40 MARITAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 



teeth not being placed immediately opposite to each other. 

 Instances are not wanting where such teeth have grown 

 three quarters of an inch, or sometimes more above the 

 general level of the grinders or molar teeth ; and this press- 

 ing against the bars of the mouth irritates them, and 

 generally ends in ulceration. The only remedy for this 

 is to file the projecting tooth down to a level with the 

 others. Unless the ulcer is very deep and spongy, it will 

 heal of its own accord ; but should it prove otherwise, its 

 edges must be touched with lunar caustic or nitrate of 

 silver, after it has been well washed out with a solution of 

 alum and water in the proportions as recommended at page 

 31. It often happens, from want of attention on the pait 

 of the groom in this case, that the horse will not take his 

 food, and will in consequence pine away, lose flesh, and 

 become quite dispirited. 



Teeth that have thus grown will always have a tendency 

 to shoot out again, and must therefore be watched to prevent 

 a recurrence of ulcers. 



In all diseases of the mouth horses will half- chew their 

 food and then drop it, which is familiarly termed "quiddiiig 

 their food." 



DISEASES OF THE LIPS. 



Few persons are aware of the very great importance of 

 the lips of horses. They may justly be considered as the 

 hands of that animaL Without their aid he could neither 

 collect his food in the fields, nor even convey corn down his 

 throat. To prove this, I shall give an account of an 

 experiment which, was tried with an ass, to ascertain the 

 extent of the use of these important organs. The nerves 

 Avhich give feeling and sensation to the lips were divided, 

 and instantly it was perceived that he was not aware when 



