40 
MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 
teeth not being placed immediately opposite to each other. 
Instances are not wanting where such teeth have grown 
three quarters of an inch, or sometimes more above the 
general level of the grinders or molar teeth ; and this press¬ 
ing against the bars of the mouth irritates them, and 
generally ends in ulceration. The only remedy for this 
is to file the projecting tooth down to a level with the 
others. Unless the ulcer is very deep and spongy, it will 
heal of its own accord; but should it prove otherwise, its 
edges must be touched with lunar caustic or nitrate of 
silver, after it has been well washed out with a solution of 
alum and water in the proportions as recommended at page 
37. It often happens, from want of attention on the part 
of the groom in this case, that the horse will not take his 
food, and will in consequence pine away, lose flesh, and 
become quite dispirited. 
Teeth that have thus grown will always have a tendency 
to shoot out again, and must therefore be watched to prevent 
a recurrence of ulcers. 
In all diseases of the mouth horses will half-chew their 
food and then drop it, which is familiarly termed “ quidding 
their food.” 
DISEASES OF THE LIPS. 
Few persons are aware of the very great importance of 
the lips of horses. They may justly be considered as the 
hands of that animal. Without their aid he could neither 
collect his food in the fields, nor even convey corn down his 
throat. To prove this, I shall give an account of an 
experiment which was tried with an ass, to ascertain the 
extent of the use of these important organs. The nerves 
which give feeling and sensation to the lips were divided, 
and instantly it was perceived that he was not aware when 
