A WARNING NOTE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 11111, 8 May 1911, Page 8

A WARNING NOTE.

TO SAVE HORSES SUFFERING, What is said to be "a much-needed warning note to horse-owners" is sounded by Mr. 11. A. Reid, F.R.C.V.S., D.V.H., in an article in the "Agricultural Journal." Mr. Reid's article concerns the teeth of the horse, and the author sets out I.) make tome remarks on equine dentistry. Jle s:iys that' his opportunities of witnessing the effects of various forms of equine denti.-try practised in New Zcnland cause him to state that, "speaking generally, unwarrantable- and useless interference is of exceedingly common oc-

Ho considers it advisable to commence with a brief description of the structure of the horse's tesrh and the normal conformation of thu mouth, and he does so in passages from which the following is extracted:—"The teeth of equines are totally different'in structure irom those of man and many other mammalian animals. The best method of studying a question of this kind is to obtain a horse's molar or back tooth (grinder) and, if possible, also one of the front or incisor (biting) teeth. In place of the teeth being covered by, and apparently composed, of white, shining cnauicl, they are made up of a number of variously distributed substances, or, anatomically speaking, are compound, in contrast to the simple teeth of, for example, the human subject and dog. The substances aro known respectively as enamel, dentine, and cement. There will be seen in tho centre of the table or wearing-sur-face of tho tooth, immediately surrounding the dark, oval cavity, or 'mark,' a narrow ring of enamel. Around this enamel is a band of yellowish-coloured dentine, outside which again is the outer layer of hard, polished enamel protected by a. covering of the cement substance. This substance can be seen on the exterior surface of the tnoth, but does not extend to tho table. The teeth of horses differ again from those of men or dogs in their mode of growth—that is to say, they do not: remain stationary after full development, but continue to grow and to havo their surface worn away by the process of mastication. The horse possesses during its life two set of teeth. The first temporary, milk, or 'foal' teeth, and tho permanent or 'horse' teeth. The teeth are hollow, the cavity running through them containing the sensory nerves or blood-vessels. The. horse possesses six incisors or front teeth in both upper and lower jaws, and twentyfour molars, six on each side, in tho jaw. The malo has, in addition, four tusks, nne on each side of the upper and lower jaws, and these may also occasionally be represented as rudimentary orsr.ins in tho mare. It is not unusual to find in front of the first upper- molars in the colt small rudimentary tooth, commonly known as wolves' teeth. In somo instances these rcmr.in after the permanent teeth have taken (lie place of the temporary. Theso so-called wolves' teeth have beo'n ignorantly accused of causing blindness, and for this reason are sometimes removed. This is quite an unnecessary proceeding. - They may with perfect 'safety bn allowed jo remain, and. as a rule," will be shed in time of their own accord." DISEASES IN TEETH. As to diseases in horses' teeth Mr. Reid says that generally speaking actual disease is not of common occurrence—not nearly so common as many owners are led to believe. "The principal troubles aro irregularities, malformations, decay, and inflammation of tho lining nionibrano of tho tooth-socket. Irregularities of the teeth' are easily accounted for from what has already been said regarding their composition.- Substances- of unequal density and hardness will naturally tend to wear irregularly, especially should the animal havo to masticate comparatively hard food, such as oats and other cereals, for.it must be borne in mind that grass alone is the natural food of horses. Further, tho normal conformation of tho month and the arrangement of tho teeth also promote irregularity in wear. In the ordinary way tho wear fcf the grinding-surfaccs is regular, but if for any reason one- or more of tho teeth fail to undergo the normal process of wearing down, such teeth, oitho parts of them which escape wear, will become too long. In such cases wounds or abrasions of the check or tonguo may bo caused by the projecting portion of the tooth. Owing to the arrangement of the teeth already explained, tho. upper molars will tend to inflict injury to the cheok, while tho lower! teeth will, in the same manner, abrade and wound tho tongue. The pain and inconvenience following such injuries will causa the animal to only partially masticate its food. Much of the food will be dropped or 'quidded,' and tho remainder bolted in an imperfectly-prepared condition, and will bo likely to give riso to symptoms of indigestion accompanied by colic. Increased salivation ns a rule takes place whenever wounds of tho mouth occur, so that slobbering, quidding food, and loss of condition help ono to recognise the source of the trouble. In such cases removal of the portions of offending teeth by judicious use of tho rasp is indicated. Occasionally it may be necessary to cut away Iho overgrown teeth by means of a chisol or forceps, reducing them to a common level. Wounds inflicted on the mucous lining of the mouth may be washed and kept clean with- boracic acid lotion. Soft fond should bo given during treatment. Decay is soid to bo moro common than is supposed." THE PAIN INFLICTED. Mr. Reid deals with inflammation of the lining membrane of tli3 tooth socket, and with laiupas. Regarding lampas, ho says: "The practice of firing or burning out lampas, which I regret is only too frequently resorted to, is an outrageous act of cruelty calling for the condign punishment of the perpetrator. I havo known people, who, generally speaking, were lovers of animals, allowing their horses to be subjected to this barbarous treatment at the hands of a blacksmith. Such thoughtless cruelty is tho natural outcome of an ignorant and apathetic state of mind, which does not seek to inquire into the true nature of tin; condition,.nor to consider what may be the ultimate consequences of such inhuman methods. Ono of the consequences of firing, it may be mentioned, is the permanent disfigurement and destruction of certain of tho ridge-like elevations present on tho roof of the mouth, whoso design is to assist tho horse to pick up and retain food. No good is ever accomplished by the stupid act of firing, which can only result in laying the. foundation of a weakened constitution."

The author, who is attached to the State Agricultural Department, concludes thus: "Finally, let mo warn all who have tho interests of the horse at heart against individuals who, though possessed of no professional qualifications, stylo themselves 'cquinp dentists,' and scour the country armed with a formidable array of instruments, inflicting often needless suffering; and sometimes irremediable injury to the teeth and mouth. I venture to hope that ths<e remarks may possibly assist owners in forming nn opinion as to tho condition of their horses' teeth, and, by arousing attention in the subject, afford them indirectly sorno protection from unskilful and even unscrupulous persons who thrive upon tho lack of knowledge and credulity of the public."