In the Stable, Field, and on the Road. 183 



two molar teeth, and upon cleaning out the teeth, he 

 found oats that had sprouted to the extent of a quarter 

 of an inch. He cleaned all the teeth out and then 

 filled the cavities with warm gutta-percha, and smoothed 

 the surface with a hot iron ; after this the horse fed 

 well and soon got into good condition, and remained so 

 for two years afterwards. The writer occasinally looked 

 to the teeth, and if any of the gutta-percha fell out lie 

 replaced it. When horses are out of condition from 

 had teeth it is always advisable to put them through a 

 course of medicine, as they often suffer from indigestion 

 consequent upon swallowing food in an unmasticated 

 state, and for this purpose nothing is better than that 

 recommended earlier in this work for canker in the 

 mouth. The lips of the horse are often lacerated and 

 become sore by the smallness of the bit, or by the un- 

 merciful rough hands of the rider or driver, and also 

 from the shortness of the snaffle. Some people are 

 foolish enough to gag the horse with the snaffle, and will 

 give as an excuse for such cruel treatment that they 

 do not like to see the bridle hang loosely on the 

 horse's head. This wretched system often results in the 

 horse having sores at the angle of the mouth, and some- 

 times poll-evil is the result of their foolish fashion. The 

 severe excoriation of these parts produces deep ulcers, 

 which cannot be removed while the animal is at work. 

 Washing the mouth with alum and water is the best 

 curative which we know ; if the sore becomes callous, it 

 may be necessary to touch the sides of the wound with 

 nitrate of silver. Few persons are aware of the very 

 great importance of the lips of the horse ; they are the 



