The Ailments of Horses, 83 



leg is held up for a considerable time, 

 then suddenly dropped. So far as we 

 know, it is incurable. 



T 



Teeth, diseases of. — The molar teeth 

 are more frequently affected than the 

 incisors. The grinding surfaces of the 

 former are commonly the seat of irre- 

 gularities and decay. This is particularly 

 the case with old or aged horses. 



General symptoms of teeth affec- 

 tions. — Loss of condition ; quid ding of 

 food ; or the presence of this latter in the 

 mouth after the animal has finished its 

 provender. 



If the moutli is opened — which can be 

 done by grasping the tongue gently with 

 the hand — irregularities will very likely 

 be seen, or if a decayed tooth or teeth 

 be present, it will not only be seen 

 but smelt — an odour not readily for- 

 gotten. 



A decayed tooth may cause a discharge 

 from the nostril or a fistulous opening 

 may. appear on the side of the jaw. 



Treatment. — Decayed teeth, or a 

 supernumerary tooth, may require re- 

 moval, for which purpose the services of 

 a veterinarian are indispensable. Any 

 irregularities the layman can rasp off 

 with the tooth-ras}j, keeping the mouth 

 open with a balling-iron (gag). 



In the so-called " shearlike "' mouth, 

 it is the inner edge of the lower and 

 the outer edge of the upper molars which 



