DISEASES OF THE TEETH 



37 



sensitive (see Fig. 1 7) . In some cases if we forcibly pull out the tongue 

 the gangrenous portion becomes detached. Experience shows that 

 the loss of a portion of the tongue does not interfere very much with 

 the prehension of the food. The only evidence is seen in the animal 

 eating and drinking more slowly. Generally these cases heal very 

 rapidly, as soon as the gangrenous portions of the tongue either slough 

 ofT or are amputated. It is remarkable that in cases where the tongue 

 is liluish-black and cold, the animal will make a good recovery with 

 little or no treatment other than the removal of the diseased portion. 



Fig. i; 



— Gangrene of the 

 tongue. 



Fig. is. — Longitudinal section 

 through an incisor tooth; a, 

 cement; b, enamel; c, ivory or 

 dentine; d, pulp cavity and alve- 

 olar dental membrane; e, maxill- 

 ary bone. 



For further treatment see page 34, under Treatment for Inflammation 

 of the Mucous Membrane of the Mouth. 



DISEASES OF THE TEETH. 



Dogs are frequently subject to various dental disorders, such as ac- 

 cumulations of tartar on the teeth, alveolar periostitis; rarely caries of the 

 teeth, and still more rarely fistulae of the gums. 



We understand by tartar of the teeth, a calcareous deposit on the 

 neck of the teeth at the border of the gums. This is gray, yellowish- 

 gray, or greenish-gray and sandy or chalk-like in structure. This tar- 

 tarous substance is deposited chiefly around the canine or molar teeth 

 and gradually pushes the gums back and often loosens the tooth, which, 

 acting as a foreign body, causes great irritation. Furstenberg found 



