SURGEON HEATH'S SKILL. 201 



" For the first fortnight I do not think the animal 

 took more than a gallon of the thin mashes and gruel 

 with which he was supplied ; but after that time the 

 use of the muscles of the tongue began to return, and 

 he was able to swallow a little. In about three weeks 

 he could lick up oatmeal and oilcake gruel made thick, 

 and in less than a month I removed the bandage (al- 

 though the splints remained for six weeks), as by this 

 time he could swallow a little pulped mangold grass, 

 cut into chaff. For nine weeks he could only feed on 

 cut fodder, when he was turned out to grass. At the 

 present time he is in perfect health, feeding on ordi- 

 nary diet and working constantly. The first and sec- 

 ond grinders, which were loosened, appear now to be 

 as firmly fixed as the others." 



The editor of "The Veterinarian" reports the case 

 of a pony that came near starving from having a stick 

 fastened in its mouth. No fracture of the bone was 

 produced, but the account of the case is worthy of in- 

 sertion here notwithstanding that fact, for it illustrates 

 a class of mishaps to which the horse is subject. He 

 says ("Veterinarian," 1855, p. 330): 



"A pony was turned into a pasture, and was not 

 seen for several days. The owner found it standing in 

 a corner of the field, looking dejected and thin, with a 

 small quantity of Viscid saliva escaping from its mouth. 

 He took care of the pony for a few days, during which 

 time it took nothing but a little water, which it drank 

 with great difficulty. Our attendance was now re- 

 quested. Examination disclosed a stick about the size 

 of one's finger, firmly wedged across the palate, be- 

 tween the corner incisors.. Its pressure had produced 



