236 DISEASES OF THE TEETH, ETC. 



(fig. 4). Another instrument bearing some resemblance to 

 the LATERAL^ is the posterior repeller, whose utility is 

 principally for the back teeth. With this instrument, where 

 necrosis of the tooth has taken place, traction, to a certain 

 degree, may be made, in consequence of its being turned down 

 or necked at the end. Another instrument required is a 

 common chisel, somewhat longer and stronger than the one 

 in ordinary use. Also, another pair of forceps, smaller than 

 the giant ones, without the cross-lever, but billed or notched 

 at their points. (Fig. 7), is a gum lancet of considerable 

 length, to ^' enable one to scarify gums without reaching 

 one^s hand through the balling-iron.^^ The only alteration 

 Mr. Gowing has made in the tooth-rasp (fig. 8), is the 

 addition of a shifting handle, of some length, '' whereby 

 greater power is gained, besides the advantage of being able 

 to add a new rasp, or any other instrument, to it, that the 

 veterinary surgeon may deem expedient." This imperfect 

 sketch of the ^^ proper dental instruments," will not 

 serve for more than an inducement to the man who is in 

 earnest in preparing himself in practice against all con- 

 tingencies, to furnish himself with a case of such instruments, 

 and make himself perfect master of their use, by perusing 

 Mr. Gowing's excellent practical paper, which he will find 

 in ' The Veterinarian,^ vol. xxiv, pp. 630-40. 



TOOTH-ACHE. 



Disease of the teeth is rare in the horse. Mr. Gowing 

 has found the disease mostly occurring in cart and other 

 under-bred horses, which he suggests may arise, in part, 

 from the coarser food given to them. Another cause is, as 

 the horse advances in years,- the interstices arising between 

 their molar teeth, into which the food gets and lodges. And 

 Mr. Gowing believes it to be a fact, " that disease begins 

 either at the neck or in the fang of the tooth in our patients, 

 and not usually at the crown." " It is a common practice 

 with carters to sprinkle the provender with sulphuric acid, 

 and we all well know the action of acids on the teeth." 



