636 ON THE DISEASES OF THE TEETH OF THE HORSE. 
times require to be repeated, and that once or even twice, so as 
to cut through the enamel. When that has been accomplished, 
with a good smart blow the cutting edge is driven right through 
the tooth. You will not have occasion at all times to repeat the 
blow, for I have often been successful at the first time. 
This instrument I can recommend to you with perfect confi- 
dence, having not only tested it well myself, but I have also ob- 
tained a good character of it from my friends. The value of 
this instrument to us as professional men must be great, but it 
must be used for its worth to be appreciated. 
Sometimes it will be necessary to cast the animal for the pur- 
pose of examination, and also for operation; but where we can 
accomplish our object, and the horse will submit to it, 1 prefer 
the standing position ; for it is mostly aged horses we have to 
operate upon, and in such horses the joints have lost their yield- 
ing action, and sometimes ossific depositions have taken place, 
causing union of some of the bones of the spinal column. Al- 
though casting our patients for operations may be much safer to 
ourselves, it does not always conduce to their well-being. My 
observations more particularly allude to the heavy horse ; for it 
is a well-known fact that some of that breed of horses never lie 
down voluntarily, but even sleep standing. Ety some accidental 
circumstance they do occasionally fall, and frequently after such 
an occurrence we are consulted professionally, on account of 
contusions which have been produced by the struggles the 
animal makes to regain his feet; therefore, inquiry ought gene- 
rally to be made by us before we cast those horses for any 
minor operations. We should ascertain whether the animal duly 
takes his rest in the ordinary manner, lying down and getting 
up without difficulty ; and if the reply is satisfactory, we may 
venture to cast the horse. But if, on the other hand, the owner 
informs us that he never willingly lies down, then we should 
proceed with caution. To exculpate you from any blame , the 
proprietor should be apprised of the probable cause that keeps 
his horse standing , and that you cannot be answerable for the 
injuries that might ensue from the restraint that you would 
have to subject him to. 
Also, after removing the elongated portion of the tooth bv 
means of the improved chisel, if the horse be cast, the hand 
should be inserted into the mouth, of course guarded by the 
balling-iron, and the excised part of the tooth removed ; as 
otherwise it might be swallowed, and become the foundation for 
future intestinal disease. If it cannot be readily removed by 
the hand, your assistant should elevate the poll or back of the 
head, thereby bringing the animal’s nose in apposition with 
the ground, when the piece of the tooth will readily escape. It 
