CARIES OF THE TEETH, 513 



Some practitioners speak about stuffing the cavity with gutta- 

 percha. It is rarely necessary; indeed, it is calculated to do 

 harm, by preventing the healing process, and producing caries 

 of the bones. 



If caries attacks a tooth early in the horse's life, the opposing 

 tooth demands surgical attention. The carious tooth will sink 

 below the level of the others in the row, and the opposing 

 tooth, not being worn down by the attrition of mastication, 

 wiU become elongated; it will grow to its full length, and 

 project into the hollow of the carious tooth, and eventually 

 become sufficiently long to wear through the gum and into the 

 jaw itself. The same applies when the carious tooth has been 

 removed either by disease or operation ; and a horse which has 

 been subject to the attention of the animal dentist for the removal 

 of his teeth requires periodical examination, the unopposed tooth 

 requiring to be cut to a level with its fellows in the same jaw, and 

 occasionally filed upon its surface, or it will continue to increase 

 in length, and be a source of serious injury and annoyance. 



Quidding of the food may exist unassociated with disease of 

 the teeth. I am of opinion that such cases are due to partial 

 paralysis of the pharyngeal muscles. 



Instruments for the treatment of the irregularities of the 

 teeth can be purchased from any veterinary instrument maker. 

 They are various ; some of them very useful, many of them of 

 no service at all. 



DISEASES OCCURRING DURING DENTITION. 



The three first molars are temporary teeth, and are replaced 

 by permanent ones in the horse when he is between three and 

 four years old, and in the ox at two years and two months and 

 two years and nine months. In young cattle, ranging from two 

 j^ears old and upwards, the cutting of the permanent molar teeth 

 is occasionally a matter of some difficulty, owing to the unshed 

 crowns of the temporary ones becoming entangled in the new 

 teeth, proving a source of u-ritation, and preventing the animal 

 from feeding. In some parts of the country such animals are 

 called " rotten," from their emaciated condition, and perhaps 

 from the foetor emanating from the mouth, arising from the 

 imprisoned and decomposing food. 

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