CHAPTER V. 



DENTAL DIAGNOSIS. 



Examination of the incisors (see page 113). 



Examination of the horse's mouth preceding the usual 

 dental operations is done in the standing position, by palpa- 

 tion and inspection. 



Palpation of the mouth. — As the horse's mouth is a 

 dark, deep cavern its examination for the detection of the 

 common irregularities must depend chiefly upon manual ex- 

 ploration. For this purpose the mouth speculum or a gag 

 may be used. The expert, however, requires neither, but 

 passes the hand v,nth the greatest freedom, ease and leisure 

 to any and all parts of the mouth, without inconvenience to 

 the horse or injury or danger to himself. To accomplish 

 that valuable attainment the halter is removed and the head 

 is held from being thrown upward by an assistant holding 

 one hand on the nose and the other on the poll. The diag- 

 nostician stands directly facing the horse, and passes the 

 right hand into the left commissure of the mouth, across the 

 interdental space into the space between the tongue and 

 molar teeth on the opposite (left) side. The palm of the 

 hand faces the teeth and the dorsum the tongue. In this 

 position the tongue of the horse is not forced into any un- 

 comfortable attitude and the mouth is not forcibly opened. 

 The hand may then be passed gently backward to the fauces 

 and the fingers may be extended over the tables of the teeth 

 without danger or injury. The secret of success is in not 

 opening the mouth too wide and in engaging the horse by 

 keeping the hand constantly moving. When the hand is 



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