Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1889-11-09
ANIMAL DENTISTRY.
METHODS OF KEEPERS WHO OPER-
ATE ON MENAGERiE TooTHACHeS

Pulling the HIppo's Tooth with Block
and Tackle Sponging Out the Mouth of
a Ferocious Hyena-Gratitude Displayed
by the Wild Beasts.
There is new profession 1t is that
of animal dentistry. The increased value
of fine animals. as well as the growing
popularity of menageries. have called at
tention to the importance of preserving
the health of the more expensive mem
bers of the brute creation.
A man who owns a $4,000 horse, a
81, 900 dog, a $4,000 pig, or $1,000 bull
is ready and glad to pay an animal den
fist TO cure some dental disorder which,
if left alone, might seriously injure, if
not kill the sufferer The case is equally
strong with the Snowman who pays far
up in the thousands for lions. tigers. ele-
plants, hippopotami and rhinoceri.
The treatment of domestic animals is
Of course familiar to all. They are SO
accustomed to look to man for the graft
icaiion of their wants that 1t is not sur
prising they undergo the pain of a den
tai operation without any greater resist
ancc than that shown by a little child or
a very ignorant man. The most surpris
ing thing is the conduct of the wild ami
mails under similar circumstances.
BIO THING IN DENTISTRY.
One very interesting instance was that
Of the unwirldly hippopotaaus In Bar
NUNS greatest show on earth. The
animal seemed sick for at least week
and neglected its food to such an extent
us to alarm Its keeper, George Conklin
1t groaned and showed deep distress day
md night Whenever Conklin ap
preached the huge beast it opened its
mouth and moved its tongue. At first
the keeper thought that it was begging
for an apple a boiled onion or carrot
When 1t rejected the delicacies he threw
into the dstended jaws, he concluded
that 1t was sickness, and careless of the
risk examined the tusk like teeth.
The hippo never moved during the ex
animation until the bad tooth was
touched by the keepers hand Then it
groaned and licked the ivory with its
tongue Conklin, satisfied with his study
procured some aconite and sulphuric
ether and a pair of powerful pincers,
| W ii SOStl dllO tetShiC
He arranged the latter SO that the rope
passed over heavy beam in the cage
and then rubbed the gums of the giant
brute around the painful spot with the
antrstlfetie until nearly all the sensation
was destroyed. He then applied the
rincers and screwed them down until
thsy would lift u ton. The hippo scarcely
moved during the operation. The only
sign OF emotion it displayed seemed more
If satisfaction and relief than anything
else Conklin gave signal and the rope
was violently pulled by the menagerie
attendants There was sudden strain
pause and then the great fang sprung
out of the java dangled in the air
overhead. The hippo gave thunderous
rrunt plunged into the tank and washed
bs mouth until the bleeding ceased
An hour afterwards it was eating ma
rurally When Conkling approached it
showed every symptom of gratitude
from pndeavoring to rub it's Shiny head
against his body and wiggling its funny
little tail The tooth was eight and
half inches long and was liberated near
all the way from the bottom Of the
roots to the edge of the gum
A SILVER IN HIS JAW.
Another case which more strongly il
Illustrates the mastery of man over the
animal world was afforded by fierce
and very dangerous hyena He was so
fcrocious that he attacked his mate liz
the same cage upon the smallest provo
alton, and ON one occasion tore off the
end of the latters nose His keeper.
| a Al, 4
ventured into the cage. and then did 80
only when armed and accompanied by
his fellow employees. One day in gnaw-
ing very large and hard bone the
hyena In crushing it. split it into spin
ers. one of which pierced the jaw So
great Is the muscular power of the brutes
ms nth that the splinter was driven down
at least four inches into the gum. The
hyena did his best to get 1t out. but to
no avail
Inflammation set in and within forty
eight hours he was almost crazy with
ngony The keeper in the meantime. at
'rat-ted by the animals constant roars
and gronns, had passed nearly all his
Time In front of the cage On the third
lay the hyena became very weak and
'ouid hardly stand Suddenly he
| crawlcd over To the bars and called the
keeper If using the same sounds they
employ toward each other can be so
termed The keeper rose from his cage
and went to the bars AS he nrared
them the hidcous carnivore opened his
mouth. revealing the terrible wound
The keeper, rough and fearless man
| # II f,,r
and, calling his associates to stand around
the cage in case he was attacked opened
the door and sprang in lhr hvrna
turned without growing wacErd ITS
ail and again op"',ed his mouth The
keeper took hold of the splinter aud with
powerful pull extracted it from !h. 10
lamcd and swollen flesh Then with
some lukewarm water lie spongc'l ont
the interior of the mouth The hyena
recovered entirely from the accident,
but ever after displayed Il warm friend
4hip for the valorous keeper
Lions and tigers are subject to two
troubles One is the breaking of small
piece off from tooth and the formation
of sharp point or edge, Another
which is far less frequent, is the abnor-
nal growth of a tooth, especially a ca
nine one. from not having enough bones
10 crunch and gnaw upon The treat
mcnt In both cases h the same The
great cat IL thrown down" and bound
NJ that 1t can neither move nor inflict
INJURY upon the attendants The mouth
IL forced open and kept so by wooden
wedges The broken or overgrown tooth
| IL, thor, fil41 InxlIn fhn until 10
round and smooth and the latter until it
normal size. Philadelphia Times
Tasting W ithout a Tongue.
| There exists mistaken notion that
| The tnnrne Is the sole organ of taste lust