DISEASES 147 



through a temporary tooth not having been shed, or by an excessive ac- 

 cumulation of tartar. If caused by the former, this should be extracted; 

 the latter should be scaled off according to the method already recom- 

 mended. Tooth forceps can be had at surgical instrument makers. 



"Caries, or Diseased Teeth. — The fangs are those teeth which are com' 

 monly affected. One or more of the teeth appear brown, with a black center, 

 perhaps coated with tartar, and loose. The breath is very offensive, and 

 saliva is constantly dribbling from the mouth; sometimes swellings under 

 the jaw. The sooner the decayed tooth, or teeth, is removed, the better, 

 followed by a gentle laxative, and Vxe adoption of such methods as will 

 keep the system in good working order — viz., careful dietary. 



"Abscess of the Jaw. — A decayed tooth may give rise to the formation 

 of matter below the jaw, in which case there appears a soft sort of tumor, 

 swelling. If this is neglected, a fistulous ulcer may remain. 



"In some cases the jaw-bone itself may become involved in the dis- 

 easer state, but fortunately this is rare. The gums are red, swollen and 

 spongy. The breath is very fetid and offensive. 



"The term, 'canker of the mouth,' has been, and still is, applied to this 

 and other diseases of the mouth. 



"The treatment consists of removing the diseased tooth, fomenting the 

 abscess below the jaw with hot water, and, when ripe, either opening it with 

 a sharp knife, lancet, or allowing it to burst itself. After the matter has 

 escaped, it should, along with the mouth, be washed out with chloride of 

 zinc, or lead lotion, four grains to every ounce of water. The system will 

 require good support, and, it may be, a course of tonics, such as a grain or 

 two of quinine, night and morning, in the form of a pill; or, using one of 

 the Condition Pills you see advertised in this book — Clayton's, Dent's, or 

 Sergeant's — they are all good, made by dogmen for dogs, and you won't go 

 amiss in using either of them in such cases. 



"Teeth, Decayed. — It is unfortunately only too true that the condition 

 of a dog's teeth does not receive the attention that it should; this is very 

 evident when it is borne in mind that one of the most important functions 

 of the teeth is mastication, and that an animal cannot maintain good health 

 if it is imperfectly performed. Upon sound teeth greatly depends perfect 

 mastication. Before assimilation of the food can take place in the stomach 

 it must be received into that organ in a fit condition for the process, and 

 this depends upon the condition of the teeth. When the food is not prop- 

 erly chewed, it acts as an irritant to the stomach and bowels, causing indi- 

 gestion and diarrhea, which latter in puppies often proves fatal. 



"Generally speaking, the teeth do not receive any attention until they 

 decay, and cause pain or stomach trouble. Preventative measures are in 

 my experience seldom taken, though it is quite as necessary for a dog to 

 have clean teeth as it is for ourselves. 



"The teeth especially require attention in the case of dogs which are 

 fed upon an unsuitable diet, as they become furred, and finally accumtila- 

 tions of tartar exist. To avoid this they should be gone over once a day 

 with an ordinary toothbrush, dipped into weak Condy's Fluid. This- will not 

 only prevent decay, but also keeps the breath sweet, a most important mat- 

 ter where the dog is one's constant companion. Fetid breath, however, is 

 not always due to the teeth, but to indigestion as a result of their condi- 



