DISEASES AND TREATMENT OF SHEEP AND PIGS 451 
into the mouth, chewed for a time but then thrown out again. 
There is loss of flesh without any apparent indication of sick- 
ness. If watched closely it will be seen that the tongue is 
frequently worked about in the mouth. 
Treatment. — Should these symptoms be shown, make a 
thorough examination of the mouth. The capped tooth can 
be easily detected, as it projects upward higher than the 
others. Remove the cap with a pair of pincers. No other 
treatment is necessary. 
3. Foreign Substances Lodging in Ar^y Part of the Mouth. 
Causes. — It frequently happens that a small splinter of 
wood, a nail or other foreign substance finds its way into the 
mouth with the food. In chewing the food this may be 
caused to wedge between the teeth or penetrate the gums or 
some other part of the mouth. 
Symptoms. — There is a noticeable difficulty in eating, in 
fact so much inconvenience is caused that it is impossible to 
masticate the food. The action of the mouth indicates an 
attempt to expel the obstruction. 
Treatment. — The only thing to do when these symptoms 
are shown is to make a thorough examination and remove it 
with the fingers, if possible, or if necessary, a pair of pincers. 
4. Old Sheep Losing Their Teeth. 
Sometimes an old ewe that has lost some of her teeth 
becomes with lamb. You desire to keep her over another 
year, although she only has two or three front teeth, which 
interfere greatly with her eating, and consequently runs down 
and gets so poor that you think she will not pull through. 
Treatment. — Catch her, pull out the remaining front 
teeth and let her "gum it." As soon as the gums heal she will 
do well and be able to eat, and will be good for a year or so. 
The reason she did not do well was because all the food she 
could get to eat was merely what she could catch with the 
few stubs of teeth that remained in her mouth. When they 
are pulled out she can take the food in all right with her 
gums and chew it with her back teeth, which are generally 
all right at this age. 
