The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1879-11-20
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 a horse is suf-
fering, and upon what tooth to light
would puzzle indeed the phenomenal
Philadelphia lawyer. When suffering
from toothache, horses manifest the
greatest impatience, and are vicious
and unmanageable, and bite and kick
continually. Stablemen and managers
at different times have been badly Bit
ten or kicked by horses suffering from
toothache, who at other times are the
most docile creatures. The expert
ments made by veterinary surgeons
have been of great practical advantage,
and they are gradually getting the mat
ter down to a perfect science.
"What is the mode of treating tooth
ache in a horse?" was asked of veter-
mary surgeon the other day.
wei, they differ, according to cir
cumstances. Sometimes horse is in
the stable and sometimes in the field
when attacked, and the operator must
use his judgment. Generally, however,
a man puts his arm around the horses
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 mistaking it, as the horse
elevates his feet in a manner something
of ha fr-la IS ha boss do in,
the "Black Crook" In most cases the
defective tooth is found at the sides of
the jaw, where the sharp points have
lacerated the flesh. A file must then
be inserted and the points filed down,
and in short time the animal feels re-
lieved. But this is not actual tooth
ache. The gradual growing of the mo-
lars and the sharpening of the edges,
however, leads to it. How can !
tell when the horse has toothache?
Why it's easy enough; you can tell in
the manner in which he holds his head
When the horse is affected it goes about
with the head down and the lower lip
dropping, and if the rein is pulled
sharply the creature is ready to jump
and prance. Then again the eyes are
fired, and if the horse is compelled to
back by the pressure of the rein on his
teeth the agony is terrible. and the at
tention of the driver is thus attracted"
"When the teeth are badly decayed,
are they drawnP"
Sometimes, but as a rule they are
cauterized."
"Is filling much in use?'
mo; it is impossible, almost, to do
the Job successfully. Wads of hay or
other matter are frequently placed in
the cavities. but nothing more, and it
is only done to keep out the cold
water"
"What instrument is used in cutting
down the teethp"
"a singularly shaped instrument
called slide is employed, and after
the tooth is cut it is filed down. When
a tooth has to be drawn strong pair
of forceps are employed"
''How do the horses stand the opera
tion?'
"Well, without much trouble; when
a good hold is obtained on the tooth a
slight twist is given to loosen it, and
then when q ten or twelve-pound pres
sure is obtained the tooth is drawn out
by force"
This occasions a great loss of blood,
does it not?"
"On the contrary, after the first few
hours bleeding ceases; but have known
horses to bleed to death from having a
tooth extracted"
"Do you use anesthetics to stupify
the animal?"
80 no, nothing whatever. 1t is very
painful, but the horses bear it well
usually"
About the charges. DO you charge
muchP"
1.-The charges vary greatly. The
price is regulated by the time expended
on the animals mouth, the value of the
horse, &c. In cases of valuable horses
we charge little extra, but the ordi-
nary fees are from three to five dollars
for extracting. have charged as much
as fifty dollars, however, to very valu-
able horses. IN Y. Mercury.