THE HORSE—-THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM. 89 
CARIES OR ULCERATION OF THE TEETH. 
This is a result of some disease of the teeth, and produces a half-bone, 
half-cartilage growth on the cellular structure of the jaw, which can be 
remedied only by cutting it off It is generally a corruption of the 
‘dentine and enamel and may originate at the fang, when the inside pulp is 
destroyed, and hence the tooth dies. If it attacks the last three upper 
molars, it extends to the maxillary cavities and nasal chambers, producing 
adischarge similar to that in glanders. Should an abscess break on the 
surface, fistula of the face occurs, and should be treated as directed under 
the section on that disease. Ulceration of the teeth may result from 
strangles and catarrh when the nasal discharge has been free for a long 
time. Hot food or large doses of mercury may cause it. Usually, how- 
ever, there is an unknown cause acting through the nerves and blood-ves- 
sels of the center of the tooth. 
Symptoms.—If the tooth aches, the horse rests one side of the head 
on the manger and refuses food; swollen cheek and increased flow of saliva. 
In other cases, the horse “ quids’”’ hay or corn, 
and drops it, or bolts corn, so that it is whole in 
the dung; offensive breath; if the maxillary cavi- 
ties are diseased, a discharge of pus and mucus 
flow from the nostril on the side affected—from 
both if both sides are diseased; the glands under 
the jaw are swollen as in glanders; eye some- 
times irritated; the horse loses flesh and becomes 
hide-bound; the balling-iron shows a black spot Ce aaten een ee 
or cavity in the tooth, with collections of decom- ak iad 
posed and very offensive food; gums sometimes inflamed and swollen. 
TREATMENT.—This consists mainly in the removal of the diseased 
tooth by a skillful operator. If the jaw be diseased, it should be cleansed 
daily with carbolated water. Apply tincture of myrrh to the gums. 
IRREGULAR GROWTH OF THE TEETH. 
The grinding surface sometimes becomes sharp and uneven, ‘causing 
serious injury to the tongue, cheek or palate, and occasionally a disorder in 
the upper jaw, with symptoms similar to those in ulceration of the teeth, 
‘One of the most common forms is the projection of one of the incisors out- 
ward (“buck-tooth” ); while an extra tooth appears sometimes in front of 
the molars ( “ wolt-tooth” }. 
TREATMENT.— Rasp the teeth or cut off the projecting parts. Some- 
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