PREMATURE WEAR OF THE TEETH. 



283 



dontitis. Only exceptionally in middle-aged horses are the molars 

 worn down to the root and mastication impeded. Cases occurring 

 in early life are usually serious. They clearly result from individual 



Fig. 283.— Tooth screw. 



Fig. 284.— Metznik's improved Tooth 

 shears with interchangeable jaws. 



idiosyncrasy, consisting in defective hardness of the enamel and 

 dentine. The only useful treatment consists in giving soft and 

 crushed food to assist mastication and prolong the workable 

 period. 



