METHOD OF JUDGING THE AGE. 377 



same parts, were placed at convenient distances, so as nearly to 

 close the aperture. Two sutures of smaller metallic wire, and 

 three of stout silk cord, were then passed through the external 

 abdominal muscles and their aponeuroses, which effectually shut 

 up the opening into the abdomen. The integument was then 

 brought together by the interrupted suture, taking care to bring 

 out the end of the other sutures, and Avhich had been purposely 

 left long, so that, in case of supervening inflammation or swell- 

 ing, they might be readily examined. The whole operation occu- 

 pied rather less than an hour, our poor patient being occasionally 

 refreshed with some warm gruel. 



" The hobbles were now quietly removed, and after lying a 

 few minutes she got up, and was placed in a large loose box. A 

 couipress aud a suspensory bandage, that could be tightened at 

 pleasure, were applied to the wound." 



This case, which reflects great credit on the skilful operators, 

 eventually did well ; and it affords us some very useful practical 

 hints as to the treatment of similar formidable cases, although 

 they may not frequently occur. — Ed.] 



CHAP. LIX. 



THE STRUCTURE OF THE TEETH, AXD THE METHOD OF 



JUDGING THE AGE. 



[The horse has, at five years old, forty teeth ; viz., twenty-four 

 molar or jaw teeth (twelve in each jaw, and six on each side) ; 

 twelve incisors, being six in each jaw ; and four tushes, one on 

 either side of each jaw, and situated between the molar and in- 

 cisor teeth. In mares, the tushes are generally absent, and 

 sometimes there are a few supplementary teeth. 



The teeth are placed in very deep sockets in the jaw bones, by 

 which, with the assistance of the gums, tliey are firmly kept in 

 their situation. 



The structure of the teeth is very curious ; in the horse avc 

 find it composed of three portions: first, the bone, or rather the 

 ivory, f)r it is similar to the tusks of the elephant, forms the 

 bulk of the tooth; secondly, the enamel, which is exceedingly 

 hard, and forms the surface of the crown and a portion of the 

 face, and dips into the body of the tooth ; thirdly, the crusta 

 petrosa, softer than the other portions, and more opake ; this 

 portion appears to be a sort of cement to unite the other con- 

 stituents together, but it is only found in herbivorous animals. 



In the foetus of three or four months old we find the germ of 



