VE TERINAR Y DENTAL S URGERY. 187 



All cases of a similar nature however do not 

 heal so readily. The secretion of pus may cease 

 for a time and the opening close, but whenever the 

 excitability of the alveolar periosteum is increased 

 by any derangement of the system, it is liable to 

 give rise to a recurrence of the disease. 



In such instances it is necessary to excise a circu- 

 lar portion of the skin and flesh around the opening. 

 Even trephining may have to be resorted to in 

 order to prevent the recurrence of pus. Trouble of 

 this nature is rarely experienced if trephining is 

 resorted to at the time of the first operation. 



While preparing this chapter, I was called upon 

 to operate on the teeth of a four-year-old mare, the 

 property of Mr. Goldsmith, of Lafayette, Indiana, 

 which seemed to be suffering from dental irritation. 

 On making an examination of the teeth, the fourth 

 and fifth lower right molars were found slightly de- 

 cayed on the external surface of their free portion. 

 The gums were swollen and very tender to the 

 touch. Tapping the tooth with a pair of forceps 

 produced intense pain. A history of the case was 

 given as follows: The mare had been gradually fail- 

 ing for the last eight months, quidding the food all this 

 time. At the time she was presented for operating, 

 she was very much emaciated. A foul, disagreeable 

 odor emanated from the mouth, the result of decay- 

 ing vegetable matter contained within the teeth. An 



