180 THE TEETH. 



veloped in each of the jaws. There Is much irregularity accompanying 

 them ; and they have even been supposed to have extended to seven or 

 eight in number. 



The Indications of Age. The dog displays natural indications of age. 

 The hair turns gray to a certain extent as in the human being. This 

 commences about the eyes, and extends over the face, and weakens the 

 sight ; and, at ten years old, or earlier, in the majority of dogs, this can 

 scarcely be mistaken. At fifteen or sixteen years the animal is becoming 

 a nuisance, yet he has been known to linger on until he has reached his 

 two-and-twentieth year. 



Among the diseases from which the dog suffers, there are few of more 

 frequent occurrence than decayed teeth, especially in towns, or in the 

 habitations of the higher classes of society : the carious teeth, in almost 

 every case, becoming insufferably fetid, or so loose as to prevent mastica- 

 tion ; or an immense accumulation of tartar growing round them. 



The course which the veterinary surgeon pursues is an exceedingly 

 simple one. If any of the teeth are considerably loose, they must be 

 removed. If there is any deposit of tartaric acid, it must be got rid of 

 by means of the proper instruments, not very different from those which 

 the human surgeon employs. The teeth must be perfectly cleaned, and 

 every loose one taken away. Without this the dog will be an almost in- 

 sufferable nuisance. 



The decayed and loose teeth being removed, chlorinated lime diluted 

 with 15 or 20 times its bulk of water should be applied to the gums. By 

 the use of this the ulcers will quickly heal ; the fetor will be removed, 

 and the deposition of the tartar prevented. Mr. Blaine first introduced the 

 chlorinated lime for the accomplishment of these purposes. 



Two little histories out of a great number will sufficiently illustrate these 

 cases. A terrier had scarcely eaten during more than a week. He 

 dropped his meat after attempting to chew it, and the breath was very 

 offensive. Several of the teeth were loose, arid the rest were thickly 

 encrusted with tartar. The gums had receded from the teeth, and were 

 red, sore, and ulcerated. 



I removed all the loose teeth ; for experience had taught me that they 

 rarely or never became again fixed. I next, with the forceps and knife, 

 cleaned the others, and ordered the diluted chlorinated lime to be alter- 

 nated with tincture of myrrh and water. The extraction of the loose teeth, 

 and the removal of the tartar from those that were sound, occupied a full 

 hour ; for the dog resisted with all his might. He, however, soon began to 

 eat ; the lotions were continued ; and five months afterwards, the mouth 

 of the dog was not in the slightest degree offensive. 



An old dog should not be quite abandoned. A pug had only four teeth 

 remaining beside the canines. They were all thickly covered with tartar, 

 and two of them were very loose. The gums and lips were in a dreadfully 

 cankerous state, and the dog was unable to eat. All that he could do was 

 to lap a little milk or broth. 



I extracted the two loose teeth, cleaned the others, and ordered a lotion 

 of equal parts of tincture of myrrh and water to be applied. 



13th August, 1842. A very considerable discharge of pus was ob- 

 served, with blood from the mouth, apparently proceeding from the cavity 

 whence one of the teeth had, been extracted. The dog is exceedingly 

 thirsty, and walks round and round the water-dish but is afraid to lap. He 



