190 ANIMAL DENTISTRY. 



Restraint — The horse is secured in the stan(iin_£^ position, 

 backed into a single stall and fastened to the pillar with the 

 dental halter. The halter ropes are fastened to the pillars 

 low enough to hold the head at the proper height. When 

 the construction of the pillars prevents tying the ropes low 

 enough, an additional rope is fastened from the halter at the 

 lower extremity of the iron band and passed between the 

 forelegs around the withers, and back again between the 

 legs to the halter, for the purpose of preventing the head 

 from being held too high. This method is also serviceable 

 in securing horses in a loose box or paddock where stalls 

 are wanting. (See Fig. 105.) 



The mouth speculum must be dispensed with, as it posi- 

 tively interferes wnth the free use of the instruments and 

 provokes resistance, which is otherwise avoided. The twitch 

 also is contra-indicated, even on the vicious animal. 



The aim in securing the horse, as in performing the oper- 

 ation, is to avoid the use of any force that will be resented. 



Examination of the Mouth — First, the incisors are in- 

 spected to determine the age and the presence of any harm- 

 ful disorders or irregularities. Then the palmar surface of 

 the thumbs is passed along the interdental space of the lower 

 jaw to locate possible bit lesions, and without withdrawing 

 them they are turned upward against the interdental space 

 of the upper jaw to palpate for wolf teeth. Third, the mo- ^ 

 lars are palpated by passing the hand backwards between 

 the tongue and molar arcades. (See diagnosis.) 



Modus Operandi — The canines may first be blunted with 

 the twelve-inch file, to prevent wounding the hands, but the 

 blunting process must be limited to the very tips of the 

 crowns, owing to the fact that a short blunt canine gives the 

 appearance of age, and thus leaves an opportunity for just 

 criticism. 



The second step of the operation consists of trimming the 



