HEALTH AND DISEASE 



CONGESTION OF THE PALATE (Lampas) 



Lampas is a congested state of that portion of the palate situated 

 immediately behind the upper row of front teeth. It is mostly seen in 

 young animals during the period when the teeth are being changed, but 

 adult horses are also liable to it as the result of disorders affecting the 

 stomach and bowels, and as an accompaniment of fever attacks. 



It is of no great consequence in itself, but has been regarded with ex- 

 aggerated importance for generations past, and has been the pretext for end- 

 less cruelty by ignorant grooms and pretenders to the art of horse surgery. 



Symptoms.- In this state of the palate the act of feeding is materi- 

 ally interfered with, and the horse is noticed to fail in his appetite or drop 

 the food from his mouth. Examination of the palate shows the membrane 

 to be swollen and to extend below the teeth. It is red, tense, and painful 

 to the touch, and not infrequently attended with slight fever and general 

 constitutional disturbance. 



Treatment. — In large numbers of instances swollen palate is of a 

 temporary or passing nature, and subsides without medical or surgical 

 interference; but the severity and continuance of some cases call for 

 special attention. In these it may be desirable to scarify the palate with 

 a sharp, clean lancet or penknife, and remove a few ounces of blood; or, 

 in the case of digestive troubles, a dose of physic, followed by a short 

 period of dieting, will be sufficient to effect a cure. 



AVhile the pain and swelling continues, the food will be rendered more 

 agreeable to the patient by being damped or scalded. It need hardly 

 be said that the practice of burning the "bars" with a hot iron is bar- 

 barous and useless, and it should be generally known that such acts are 

 cruel and punishable by law. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE THROAT (Pharyngitis) 



Sore throat, as this disease is commonly termed, is an ailment of 

 frequent occurrence in the horse, appearing on sonic occasions in the 

 course of one or another of the contagious fevers to which this animal 

 is liable, and on others as an independent local affection, the result of 

 cold. Young horses suffer most frequently and severely, and especially 

 when transferred from the pure air of the open pasture to the foul 

 atmosphere of the stable. 



The disease is usually limited to the vascular membrane lining the 

 cavity, and may be of the mildest description. In this case it passes 



