FEATURES OF ANIMAL FORM 43 



sprung knees, while if some of their fibers have become 

 ruptured and repaired by low grade connective or scar 

 tissue they are said to be " bowed," a common condition 

 in race horses. Lameness due to sprained ligaments and 

 tendons is usually aggravated by moving the horse instead 

 of being relieved, to some extent, as it is if due to inflam- 

 mation of the joints. 



64. Age. — Its determination in those classes of live 

 stock the majority of whose lives are terminated after a 

 short period of a few years, as beef cattle, hogs and sheep, 

 is a comparatively simple matter, but in the case of the 

 horse, which not only lives to a much greater age, but is 

 valued largely on the age basis, and consequently invites 

 frequent attempts at deception, the indications are more 

 complex and difficult of determination. In the former 

 group the order of eruption of the teeth is the primary 

 consideration, wear being noted only in those breeding 

 animals of advanced age, while eruption in the horse can 



only be relied upon until he is fairly ma- ., 



ture, after which wear is responsible for 

 the changes which mark the ages. 



Distinction between the milk or decidu- 

 ous teeth, which are shed, and the perma- 

 nent teeth, upon the eruption of which 

 so much depends, involves their size, , 



shape, and color (Fig. 17). In all animals 

 the permanent teeth are larger, less coni- 

 cal in shape, have a much deeper root, -^ 

 a wider base and a thicker coat of enamel, -^^^^^1;^^ ^^ 

 the surface of which is usually ridged per- tooth. 

 pendicularly, and yellow instead of white. 



The signs of age in the mouth of all animals are subject 

 to considerable variation and correction. Eruption may 



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