THE TEETH 



35 



Good results sometimes follow also the removal of the sharp edge 

 by means of the rasp. 



Step Mouth 



When the height of neighbouring teeth varies suddenly, a long 

 and a short tooth alternating with one another, the condition is what 

 is known as " step mouth." 



This condition may be due to extraction, or loss of the opposing 

 teeth, but when these are present it is usually attributed to a variation in 

 the degree of hardness of the teeth, the softer ones being worn away 

 much the more quickly, and hence the variation in length. 



Treatment of such cases depends considerably upon the extent of the 

 condition. When many teeth are affected very little can be done, but if 

 limited to two or three teeth the extremities of the long teeth may be 

 removed with the tooth-shears. 



In all the foregoing cases soft food is indicated, since the work to be 

 performed by the molars is thus considerably diminished. 



Split Tooth 



The splitting of a tooth is frequently the source of much trouble. 

 Particles of food material become insinuated in the fissure or fissures so 

 formed, which irritate the lining membrane of the alveolus, and set up 



periostitis. 



The exact cause of the injury is unknown, but it is probably due to 

 the presence of hard and resistant substances in the food, such as pieces 

 of stone, or iron, and the tooth is split by the animal's endeavours to 

 crush them. 



The symptom which presents itself is that the animal " quids " 

 its food and on this account the veterinary surgeon is consulted. At 

 first sight nothing appears to be wrong with the teeth, but more 

 careful examination will reveal the presence of a crack or fissure. 



In such cases the only treatment is extraction. It usually happens 



