DISEASES OF THE TEETH. 
25 
purulent periostitis and myelitis improvement will only occur after removal 
of the necrotic bone. This can sometimes be effected through the mouth 
by using dressing forceps, otherwise the swelling should be allowed to 
rupture, and the bone taken away from without. Both the external 
wound and the opening in the bone must be kept as clean as possible. 
Syringing with solutions of carbolic acid, creolin, or diluted hydrochloric 
or sulphuric acid is here indicated. A plug of iodoform gauze may after¬ 
wards be introduced, in order to prevent food particles entering. In 
caries of the lower jaw, Greiner injects the fistula with concentrated solu¬ 
tion of lactic acid, and then introduces tampons soaked in the same 
fluid. The wound requires cleansing after each meal, and treating as 
above indicated. In some cases good results follow the use of a pointed 
cautery. 
Unfortunately, wounds are often discovered only when the jaws are 
considerably swollen. Injuries to the interdental space are very common 
in the army after general manoeuvres, and when cavalry ride gieat 
distances without veterinary superintendence. Under such circumstances 
the mouths require to be examined as regularly as the backs and saddles. 
In tender-mouthed horses leather or rubber covered bits prevent this 
injury, and should be used for some time after healing; but as long as 
wounds exist they are of little service, and in erosion of the mucous 
membrane are positively hurtful. 
(5.) DISEASES OF THE TEETH. 
This chapter will take cognisance of all pathological conditions of the 
teeth, and of all irregularities in the conformation of the mouth, which 
interfere with mastication. Without this wider knowledge abnoimalities 
of the teeth cannot be understood, nor can a reliable diagnosis be made. 
Diseases of the molars are most important in herbivoia, because the molar 
teeth perform the whole duty of grinding the herbage, while the incisois 
only cut it. The dental disorders of vegetable feedeis will, theiefoie, fiist 
receive attention. 
The clinical appearances, although varying in the different conditions, 
generally show marked agreement. In horses (of which we are now more 
particularly speaking), the following symptoms are usually present. 
(1) Deliberate cautious mastication, subject to sudden interruptions 
and rolling of the tongue, the head being held on one side. 
(2) Dropping of food from the mouth ; balls of hay are found in the 
manger ; in popular phrase the animal “ quids its food. 
(8) An important symptom is the presence of food in the mouth, 
generally in the cheek, a considerable time after eating. Giinding the 
teeth when no food is in the mouth is also significant. 
