254 ANIMAL DHXTISTRY. 



the trimming- of an elongation, or the filint^ of enamel points 

 whieh wound the mucous meml)rane, will promptly cure the 

 aberration. In cases of senile orii^in, loose teeth are ex- 

 tracted and the elongations are carefull}' hlunted without 

 further disturhing their implantations. The food should be 

 of a character recjuiring but little mastication. Ground corn, 

 ground oats, cut ha}- and bran, given dr}\ is the most suit- 

 able diet to i)r()long the life of an old animal so afflicted. 



In the third fcMMii the aberration may often be overcome 

 by withholding hay from the food allowance. For reasons 

 difficult to explain, hay is the foodstuff usually c|uid(lcd. 

 Corn, oats, barley and bran are seldom ejected in this form. 

 In addition, the molars must be well examined to exclude 

 them as the cause of the disorder. 



EJECTING FOOD. 



The ejection of food, partially or completely masticated, 

 occurs as a symptom of (|uidding, from causes enumerated 

 above, and from abnormalities of the mouth or teeth that 

 produce pain when mastication is attempted. A split molar 

 tooth that wounds the buccal surface, carcinoma of the pal- 

 ate, sarcoma of the jaw, foreign bodies in the tong-ue or 

 cheek, and a decaying molar, are among the lesions often 

 responsible for this condition. 



BOLTING FOOD. 



Bolting food refers to the aberration of eating rapidly 

 and without suf^cient comminution. It is more of a habit 

 than a disease, and is often acquired by allowing animals to 

 become too hungry. The nose-bag method of feeding is 

 prolific in the production of the habit, which is still further 

 augmented by dental disorders that induce animals to avoid 

 persistent mastication. The habit causes indigestion and 

 colics, and results in the loss of no small amounts of food, 

 that is found unmasticatcd in the feces. The treatment 



