CHAPTER|XVIII. 

 TUMORS OF THE GUMS. 



THEIR CHARACTER, CAUSES AND TREATMENT EPULIS. 



The gums and alveolar processes of horses, cat- 

 tle and sheep, very frequently have developed from 

 them tumors and excrescences of various kinds, vary- 

 ing in character from the most simple growth of the 

 gum to morbid productions of a fungoid or cancer- 

 ous nature. Some disappear without having ever 

 directed the attention of the attendant, while others 

 are of such a nature that they will not even yield to 

 the most energetic treatment. There is no part of 

 the mouth peculiarly susceptible but they may exist 

 in any portion. 



Their character and appearance are variable; 

 some are smooth, others rough and ragged and some- 

 times covered with ulcers; some have abroad base, 

 others are pedicled; some are soft, others hard and 

 fibrous; some grow so slowly that their growth is 

 scarcely perceptible while the growth of others is 

 exceedingly rapid; some are very vascular while 

 others are almost destitute of blood vessels; some 

 are nearly insensitive while others are highly sensi- 



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