Part 6

One or more of the tushes may also be well up: the whole may have made their appearance; but more frequently only the two originating from the lower jaw are through the gum. No dependence, however, can be placed on the presence or absence of the tushes, which repeated proof has shown to be irregular in their development: nor is the state of the mouth during the fourth year such as justifies an off-hand opinion being pronounced; for though during that period the growth of the teeth is generally well marked, nevertheless exceptions more frequently happen than between the second and third years. An instance illustrative of this fact occurred at the Veterinary College, at St. Pancras, during November, 1844. To that Institution was brought a dun colt, which the professors, one and all, pronounced to be "rising three." Mr. Robb, a gentleman of great talent, and then a pupil at the school, having looked at the animal's mouth, pronounced it to be "three off," or "rising four." Here was a difference of opinion to the extent of a whole year; and of course the pupil was sneered at for his ignorance and presumption. Mr. Robb, however, had reasons for his conviction; he would not give up the point, but wrote to the breeder, and obtained a reply which showed the teachers had yet to learn. Being an acute observer, Mr. Robb had attended to the wear of the tables; had seen the infundibula had become defined, and the surrounding surface broad. He had also remarked the gums, and seen that those of the lower jaw were slightly red; and, taking these tokens in conjunction with the appearance of the colt, arrived at a conclusion which the result proved to be correct, and which did not show the mouth deficient in its symbols. Mr. Goodwin, veterinary surgeon to the Queen, has casts of mouths taken from horses of known ages. No gentleman connected with the veterinary profession, perhaps, has enjoyed such peculiar opportunities as Mr. Goodwin, and no one could be characterized by a greater inclination to take advantage of them. With a natural talent for observation, and an innate love for scientific inquiry, combined with enthusiasm in the cause of truth, Mr. Goodwin has, in the midst of ill health, pursued his researches, and spite of an opposition, which did not stop short of calumny, fearlessly advanced his opinions. Those opinions, Mr. Goodwin's position, and his acknowledged ability should have claimed consideration for. The conclusions which had not been hastily arrived at, ought to have been deliberately weighed. The author of this work is proud to acknowledge the obligation under which the courtesy of Mr. Goodwin has placed him, and with pleasure confesses that he has, in that gentleman's society, learned much upon a subject which he had previously diligently studied to become the master of. The facts which Mr. Goodwin brings forward in support of his convictions, are strange and startling. The candour with which he courts investigation, enforces belief. He is certainly right in his own sphere; so far as his observations have extended, his conclusion cannot be overthrown. To the information he has generously afforded the author, allusion will repeatedly be made in the course of this work; but at present the remarks must be confined to the models in Mr. Goodwin's possession. One of these exhibits the mouth of a colt called Julius, (which was ridden by Her Majesty) retaining the lateral milk incisors, when but a few days were wanting for the completion of the fourth year. The teeth that should have been shed, however, are evidently on the eve of leaving the jaw, and therefore though an exception, it is not so much so as to grossly mislead the judgment beyond a few months. It is to be regretted that the molars of this horse were not examined, and to the tables of the incisors, as shown in the model, I make no allusion, because these parts evidently have not received the particular attention of the artist, and consequently cannot be argued upon. The same gentleman has also favoured me with the inspection of a model of the teeth of a horse known to have wanted three months of the third year: nevertheless the mouth is that of a colt which would be pronounced to be "rising four." The lateral incisors on both sides, and in both jaws are fully up, and they possess tables, which, if correctly depicted, indicate that for some time they have been in apposition. A lusus naturæ of this sort is beyond the pale of reason. Connected with it there is no record of the development of the molars; and on the state of the tables as shown in the cast, I am, for the causes before stated, not inclined to place any great reliance. The growth of the incisors shows the colt to be "rising four;" the evidence declares it only to be "coming three." Here is an exception to a general rule: one which I believe is unique; at all events I am aware of the existence of no similar specimen; and it is to be lamented that the growth of the incisors, from the earliest period, had not in this horse been observed. As a unique specimen it is curious, but as a premature and extraordinary development, it cannot be opposed to a general rule. Children have been born with three legs, or joined together at various parts; but the race of men are nevertheless described as having two inferior extremities, and as being independent in their existence. A solitary instance is no more than a curiosity, and, until it is proved to be the exemplification of a general rule, must not be made the basis of a general deduction. Such occurrences, however rare, nevertheless deserve consideration; and had the animal last alluded to been trained, there is no doubt any qualified judge would have pronounced it beyond the actual age. Therefore, gentlemen possessed of racing studs, should, from time to time, have the mouths of their horses examined by approved members of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, that any irregularity of development may be known and stated. To neglect so simple and reasonable a precaution, is to incur a needless hazard. By adopting it, the proprietor would be prepared to meet objection; and the idle reports that every year get into circulation would be quashed at their birth. A firmer basis for the authenticity of the age would be established than the reputation of the owner; and gentlemen would not annually be subjected to having their characters questioned by a host of interested ignoramuses. The turf is bound to adopt some measure of this kind for its own defence, especially as the honour of its members is, on every occasion, called into question, and a single instance of suspicion, seems, in the public eye, to warrant a general aspersion.

46. _When rising five years old all the horse teeth are in the mouth, but the corner teeth have yet to meet._ The peculiar sign of this particular age is the loss of the corner temporary incisors. It is scarcely possible to mistake the last milk tooth of the four year old, for the horse incisor which is characteristic of the fifth year; the difference between them is so great, that no person ought to confound one with the other. The corner milk tooth is often by the third year worn almost to a stump; its table being somewhat triangular, or occasionally round. By the fourth year it generally becomes a mere stump, or so changed in appearance that it contrasts in size with the other nippers, and seems incapable of performing any active function. At first, the permanent tooth when it makes its appearance, strikes us by its greater breadth, the gum not then having sufficiently retracted, or the tooth sufficiently grown to allow its after length being estimated. When the corner teeth are in the mouth, some time will elapse before they touch, but the incisors are then arranged so as to represent almost a semi-circle. The annexed wood-cut will convey an idea of the manner in which they are placed, and also of the shape of the tables of the central and lateral nippers, at the time when the corner teeth do not approximate, although they are through the gums.

The periods when the teeth which characterize the fifth year make their appearance, must now be described. When the animal is four years and three months of age, the gums of the upper corner teeth begin to redden, and before it is three months older, one of the corner milk teeth may have been removed. The opposite milk tooth speedily follows, and then the corner horse incisors grow down, and seem almost to be fully developed before the corner milk teeth of the lower jaw are shed. When, however, all the milk teeth are lost, the corner incisors will not touch for some time; and by the completion of the fifth year, though the teeth approximate, their tables are not formed, nor do their edges denote any amount of attrition. The corner tooth at five years old, looks young, and is principally covered by the membraneous crusta petrosa, which give to it a dark aspect, as though it were encrusted with tartar, little of the enamel being to be seen, while the shape of the gum is also characteristic. The five year old mouth, therefore, is easy of recognition, the shelly character of the corner teeth being very marked and not subject to much eccentricity in its figure. As five however, is the age when, for general purposes, the majority of high priced horses are brought into the market, the changes which take place before and after this period have been illustrated in the coloured engravings. When the animal is near to or rising five, the corner teeth are dark coloured, and though they touch, nevertheless their edges are not fairly together. The superior surfaces exhibit no tables, and the general aspect is such as is depicted in the engraving; the original of which was made from recollection of the appearances presented by the mouth of Mr. Payne's Rebel, which horse was seen at Hampton Court. The drawing was more recently corroborated and corrected by the mouth of a fine young black hunter, the property E. C. Crowley, Esq. The peculiarities of this age, as denoted by the corner teeth not closing, should be remarked. It is not altogether unimportant to observe this circumstance, as animals are esteemed suitable for particular uses, only after the fifth year has been completed, and certainly all are less liable to disease when the mouth has been perfected. The distinction, therefore, is of some moment; and the better to enforce it, the reader will remember, that not until the accomplishment of the fifth year do the tables of the corner teeth begin to show: even at that time, however, they are very imperfect.

47. _At five years old there is a full mouth of horse incisors, all the edges of which fairly meet._ The coloured engraving--which has been amply proved, by comparing it with the mouths of horses of various breed, among which those of blood have not been forgotten, since it was last tested by the aspect presented by the teeth of the well-known horse, The Baron,--will instruct the reader in the altered character which the mouth now assumes. It looks more huge, and far more powerful than it did at the fourth year. The teeth fairly close, but on inspection there can be detected slight signs of wear. The tables are not yet formed. The anterior edges alone are rendered level; all posterior to the infundibulum being as yet untouched. The tables then present the appearance indicated in the following wood-cut, which also represents the semi-circular order in which they are arranged.

48. _At five years off the corner teeth only show slight wear, and the posterior margins are round._ Much of the original coating of the crusta petrosa is retained, but in colour it may not at this time be dark. At those places where it has been recently worn down, it is often of a yellow tint, which is but a little deeper than the enamel, which last, however, is nevertheless easily distinguished by its greater transparency and more pearly appearance. This peculiarity in the crusta petrosa not unseldom gives to the six year old mouth a darker aspect than is presented by the teeth of the younger animal; and the author, to convey to the reader some idea of this fact, has purposely rendered the incisors of the next representation of the mouth, as they frequently are seen. Such a circumstance, however, will not confuse the judgment. The corner nippers still look young to him who is acquainted with those signs which denote youth in the horse's teeth, and the coloured engraving will convey a fair idea of the aspect they now put on. The corner nipper, in fact, after the fourth year, leads, in a great measure, if it does not entirely sway, the judgment. This tooth is sometimes called the shell tooth, on account of its infundibulum being, for the most part, better exhibited and longer retained than in the other incisors. The tables, however, of the other teeth should also receive some attention: those of the centre nippers may exhibit the infundibula shallow, or, in certain instances, when the crusta petrosa which lines these cavities is very thick, no infundibula may be distinguishable: even then, however, on close inspection, the form of the cavity will be discovered, marked out by a line of enamel, and the space that is usually vacant filled up with a substance, which in appearance differs little from the ivory. The tables of the lateral incisors will be fully formed, and the infundibulum is rarely obliterated, while its margin is always circumscribed and well defined, as the previous wood-cuts will indicate.

49. _At six years of age, the corner teeth look more firmly set, and their edges begin to be uneven_; they have become more square in the figure of the external surface; the edges of the teeth, when the mouth is closed, fairly meet; the round appearance of the posterior border is nearly lost, and the teeth are altogether of a most prominent character. The table of the corner teeth, nevertheless, is still confined to the part anterior to the infundibulum, which cavity is not yet fairly circumscribed or surrounded by a level margin. The infundibula may be lost in the central incisors, and those of the lateral teeth may begin to look shallow; but more generally these cavities are retained at six years old. The tables, likewise, have somewhat changed their positions, and the semi-circle which they formed at the fifth year, now is hardly so perfect, though still well marked. The above description will be the better understood by reference to the coloured engraving, which has been compared with the mouths of numerous animals, viz., Skeleton Sorella, and a brown horse, the property of Mr. T. Brown, &c., &c. The reader, however, will at once recognise the general truth of the drawing, the purpose of which the accompanying wood-cut will serve to explain. The alteration in the semi-circular arrangement will be better perceived by contrasting the present diagram with the one which preceded it, and though the change may not seem very great, nevertheless, sufficient is indicated to instruct the eye accustomed to observe it. The corner teeth have now acquired a degree of surface which will fairly represent a table, though it is still imperfect. The more darkly shaded portion of the separated table denotes the part which has yet received no attrition, but notwithstanding it is readily discerned that the nipper has come into active use.

50. _At seven years off, the corner teeth, without showing age, exhibit further evidence of wear._ The coloured engraving to which the reader must refer, exhibits those alterations which have now taken place. The original sketch was made from the mouth of a horse in the possession of the author's father, and having been corroborated by the inspection of numerous others, it is confidently put forward as characteristic of the age. I cannot here forbear from acknowledging the personal kindness and professional attention bestowed upon me by Mr. Percival, who, on being made aware that I was engaged upon a work illustrative of the horse's teeth, not only allowed me to inspect the mouths of the animals under his charge, but honoured me by accompanying me and assisted my endeavours to arrive at a just conclusion by his remarks. I have also to express my thanks to Mr. Braby for the liberty to inspect the large stud of heavy dray horses in the stables of Messrs. Barclay and Perkins, the eminent brewers. The advantages I derived from comparing so many mouths of the same age at the same time, and the facilities which were given of minutely examining each, enable me with more certainty to speak upon a subject which otherwise it would have been prudent to mention only in the most qualified terms. However, after such ample investigation, I can, with confidence, refer to the plate depicting the mouth at seven years off. Looking at it, the reader will see the teeth have become more white, in consequence of the crusta petrosa having, by the natural wear, been to a greater extent removed. The tushes are exhibited as fully up, in which condition they are generally seen. Where the corner teeth meet, they close in such a manner as denotes considerable use. The way in which the gums encircle the necks of the shell teeth has also changed. By referring back to the engraving of the five-year off mouth, the difference will be more readily understood, the round arrangement of the gums at the earlier age being very significant. The tables of the teeth, however, at this period ought never to be overlooked; they afford, perhaps, the best indications on which the judgment can be based. The infundibula may or may not be gone in the lateral teeth; but those of the corner teeth have at this age become defined. Where the corner teeth meet, in consequence of those of the lower jaw being, in many horses, a little the most forward, the upper shell teeth may present posteriorly a small projection, which is seldom seen prior to the seventh year. When this is present, it is so obvious as not to escape observation, therefore, it has not been depicted in the coloured engraving, which has purposely been made to represent the less marked indication that is more difficult to judge by. The reader will see the projection alluded to slightly indicated in the previous coloured engraving, portraying the mouth at six years off. Where the two shell teeth meet, he will observe that the most backward portion of the upper, not being opposed by the lower tooth, and consequently suffering no wear, bulges slightly downwards. It is this particular part, which often at the seventh year, by the wearing down of the upper tooth, becomes so apparent as to be significant of the age. It is, however, not constantly present, and the tables consequently become of the greater importance, as they are always to be found. Those of the lateral incisors begin to depart from their oval figure, and those of the central nippers are growing decidedly angular: the tushes may have the edges slightly rounded, and the semi-circle which the tables of the incisors formed when the animal was five years old, may exhibit some inclination to change in favour of the lineal arrangement that is in many horses so prominently marked in old age. This semi-circular arrangement of the incisors is most conspicuous when the colt is rising five; and from that period gradually alters, till in very old subjects the tables will occasionally be ranged almost in a straight line. The alteration which takes place in this respect is, however, by no means uniform, and though, consequently, no rule can be absolutely laid down concerning it, yet, from the known inclination of the teeth to assume a certain figure, an inference can be drawn which, connected with other signs, enables a pretty close opinion to be formed. At the seventh year, however, the corner teeth, their external figure, and the form of their tables, taken in conjunction with the wear exhibited by the central and lateral incisors, and considered with the narrowed but not yet sharp edge of the lower jaw, enable the judge to arrive, with tolerable certainty, at a conclusion. The following representation of the tables, taken in conjunction with the coloured engraving of the seven-year old mouth, will convey an idea of its appearance at that age. The reader will remark the infundibulum of the corner tooth has become circumscribed, being now encircled by a flattened surface, which posteriorly is of some width.