250 
E. H. SHEPARD. 
and further, for our mutual as well as individual good, the 
value of these brotherly gatherings cannot be estimated, and 
I wish that we might meet more often than we do. 
To my mind this subject of veterinary dentistry has been 
and is sadly neglected among the majority of veterinary 
graduates. The needed work, even among the patients of 
our best patrons, has been overlooked, till the traveling den¬ 
tist with his showy kit and bag of samples has stepped in and 
taken more away with him than has been our portion for a 
long time, and leaving behind the well-founded insinuation 
that we are of no account as dentists. And if his conscience is 
unusually small, much work has been perhaps heedlessly done, 
and by his failure to accomplish the wonders he has pre¬ 
dicted in the eyes of many, we also suffer in due proportion. 
Few there are in any occupation who become specialists, but 
the greater part of the needed work in connection with a 
horse’s teeth does not require a specialist, still the operator; 
should be perfectly familiar with the anatomy and reqfuirej 
ments of each individual part which goes to make up as aj 
whole one of the most complicated portions of the body, and 
the part, to say the least, upon whose completeness health, ever 
life, depends. Even if he be not a skilled operator, his knowl 
edge and logic should at least ensure his patient against any 
operation that would be detrimental to his welfare. 
No rule or series of directions, however complete, can be 
laid down that will cover all cases, for even in the simplest 
work conditions are found widely differing, which require 
such treatment as is only applicable to the case in hand 
Nevertheless, we do find under the old law of cause and ef 
feet, when existing at all, certain conditions better termed ir 
regularities, which are universally the same. And, here as ii 
other departments of the work, the treatment is wholly pal 
liative. The character of the work performed by the teetl 
of a horse precludes any condition but that of constant change 
hence the importance of extreme watchfulness over those w< 
wish to cherish and always see at their best. 
Aside from the conditions above mentioned, accidents fre 
quently occur, which are not, as a rule, discovered till th' 
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