298 



I'RECAUTJONS IN EXTRACTING EORSE S TEETH. 



pushing the lower jaw to one side, in order that the two rows of teeth no 

 longer oppose cadi other. The tongue, however, should not be loosened, 

 for fear of the tooth falling into the mouth and being swallowed. 



If, during extraction, the animal makes violent movements with the 

 head, the operation is stopped, but the movements are followed by the 

 forceps. This is especially necessary when operating on horses standing. 

 If the forceps are held rigidly, the jaw may easily be fractured by the 

 animal's own movements. 



If the forceps are not firmly held they may slip off the tooth and require 

 to be readjusted. Should this happen repeatedly, and, even after con- 

 siderable efforts, no loosening of the tooth occur, endeavour must be made 



to discover the cause of failure, 

 which most frequently results from 

 an improper hold having been 

 taken, the pull being in a wrong 

 direction, or two teeth being 

 grasped. A change of forceps or 

 of pivot is often desirable. It may 

 be repeated, that the direction of 

 pull should correspond with the 

 long axis of the tooth, otherwise 

 power is lost by the tooth grasped 

 being forced against its neighbour. 

 In certain cases (dental fistula, 

 growths, either in the alveolus or 

 on the tooth), extraction may be 

 very difficult, or even impossible. 

 For extracting molars, a tooth- 

 key, resembling that formerly used 

 in human dentistry, has been 

 recommended. But, unless for re- 

 moving the short teeth of old 

 horses, this instrument is useless. 



The extracted tooth generally 

 shows evidence of pathological 

 the changes. Where purulent perios- 

 titis has existed, the root is 

 roughened and denuded of peri- 

 root exhibit shreds of periosteum, and 



Fig. 298.— Giinther's 



forceps for Ihe 

 incisors. 



Fig. 299.- 

 forceps 

 incisors. 



-Ordinary 

 for 



osteum. Other portions of the 

 sometimes exostoses. 



Treatment after extraction is seldom necessary, but when cleansing 

 the parts a plug of tow or jute soaked in a disinfectant may be introduced 

 into the tooth socket. It is particularly useful where dental fistula has 

 existed, but must be renewed daily. 



In drawing several teeth at one time, it is well first to extract the lowest 

 and most posterior. This minimises the difficulties caused by bleeding. 

 Cases of unusually large teeth have been reported. Degive extracted a 

 horse's tooth which weighed 15 ounces. Teeth are said to have been 

 successfully transplanted, but such reports must be received with caution. 



In 1887, in the clinique of the Berlin college, the first upper molar of 

 a carthorse was removed by punching, as the tooth crown was broken 

 away. Three years later the horse was brought back, the owner stating 



