 

 once a day for two or three days, or a wash 

 composed of alum, sulphate of zinc (white 

 vitriol), and distilled water may be used. 

 The nitrate of silver is preferable and 

 most easily applied. Keep the animal on 

 soft food for a few days and occasionally 

 cleanse the parts with a soft sponge. 



TREATMENT. 



In removing the sharp projecting edges, 

 either the rasp and closed molar cutters, or 

 the rasp alone may be used. The closed 

 molar cutter, Fig. 40, is an excellent 

 FIG. 40. instrument for facilitating the work, 

 lar^cutter ^he outs ^ e f trie upper and the inside 

 of the lower molars may be clipped and then 

 smoothed with the tooth rasp, Fig. 41. There 

 is practically no danger of fracturing the teeth 



