The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-15
EQUINE DENTISTRY.
Filling Racers Teeth-A Fine Case of
Big-Sized Instruments.
Dr. Armstrong Talks on the Subject of Oper-
ating on Defective Manufacturing Disa-
greeable Horse Habits.

''What is it9' was the question put to Dr. T..
l.. Armstrong. the veterinary surgeon at Horace
Woods Circle-street stable. as he opened up q
large leathern of formidable appearance,
exhibiting number of mammoth surgical for
cops and other instruments suggestive of dental
surgery on a erandly expanded scale
There were excising forceps of several forms,
extracting forceps, artery and bone forcops,
saws, reamers, spoons. and other paraphernalia
that quite set the teeth of the spectators on
edge.
''Its new case of dental instruments have
just received" said the Doctor .'for use on
horses. Veterinary dentistry is getting to be q
part of the business of the educated veterina-
rian and very important part, too. Veterinary
dentistry is act of humanity. It not only re-
lleves suffering. but produces q fine driving ami
NAL and healthy horse, frequently prolonging
life and usefulness five years more
There are very few horses. young or old. but
have more or less sharp edges prof ectionS
upon their molars. These sharp points lacerate
the mouth, and the horse tries in one way
other to relieve himself. Some jerk and toss
ly, drive sideways, shy. or hold their heads in
an unnatural manner. A defective mouth is
often the Of serious trouble rendering
horse intraetabie and vicious that otherwise
would be pleasant driver
Il practced dentistry on human subjects for
several years, and for that reason the field of
and naturally. Here" continued DIR. Arm
strong, showing reamers and trephine ''are
some beautiful instruments. / used both of
these yesterday horse that had a broken
skull. removing one piece of bone inch wide
and an inch and half long. besides several
smaller pieces. The horse will get we'll and be
a good animal. There instruments for
filing, but have filled teeth for a race-horse.
Gold filng. inquired listener. "Oh no."
said the Doctor; ''gutta-percha stopping 1t
made him good horse, and he worthless
with bad teeth. Horses stand all these dental
operations nicely. 1t is trouble for an oper-
ator who understands his business to keep their
mouths open"
"Can you tell without examination whether
horse has bad teeth or not2'
Certainly. The moment see horse 60 by
I can tell whether his teeth hurt him. see
hundreds of horses on the street here that are
suffering with lacerated jaws and cut tongues.
Every turn the bit gives such an animal pain.
/ went to Putnam county short time ago. and
found valuable horse starving to death. The
animal, upon examination. proved to have a
tooth that was decayed, and had split. One-half
buried itself in the tongue and the other
half forced its way through the jaw.
1 extracted it, and the horse is now
sound and fat There are many similar
cases. People, rule, are ready to call a
veterinary surgeon for sick horse, but they
seldom think of the horses teeth which are in
and unthrifty.
Horses having diseased teeth are hard to keep
in condition. and poor it is i'm possible to fatten
them. More horses blind from irregular,
diseased and sharp edged molars than from any
and all other causes. Operations made in time
will such animals The removal of rough
edges from the teeth levels the mouth and
enables the horse to masticate his food properly
Many diseases be cured and disagreeable
habits overcome by horse dentistry"