What I have said above must not be taken as a positive guide in all cases, for mules’ mouths are frequently torn, twisted, smashed, and knocked into all kinds of shapes by cruel treatment, and the inexperience, to use no harsher term, of those who have charge of them.  Indeed, I have known cases of cruelty so severe that it were impossible to tell the age of the animal from his teeth.

At seven years old the mark, in the way in which I have described it, is worn out in the four central nippers, and is also fast wearing away in the corner teeth.  I refer now to a natural mouth that has not been subjected to injuries.  At eight years old the mark is gone from all the bottom nippers, and may be said to be quite out of the mouth.  There is nothing remaining in the bottom nippers by which the age of the mule can be positively ascertained.  The tushes are a poor guide at any time in the life of the animal to ascertain his age by; they, more than any other of the teeth, being most exposed to the injuries I have referred to.  From this time forward, the changes that take place in the teeth may be of some assistance in forming an opinion; but there are no marks in the teeth by which a year, more or less, can be positively ascertained.  You can ascertain almost as much from the general appearance of the animal as from an examination of the mouth.  The mule, if he be long-lived, has the same effect in changing his general appearance from youth to old age as is shown on the rest of the animal creation.

Diseases of the teeth.

There are few if any diseases to which the mule’s teeth are subject, after the permanent teeth are developed; but during the time of their changes I have been led to believe that he suffers more inconvenience, or at least as much as any other animal—­not so much on account of the suffering that nature inflicts upon him, as through the inexperience and cruelty of those who are generally intrusted with his care.  I will here speak first of lampass.  The animal’s mouth is made sore and sensitive by teething; and this irritation and soreness is increased by the use of improper bits.  As if this were not enough, resort is had to that barbarous and inhuman practice of burning out lampass.  This I do, and always have protested against.  If the gums are swollen from the cutting of teeth, which is about all the cause for their inflamed and enlarged appearance, a light stroke of a lancet or sharp knife over the gums, at a point where the teeth are forcing their way through, and a little regard to the animal’s diet, will be all that is necessary.  It must not be forgotten, that at this time the animal’s mouth is too sore and sensitive to masticate hard food, such as corn.  With the development of the teeth, however, the lampass will generally disappear.

The eye.

Mules are remarkable for having good eyes.  Occasionally they become inflamed and sore.  In such cases the application of cold water, and the removing of the cause, whether it be from chafing of the blinders, forcing the blood to the head through the influence of badly fitting collars, or any other cause known, is all I can recommend in their case.