WOLF TEETH H^ 



teeth were sufficient for the wants of the young animal, 

 and were large enough to occupy and fill the jaw ; but 

 as the latter increases in size witii age, the teeth are 

 separated too far from each other to be of use, and so 

 another and larger set becomes needful. Gradually 

 the second set press on the roots or fangs of the first, 

 and the result is that the latter are forced out ; but the 

 part pressed on disappears, and is in a manner, so to 

 speak, absorbed, and the root being pressed sideways 

 it diminishes throupfhout its whole bulk. The crown of 

 the tooth also diminishes with the root, and the whole 

 is pushed out of its place to the fore part of the first 

 grinder, and remains for a long time under the name of 

 a ' wolf's tooth,' causing swellings, soreness of the 

 gums, and often wounding the cheeks. These teeth 

 should be drawn as soon as perceived. 



The above chanofe of teeth commences in those 

 which appeared first, therefore the front, or first 

 grinder, gives way at the age of two years, and is 

 succeeded by a larger and permanent tooth. It is at 

 this period that dishonest dealers perform what is 

 termed ' bishoping.' I may as well here quote a some- 

 what amusing incident in connection with this ' art.' 

 One day, when at an auction at Farrell's, in Dublin, I 

 noticed a very well-shaped mare in a dark corner stall, 

 and I requested a man standing by her, apparently the 

 owner's groom, to bring her out into the light for me 

 to see her, but this he refused to do. Knowing the 

 rules before auction, I ordered a lad to bring her out, 

 and what I saw induced me to send her on to Mr. 

 Ferguson, at that time the best veterinary surgeon 

 in Dublin, with a note from me to the following effect : 

 ' Please examine this mare's mouth. — Yours, J. H. C 



