w 
W. t. WILLIAMS 
not so tightly impacted, bnt the alveolus must be kept well 
filled until closed up, to prevent the entrance of food into it. 
Should the external wound close too rapidly it may be en¬ 
larged by excising the soft granulations by passing a bistoury 
around its circumference. If the external wound is of such a 
nature that the dressing cannot well be retained, a suture of 
silk tape or silver wire passed through the edges of the wound 
and across the opening, may be resorted to with advantage, 
especially in cases of large cavities in the lower jaw. 
In securing the animal it should be confined in stocks in 
the standing position for operations on the superior maxilla, 
almost without exception, while for the lower jaw the opera¬ 
tor will usually find it advisable to cast the patient. In such 
extensive odontomes as those illustrated by Figs. 8 and 14, 
requiring a surgical struggle of two or three hours, the 
animal is manifestly far better for being allowed to stand, 
while the operator also is placed in a better position for his 
work. 
Anaesthetics might be beneficially used in some cases of 
odontomes of the inferior maxilla,' but rarely if ever in those 
of the superior. 
The instruments required for operating are extremely vari¬ 
ous, including syringes, probes, knives, trephines, bone forceps 
of varied shapes, tooth-cutting and extracting forceps, bone 
chisels, gouges, punches and mallet, etc. 
The punches should vary in size and design, but all should 
be made of well-hardened steel, be well polished, and have the 
distal ends (which are to be placed against the odontome) 
deeply concaved, with sharp edges, that slipping may be well 
nigh impossible. This concave end should be about three- 
quarters of an inch in diameter at the most, which should be 
somewhat reduced in size for a short distance to prevent its 
becoming impacted in the alveolus, or other parts. A slight 
bend about two inches from concave end generally adds to 
convenience and usefulness. The total length should be eight 
to ten inches and the distal should be slightly convex. The 
best mallet we have been able to find is one of wood, with 
compressed sole-leather ends, which will not split but always 
affords a firm, smooth striking surface. 
