126 Diseases of the Horse. 



As the act of mastication is painful, the animal performs 

 it imperfectly, which becomes visible in his deteriorated con- 

 dition, as well as by an inspection of his dung, which will 

 consist in part of half digested food. The breath is un- 

 pleasant and signs of indigestion are present. 



Treatment. — The matter lodged between the teeth should 

 be removed every day with water and a properly constructed 

 brush ; afterwards the parts should be washed with a solution 

 of chloride of lime (an ounce to the pint). A spoonful of 

 the following should then be smeared on and around the 

 teeth : — 



No. 84. Powdered chlorate of potash, 2 drachms. 



Honey or molasses, 2 oz. 



The space between the teeth can be filled with gutta percha 

 filling. 



When, however, in very old horses, this condition is the 

 result of natural decay of the processes of the gums, it can 

 only be alleviated by cleansing the teeth and giving soft 

 food, of an easily digestible character. 



5. Decayed Teeth. 



The teeth in the horse which are liable to decay are the 

 molar or double teeth. The decay may attack the crown of 

 the tooth, its neck or its fang. 



S3^ptoms. — These may be briefly arranged as follows: — 



1. Pain in eating as shown by "quidding,^' that is throw-- 

 ing back from the mouth masses of half chewed food. 



2. Flow of saliva, "dribbling" or "slobbering." 



3. Swelling of the gum, redness, and pain around the 

 diseased tooth. 



4. Presence of a black spot upon it. 



5. Sharp pain when the tooth is smartly rapped. 



6. A fetid, sometimes excessively foul breath. 



