' ON THE DISEASES OF THE TEETH OF THE HORSE. 633 
stices between the teeth, wherein the food that he has had for 
mastication becomes lodged and impacted, and is there left to 
undergo decomposition. Absorption of the gums may thus be 
produced, and the crusta petrosa exposed, which, being the most 
highly organized of all the structures entering into the compo- 
sition of the teeth, will be the first to yield. I believe it is a 
fact which is generally admitted, that disease begins either at 
the neck or the fang of the tooth in our patients, and not usually at 
the crown ; although there are some cases on record where the 
disease has first shewn itself on the last-mentioned part. These 
cases, I consider, are of rare occurrence ; therefore it would, to a 
certain extent, go to shew that the causes I have enumerated 
would be likely to produce the injuries named. 
It is also a common practice with carters to sprinkle the pro- 
vender with sulphuric acid, and we well know what action the 
acids have on the teeth. If such practices be allowed, disease 
may be very readily accounted for. 
Moreover, the teeth being lowly organized, they quickly lose 
their power of self-preservation, should the function of the 
stomach or alimentary track be deranged, from the general health 
of the animal being then interfered with, and through such local 
functional derangement the teeth, of all parts of the body, are 
the first to suffer or decay. 
The symptom that would indicate disease of the teeth to be 
present would be imperfect mastication ; in consequence of 
which the stomach would have more to do, and, the food being 
then retained for a longer period in that viscus, its appropria- 
te powers would be enfeebled or deranged, which would 
speedily be shewn by portions of the aliment passing through 
the digestive track entire. Associated with this would some- 
times be a staring coat, with a harsh and unthrifty appearance 
of the animal ; and what is designated hide-bound might also 
be present, accompanied with more or less emaciation, and a 
low febrile disturbance of the system. Besides all this, in some 
instances we shall have a portion of the corn, in a half-masti- 
cated state, from time to time thrown out of the mouth into the 
manger, mixed with a quantity of saliva; also, the animal, if 
watched narrowly, would be observed suffering much pain 
during mastication, and suddenly stop and rest for a time, and 
then begin again to eat. Fcetor, likewise, when the mouth is 
examined, will be found present to a greater Or less extent. 
Who that has witnessed these symptoms, and seen the horse 
hang his head by the side of the manger, with saliva dribbling 
from his mouth, can hesitate for a moment to acknowledge that 
the poor brute is suffering pain ; which, if we were to call 
tooth-ache, would not be believed by our employers'? 
VOL. XXIV. 4 R 
