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 how dreadful are the ravages which this affection 

 can induce. All therefore should, for the security 

 of their property, be aware of the first indication of 

 this species of disease. Though the teeth are not 

 vital organs, and the course of the malady is gene- 

 rally slow, nevertheless, the consequences to which 

 it gives rise are such as in every case, deteriorate the 

 value of the animal ; and, in many, nay, perhaps 

 the majority of instances, render it alike prudent and 

 humane to deprive the poor beast of existence. 

 Probably I do not assert too much when I add that, 

 in the ordinary examination of horses, little attention 

 is paid to the condition of the teeth. The incisors 

 are inspected to ascertain the age, and any pecu- 

 liarity in these is particularly noted ; but for the 

 most part the molars are passed over without com- 

 ment. Here the rarity of disease may shield the 

 negligence of the practitioner, who, nevertheless, 

 is in every case exposed to blame through his in- 

 attention. Such a man may pass through a long 

 practice, and escape reproach ; but, nevertheless, 

 the first horse on which he pronounced an opinion, 

 might have blighted his reputation, by exhibiting the 

 disease he had taken no pains to detect. Every 



