All this is, doubtless, very pleasant, but how does it operate upon the poor horses? These, to be pulled up suddenly, must be thrown upon their haunches by the unscrupulous use of the bit. The pressure often wounds more than the gums; frequently the bone of the lower jaw is bruised. The gum then must slough, and a portion of bone must be cast off. The exfoliation of bone is a tedious process accompanied with an abominable stench. The surgeon must be constantly in attendance; otherwise the gum might close over the exfoliating bone and numerous sinuses might be established within the mouth. The exfoliated substance must come away. The abscess, which would announce its retention, would be more painful than the open wound, and ultimately would turn to a foul and ragged ulcer. Such an injury may occur wherever the bit rests, before or behind the tush, and a similar injury, though not to the same extent, will result from an unscrupulous use of the snaffle. [Illustration: THE EFFECTS PRODUCED ON THE LOWER JAW BY THE ENERGETIC USE OF THE SNAFFLE OR BIT. The most forward and smaller mark indicates the injury usually done by pulling at the snaffle. The more backward dark place indicates the spot where tugging at the bit bruises the bone of the lower jaw. ] Supposing a case of this description is submitted to your notice upon the day succeeding its occurrence. No change is anticipated, such as would denote a bruise to other structures. The covering to the gums is thick and hard, and it will conceal much that may be taking place beneath it. If any spot be darker, redder, or whiter in color,--if any place be more sensitive than the adjacent parts, the knife is there inserted till it grate upon the bone. The extent of the necessary incision is decided by the efforts made in resistance. A thin fluid may issue from the orifice; but when the knife grates upon the bone, then the animal's struggles announce the extent of the bruise. Sound bone may be cut, scraped, or even burnt with impunity; but when bruised or otherwise diseased, the structure is most acutely sensitive. When the wound emits its characteristic odor, a lotion composed of chloride of zinc, one scruple; water, one pint; ess. of aniseseed a sufficiency, should be syringed into the openings, several times during the day. The lotion, also, has a tendency to heal the sores, which must be counteracted by the employment of the knife. Occasionally, however wide the incision, it may be too small for the cast off bone to escape from. The knife again must enlarge the orifice, and the forceps be inserted to grasp the exfoliated substance. That taken away, the lotion is continued and the injury left to heal at Nature's pleasure. [Illustration: INJURY SOMETIMES ACCOMPLISHED WITH THE PORT OF THE BIT.]