334 VE TERINAR Y DENTAL S URGER Y. 



Gutta percha is useful for temporary fillings, or 

 fillings where there is not much wear, as cavities in 

 the labial surface of the incisors. It is very easily 

 introduced ; all that is necessary is a spirit lamp to 

 warm it until it becomes plastic or it may be immersed 

 in boiling water, when it will readily conform itself 

 to the cavity. 



FILLING THE TEETH. 



Having considered the instruments, materials and 

 cases in which filling is practical, we will now pro- 

 ceed with the operation, first taking the incisors and 

 then the molars. 



Here we labor under difficulties which the human 

 dental surgeon does not have to contend with ; our 

 patients will not come to our office and sit in a chair 

 with head in any position desired ; on the contrary, 

 we have to work in almost any position to suit him; 

 or confine him, which I dislike to do and only find 

 it necessary in filling the molars. 



I find in operating on the incisors that a gag 

 is very convenient. It should be about eight 

 inches long and three inches in diameter, with a 

 hole about an inch from each end, through which 

 a clothes line is passed and over the top of the head 

 to retain it in the mouth. Around this I wrap a rub- 

 bing cloth to protect the bars of the mouth from in- 

 jury, and it will also absorb a great deal of saliva. 

 If we are going to operate on the lower teeth we 



