DISEASES OF THE TEETH 3 1 



and their edges occasionally present a sharp and rough 

 appearance. This cuts the inside of the cheeks. To 

 prevent this they should be filed down. 



If from the above cause the cheek has been cut, 

 and an ulcer produced, it must be frequently and 

 carefully washed, either with a solution of myrrh, or 

 alum and water ; and if it prove obstinate, nitrate of 

 silver must be had recourse to. 



Sometimes the teeth grow irregularly in length, 

 more especially the grinders. This proceeds generally 

 from these teeth not being placed immediately opposite 

 to each other. Instances are not wanting where such 

 teeth have grown three-quarters of an inch, or some- 

 times more, above the general level of the grinders or 

 molar teeth ; and this pressing against the bars of the 

 mouth irritates them, and generally ends in ulceration. 

 The only remedy for this is to file or sheer ofT with an 

 instrument the projecting tooth dov/n to a level with 

 the others. Unless the ulcer is very deep and spongy, 

 it will heal of its own accord ; but should it prove 

 otherwise, its edges must be touched with lunar caustic 

 or nitrate of silver, after it has been well washed out 

 with a solution of alum and water. It often happens, 

 from want of attention on the part of the groom in 

 this case, that the horse cannot take his food, and will 

 in consequence pine away, lose flesh, and become 

 quite dispirited. 



Teeth that have thus grown will always have a 

 tendency to shoot out again, and must therefore be 

 watched to prevent a recurrence of ulcers. 



In all diseases of the mouth horses will half-chew 

 their food and then drop it, which is familiarly termed 

 " quidding their food." 



