Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1896-08-21
SHARP AND PROJECTING TEETH

oilANI AMI L MI IN llNO Ell H.
by E. II. MILLS, V. $, ISLAND POND.
Written for the HERALD.
As horse advances in age the teeth
usually wear down in an irregular man
ner, the molars of the lower jaw become
sharp and projecting on their inner as
pect, and during the process of mastica-
ton interfere to a greater or less extent
in the tongue, even in some cases causing
considerable laceration of that organ.
The same condition is observed in con.
nection with the molars of the upper
jaw, with this difference, that the pro-
jections, instead of being on the inner
side, are found on the outer aspect OF
these teeth, and causes soreness and more
or less laceration OF the cheeks, more par
ticularly during the process of mastica.
ton. The condition is oftenest seen in
connection with the first molar of the
upper jaw, and the sixth molar of the
lower jaw, the latter setting up the most
irritation. The animal will refuse to eat
rather than suffer the pain caused by
masticating his food, the latter lring
GUIDED and wasted to great extent, the
animal, perhaps, partaking only of a
quantity barely sufficient to sustain life,
as a result of which he becomes greatly
emaciated, until in many cases he might
tttingly he described as walking skcle-
ton. searching examination, however,
reveals no sign of disease. The pulse,
both as TO its character, and number OF
beats, the temperature, etc, is found to
be normal, but on passing the hand into
the mouth the teeth are discovered to be
sharp and projecting on their sides, and
on examining closer the tongue and
checks are seen to be sore and lacerated.
The animal does not drive as kindly as
usual, being slow to answer the rein and
may while travelling carry his head on
one side, and is hard to keep straight in
the road, showing tendency to gradu-
ally work over to the right or left.
TnEArmENr.-The condition being dis
covered to exist, the remedy is at once
made apparent. 1t is evident that the
sharp projections must be removed be-
fore the animal can obtain relief. The
teeth should be rasped until smooth, and
the animal fed for day or two on soft
food; nothing more is necessary.
ABNoRMALLY LONG OR PROJECTING
TEETH.-These are most frequently seen
in consequence of congenital maltorma-
ton of the jaws. 1t is a very common
condition, and occurs most commonly in
connection with the first moiar tooth of
the upper jaw and the last molar tooth
of the lower jaw. 1t constitutes a more
serious condition than the one previously
described under the head of Sharp and
Projecting Teeth, and more especially is
this the case when the sixth molar of the
lower Jaw is the one at fault. 1t gives
rise to pudding of the food, imperfect
mastication, loss of condition, etc. A
projecting tooth is one that grows longer
than it's fellows on account OF the oppos-
ing tooth Immediately under or over it
becoming carious or having been extract
ed, in consequence of which the tooth,
meeting with no resistance, grows out
longer than is natural, and causes much
pain and irritation, which increases as
the tooth increases in length, until it be-
comes no longer possible for the animal
to masticate his food. Great emaciation
takes place, and unless relieved. the ami
NAL eventually dies. or has to be de-
stroyed.
observation-disclosures are those
small supernumerary teeth which make
their appearance just anterior to the
first molar, and are popularity supposed
to cause serious disorders of the eve, and
even blindness; but as a general thing
they do no harm; in rare cases, they
may possibly cause very slight irrita-
ton of the eye. Utmost cases they should
be extracted before irritation is caused.