Year: 1878

From the st. Louis Globe Democrat.


Globe Democrat reporter few days ago wit
messed "horse dentist" engaged at his very pecu-
liar and interesting work at Arnot's stable. DR..
Clark was the operator, and several valuable trot-
ting horses, the private property of well-knOwn
gentlemen, where the patients. From travelling
bag he took dozen gttering steel implements.
There were in the lot giant forceps, pattened like
those used by ordinary dentists. Peculiarly shaped
instruments they were, modelled for special emer-
gencies and particular teeth. There peculiar
rasps Of graded coarseness, which were applied
to long steel handles. Delicate and coarse saws,
cruellooking cutting forceps, steel tooth and
brushes-in fact, an entire outfit of the usual i'm
plements of the dentist, only greatly enlarged
scale.


The first animal brought forth was a beautiful
mare belonging to Mr.. Garneau. She seemed
nervous and fretfId. One side of her mouth was
cut as by the bit. The animal had formed habit
of throwing her head to one side, and the lacera-
tion of the mouth was caused by the driver pull
ing the head around to proper position.


DR.. Clark took the halter from her head, laid
his hand upon her nose looking steadily into her
eyes, and then run hand back into the cavernOus
mouth, and felt around for moment. When his
hand reappeared, he said, "There are excrescenees
and ragged growths upon the outside of the grind
ers. These lacerate the mucous membrane, and





The Doctor then adjusted one of the small fine
rasps to its handle, and it away back into the
mouth, and began working it rapidly, but regular
ly. harsh, grating filing noise was heard, which
set the cold chis chasing each other down the re-
porter's spinal column and caused his teeth to
stand on edge The horse took the matter much
more calmly, standing perfectly still, and to all
appearances, enjoying the operation. Rasps or
files of finer face were used and when the last
was applied but little sound given out. The
other side of the mouth was treated in the same
way, and then, with new style Of implement the
Doctor turned his attention to the incisOrs and
''canine teeth" in the front of the mouth. Their
edges were rough and uneven. More filling, with
some rough and delicate scraping, and the DOct'
then ceased his labors and invited the company to
look at the result. He opened the mares lips, and
her teeth stood revealed and white as ivory, with
edges straight and perfect, all rough edges gone
and even the tarter removed. The teeth looked
as regular and perfect those of a human being.
The mare "whinnied" her appreciation of the i'm
provement in her mouth as she was led away.


The next horse was known as "poor feeder"
and was constantly troubled with collie and indi-
gestion. The animal sobbered in unpleasant
way. brief examination showed that the ex-
cresences were on both sides of the mOlars, and
the tongue and mucous membrane were so acera-
ted and irritated that the mastcation of foot was
painful to it, and in consequence it ate as little
possible, and that imperfectly. The dentist went
to work and in half an hour had all the teeth in
that horses head as smooth and pleasant to the
touch as a billiard ball. "Take care now, that he
don't eat up the stable" said the Doctor, as boy
led the horse away.


Several cases of this kind were treated, and then
a "cribber" was brought out "Cribbers" are also
called "stump- suckers" They continually gnaw
hitching- posts trees, feed-racks anything that
they can get their teeth on. The animal does it
to relieve a numb unpleasant sensation caused by
the crowdng of the front teeth. The colored man
who led this also sufferer out said: 'Look out,
boss he is an eater, you bet. / guess he could
gnaw telegraph pole in about five minutes, if
you'd leave i'm" The Doctor at once saw what
was the matter and produced fine saw. In two
seconds narrow slit was cut between the teeth,
and thoroughly eased, the animal remanded
to his STALL


The cruel-looking fOrceps with sharp edges in
brief order disposed of the superhuous growth of
what would be called a snag tooth. The animal
WINGED a little, but the Doctor, without any coax
ing or petting held him still, and the job was soon
over.


The last patient of the day was young horse
with the to0thache The gum was liberated about
the roots of the moar, and the animal was in great
pain. The halter was taken off, the horse was
quieted and the tooth carefully examined. The
Doctor selected pair of forceps to suit the case
and then, with q rapid movement and a powerful
wrench pulled out the tooth before the horse even
suspected his design. He danced around quite
lively for a very brief space, came again under
control of the Doctor, who fixed up the gum in
good shape and then was led away happier
horse.