The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1879-11-21
Horses with the TOOthache.

Horses with the TOOthache.
Horses, like human beings, are SUBJ
jected to the most excruciating tooth
aches, and it is only within the past few
years that any attempt has been made
by veterinary surgeons to allay the pain
and extract or fill their teeth. 1t is only
after patient study, too, that one is able
to discover when horse is suffering,
and upon what toothtO light would puz-
zle indeed the phenomenal Philadelphia
lawyer. When suffering from tooth
ache. horses manifest the greatest I'M
patience, and are vicious and unman-
ageablc and bite and kick continually.
Stablemen and managers ut different
times have been badly bitten or kicked
by horses suffering from the toothache,
who at other times are the most dOcile
creatures. The experiments made by
veterinary surgeons have been of great
practical advantage, and they are grad
ually getting the matter down 10 a per-
feet science.
"What is the mode of treating tooth
ache in hOrse?'' was asked of a vet
Urinary surgeon the other day.
"Well, they differ, according to cir
cumstances. Sometimes 4 horse is i'm
the stable and sometimes in the field
when attacked, and the operator must
use his Judgment. Generally, however,
man puts his arm around the horses
head, and with his disengaged hand
presses hard on the nose of the animal.
Then, without more ado, the hand is
thrust into the mouth and the Jaws felt
slowly and gently, then each tooth is
felt, and when the right one is touched
there is no installing it, rs the horse
elevates his feet in n manner something
after the style of the boss danseuse in
the Black Crook. In most cases the de-
fective tooth is found at the sides of the
jaw, where the sharp points have lac
Grated the flesh. A file must then be
inserted and the points filed down, and
in short time the animal feels relieved.
But this is not actual tOOthache. The
gradual growing of the molars and the
sharpening of the edges, however, lead
to it. How can 1 tell when the horse
has toothache? Why, it's easy enough;
you can tell in the manner in which he
holds his head. When u horse is affect
ed it goes about with the head down and
the lower lip dropping, and if the rein
is pulled sharply the creatAre is ready
to jump and prance. Then again the
eyes are fixed, and if the horse is COM
PEELED to back by the pressure of the
rein on his teeth the agony is terrible,
and the attention Of the driver is thus
attracted"
"When the teeth are badly decayed,
are they drawn?''
I" Sometimes, but rs rule they arc
cauterized.''
sis filling much in use?''
"No; it is impossible, almost, to do
the job successfully. Wads of hay or
other matter are frequently placed in
the cavity, but nothing more, and it is
only done TO keep ont the cold water"
"What instrument is used in cutting
down the tceth?'
"a singularly shaped instrument
called the slide is employed, and after
the tooth is cut it is filed down. When
Il tooth has to be drawn strong pair of
fOrceps are employed"
"HOw do the horses stand the opera
tiOn?''
"Wcll, without much trouble; when
q good hold is obtained on the tooth n
slight twist is given to loosen it, and
then when u ten or twelve pound pres
sure is obtained the tooth is drawn out
by force
"This occasions 4 great loss of blood,
does it not?''
son the contrary, after the first few
hours bleeding ceases; but have known
horses to bleed to death from having 4
tooth extracted"
"Do you use anesthics to Supply the
"Oh no, nothing whatever. 1t is very
painful, but the horses bear it well usu-
ally"
"About the charges. Doyou charge
"The charges vary greatly. The
price is regulated by the time expended
On the animals mouth, the value of the
horse, etc. In eases of valuable horses
we charge little extra, but the Orlina-
~ fees are from three to five dollars for
extracting. nave charged as high rs
fifty dollars. however, to very valuable
horses. "-NeD York Mercury.