FRACTUEES OF THE FACIAL BONES. 93 



waste of time to allow them to be removed by exfoliation. 

 The method which I recommend, is to slit up the skin, and 

 carefully scrape the diseased surface. If this be done, the cure 

 may be effected in a very short time. If the necrosis is very 

 superficial, one or two applications of dilute hydrochloric acid 

 will effectually remove it, and render unnecessary the perform- 

 ance of an operation. Common sense will convince the reader 

 that the cause, namely, the severe curb, must not be again 

 applied. 



In the third form of injury, namely, the hyperostosis, all the 

 the treatment necessary is the removal of the cause, and the 

 application of soothing remedies, succeeded by frictions, with 

 iodine ointment. 



Sd. Fractures of the inferior maxilla occur at the boundaries 

 of the alveolae of the incisor teeth by the forcible " punching 

 out" of the temporary incisors — more especially the corner 

 bones. This cruel procedure is resorted to for the purpose of 

 making the animal appear older than he really is. It cannot 

 be too highly censured, and no veterinary surgeon should 

 ever be guilty of doing such a thing. It can in no way benefit 

 the horse, and the idea that the removal of the temporary teeth 

 hastens the development of the permanent ones, is founded on 

 the grossest ignorance. Doubtless, the permanent teeth are 

 sooner brought into view. This, however, does not arise from 

 any increase of their growth, but from the removal of the mem- 

 brane by which they are covered. StiU, when the bones are 

 fractured, the veterinary surgeon must give relief as speedily 

 as possible. All loose fragments of bone must be removed, and 

 the wounds washed out. Occasionally, the gum and membrane 

 of the mouth will be found torn to a considerable extent — the 

 ends hanging loosely in the mouth. These must be brought 

 together, and secured by suture. After this is done, all that 

 is necessary is to cleanse the mouth occasionally with a weak 

 solution of chloride of lime or carbolic acid, and to place the 

 animal on soft diet. 



4th. Fracture of the rami of the lower jaw may occur from other 

 causes than that of the horse falling upon his mouth — such as 

 kicks from other horses, or any other external violence. The 

 fractm-e may be in front of, posterior to, or in a line with the 

 tusL If the tush is loosened, it must be removed; but this 



