164 THE PATHOLOGY OF THE TEETH. 



Some of the Diseases Affecting the Facial Region of 

 tlie Horse's Head" (^"Veterinarian/"' 18GG-GT), and 

 other productions, has made the disorders of horses' 

 teeth a study, and has aided somewhat in clearing the 

 ^•mystery'' that Surgeon Gowing believes will "to a 

 certain extent always remain/' for he has succeeded in 

 casting some light on the Eetiology of a tooth's greatest 

 enemy — caries. His suggestion as to plugging teeth 

 with gutta-percha is novel, and in some cases might 

 be practicable. However, would not cement, which 

 gives such perfect satisfaction in human dentistry, be 

 preferable ? It is not expensive, and can be as readily 

 introduced into a cavity as gutta-percha; besides, as 

 the cavity must first be thoroughly cleaned (no matter 

 which is used), its use in the end might save time and 

 the tooth be much longer preserved. A horse's tooth 

 that can be got at conveniently, ought to be filled as 

 easily and, in decay of its neck, perhaps a3 successfully 

 as a human tooth. Prof. Varnell's views are in sub- 

 stance as follows ("Veterinarian," 1867): 



"Caries of the roots of the grinder teeth is rare and 

 generally very difficult to account for. I think that, 

 in the majority of cases, it depends upon external vio- 



For old horses, and for those with defective teeth, chaff is pecu- 

 liarly useful, and for both classes the grain should be broken as 

 well as the fodder. The proportions are eight pounds of oats 

 and two of beans to twenty of chaff." 



Concerning swallowing without grinding Prof. Youatt further 

 says: "In cases of this kind the teeth should be examined. 

 Some of them may be unduly lengthened, particularly the first 

 of the grinders, or their ragged edges may wound the cheek. In 

 the former case the horse cannot properly masticate his food ; 

 in the latter he will not, for horses, as too often occurs in sore 

 throat, would rather starve than put themselves to much pain." 



