PARROT MOUTH. 1 i 



ducing this impediment has been termed ' parrot mouth/ in 

 which the upper incisor teeth grow over the lower ones, from 

 the shortness of the lower jaw. The annexed cut will 

 sufficiently explain this peculiar deformity. 



t, ig. 5. 



Amongst the mechanical impediments to the action of the 

 incisor teeth, we must notice the swelling of the gums and 

 palate, incidental to dentition, and which horsemen have 

 from time immemorial called the 'Lampas/ Whence this 

 absurd name was derived I cannot venture to determine; 

 but I can say it has done much mischief, by being 

 regarded as a specific name for a specific disease supposed to 

 require active treatment by the hot iron. It is no disease, but 

 simply determination of blood to parts the .seat of active 

 changes during the development of the teeth. Some- 

 times a few cautious pricks with a lancet, or a mild 

 astringent solution, consisting of a tea-spoonful of alum to a 



