352 THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



Treatment — The mouth should be thoroughly examined, 

 and if it is found, which is frequently the case, that a 

 temporary tooth is not being shed in a proper manner, and 

 is interfering with the movements of the permanent tooth 

 beneath it, whether incisor or molar, it should at once be 

 removed. In many cases it can be removed with 

 the thumb and fore-finger. When its removal cannot 

 be effected in this way, forceps should be used. It 

 is rarel}^ necessary to cast the animal, but in the case of a 

 very irritable animal, or one that offers much resistance, it 

 must be done. It will also in many cases be found neces- 

 sary to use a balling-iron, or mouth speculum. Grange's 

 probably being the best instrument for the purpose. The 

 late Mr. House, however, who was very expert and 

 dexterous in the performance of all operations in connection 

 with the teeth, rarely used a balling-iron. The after-treat- 

 ment consists of the administration of a dose of laxative 

 medicine if the bowels are constipated, and the food of the 

 animal should be soft, of a laxative and nutritious character, 

 and it should be allowed an abundance of pure cold water. 



Sharp and Projecting Teeth. — As a horse advances in 

 age the teeth usually wear down in an irregular manner, 

 the molars of the lower jaw become sharp and projecting on 

 their inner aspect, and during the process of mastication 

 interfere to a greater or less extent with the tongue, even 

 in some cases causing considerable laceration of that organ. 

 The same, condition is observed in connection with the 

 molars of the upper jaw, with this difference, that the pro- 

 jections, instead of being on the inner side, are found on the 

 outer asj)ect of these teeth, and cause soreness and more 

 or less laceration of the cheeks, more particularly during 

 the process of mastication. The condition is oftenest seen 

 in connection with the first molar of the upper jaw, and the 

 sixth molar of the lower jaw, the latter setting up the most 



