EQUINE DENTISTRY. 
253 
I 
tooth—perhaps the bone itself. But if the irregularity is not 
so great, and decay has not set in, the molar cutters may be 
brought into use and the extra length removed, which will 
temporarily relieve the animal and retard decay. If 
decay is already well advanced they should be extracted as 
the only alternative for the preservation of the animal. 
And again, from the excessive hardness of some one or 
two teeth without any other logical cause, they have worn 
away their opposites—perhaps only a little—but often have 
burrowed deep till decay of the latter has resulted, and we 
have again use for the extractor and also the cutters, with the 
always finishing touches of the rasp. 
Among the class of colts that are handled for speed, I find 
that attention is often much needed. The rapid wear of the 
deciduous teeth, especially when the animal is being condi¬ 
tioned for fast work, is surprising ; for instead of the soft food 
which nature intended, the more solid grain is required to 
toughen the whole system and put it in a condition to stand 
the continued strain of a full mile at the limit of speed. And 
not only do sharp points and projections rapidly appear, but 
they leave their mark on tongue and cheeks that must submit 
to the restraint of bit and rein. 
The operator is sure to have his patience tried in handling 
this class of work—for in the first place we are dealing with 
an animal not fully educated—everything is new to him, and 
we are especially handicapped by the smallness of the mouthy 
and not unfrequently its cut and bruised condition has been 
the immediate cause for attempt at treatment. Nothing but 
a fine rasp should be used for this class of work, and the best 
operator cannot use too much care. 
The veterinary should be thoroughly conversant with the 
period of deciduous and permanent dentition, for in the above- 
mentioned class of colts, whose worth oft times cannot be 
estimated, his service will most often be required and his 
judgment considered. Removing the deciduous teeth is 
often required to prevent abnormal conditions, and did the 
operator not thoroughly understand at what time the useful¬ 
ness of each tooth expires he might easily make a serious 
mistake. 
