70 
W. L. WILLIAMS. 
blemish than by using more conservative methods ; and it also 
favors rather than retards the rate of recovery. 
4. The removal of the odontome. Pure follicular cysts 
resting in the facial sinuses need only to be punctured and the 
contents allowed to escape, after which the cyst is to be care¬ 
fully removed by grasping with dressing forceps and drawing 
it out cautiously, avoiding tearing as far as possible. They 
usually have no such direct connection with the teeth in the 
alveoli as to so expose the tooth germ as to make the destruc¬ 
tion and removal of the tooth necessary. The same may hold 
true of composite odontomes, as in case of Fig. 14, and in some 
cases of compound follicular odontomes, even where suppura¬ 
tion of long standing is present; in fact in any class the odon¬ 
tome may be so slightly connected with teeth in their normal 
position in the alveoli as not to jeopardize their vitality if 
due care is observed while removing the offending parts. In 
all such cases and in others before the intimate connection 
between the odontomes and the tooth in the alveolus has been 
ascertained, the veterinarian should proceed warily. Whether 
a tooth is to be sacrificed or not, when the odontome is well 
bared and any cystic fluid evacuated, the harder parts, con¬ 
sisting of enamel, dentine or cementum, should be comminu¬ 
ted sufficiently to permit its being readily removed. This 
comminution is best effected by means of the bone chisel and 
mallet or by various shaped bone or tooth-cutting forceps, ac¬ 
cording to size, form, etc., of the odontome, and the pieces are 
most readily detached from surrounding parts by the punch 
and mallet. The tooth, if affected, should be comminuted 
until all enlargement of the fang has certainly been removed, 
and in case of the fifth and sixth superior teeth, all available 
parts of the tooth should be so comminuted before attempting 
to force the tooth out, as it permits the punch to be placed at 
a better angle and renders the final part of the removal of the 
tooth far less difficult. 
Every part of the alveolus and cavity occupied by the 
odontome is then to be carefully searched in every part for 
detached pieces of tooth, and all carefully removed. This 
can usually be easily affected by means of strong dressing 
