ANIMAL DENTISTRY. I93 



ers frequently gain the impression that some operators exert 

 a mysterious influence over their patients. The secret Hes 

 solely in avoiding the use of force. A horse will resent 

 forcible opening of the jaw, forcible insertion of the hand 

 backwards into the molar region, forcible restraint, and 

 injury to the soft structures inflicted by improperly directed 

 instruments. In avoiding these manipulations the secret is 

 found. Forcible opening of the mouth is unnecessary in 



Fic. 133. 

 Position of Hands to Float the Right Superior Molar Arcade. 



using the float. As only the edges of the arcades are floated 

 the instrument may be passed unobstructed to their very 

 end without opening the mouth more than half an inch. In 

 the lower arcades the hand must be passed into the inter- 

 dental space to guide the shaft of the float, and, as a result, 

 the mouth is opened slightly more than in floating the 

 superior ones, but to prevent resentment, the hand in the 

 interdental space must not be used to force the mouth 

 open when the animal attempts to close upon it. Its pres- 



