PREFACE. 



The domain of animal dentistry is too limited to fill a 

 large volume without entering into the details of embryol- 

 ogy, anatomy and physiology, and since these sciences are 

 today ably covered by writers possessing special merit in 

 each, it would appear ridiculous for a veterinary practitioner 

 to "venture where angels fear to tread." A comprehensive 

 understanding of the teeth in their normal state at the dif- 

 ferent periods of life, as a foundation for the intelligent treat- 

 ment of their abnormalities is, however, so essential that it 

 has been thought advisable to include an epitome of these 

 sciences so far as they appertain to the teeth. 



This Volume, with Volumes II and III, is written at the 

 earnest solicitation of the students I have had the privilege 

 of teaching during the past twelve years, which circumstance 

 is the only excuse for its publication. The fact that animal 

 dentistry is given but limited space in the surgical litera- 

 ture of the profession has not entered into the proposition, 

 because the task of writing books belongs to those having 

 the time and inclination to ponder leisurely over each single 

 topic, and not to the busy practitioner, whose few idle 

 moments are usually interrupted by "a call to action." 



It has been the aim to cover the subject in a matter-of- 

 fact manner, excluding all obscure, rare and imaginary con- 

 ditions and including all the conditions encountered in the 

 routine of practice. For compiling the index and for the 

 illustrations, which are made from copies and original draw- 



