DISEASES OF THE BONES, JOINTS, AND TEETH 215 



(1) Holdinf^ tlic liead to one side and cautious masticating 

 movements. 



(2) Dropping food from the mouth, wliich is found in the manger 

 in the form of balls. 



(3) Retention of food in the mouth for some time after eating. 



(4) Poor general condition and hidebound appearance. 

 When any one of these symptoms is observed the teeth should 



be carefully examined for evidences of dental disease. 



Decay of the teeth starts when the enamel covering is broken 

 and the dentine is exposed to the influence of the bacteria and acids 



Fig. 6.3; — Shear- or scissor-formed mouth. This condition might have been 

 prevented by early use of veterinary dental instruments. 



in the mouth. It is a pathologic condition which advances very 

 slowly on account of the great resistance exhibited l^y this part of 

 the tooth. Eventually it leads to more or less complete destruc- 

 tion of the affected tooth. In man it is possible to fill teeth, but 

 this is rarely done in animals. It is, therefore, impossible to save 

 a tooth when once caries sets in. The only thing that can be done 

 is to extract it and to shorten the tooth in the opposite arcade, as 

 it is usually elongated and may seriously interfere with closure of 

 the mouth. 



Alveolar periostitis results when the alveolar cavity is opened 



