258 HKALTH AND DISEASE 



and keeping down the fever which attends its development. The former 

 may be assisted by poulticing the throat continuously and allowing the 

 animal to inhale warm vapour from a bran mash at the bottom of a 

 nose-bag. A little electuary of belladonna and treacle rubbed up with 

 a little powdered chlorate of potash will diminish local pain. A small 

 quantity should be put into the mouth three or four times a day by 

 means of a spatula made out of a piece of stick. 



A dram and a half of nitrate of potash in the drinking-water or in 

 sloppy bran mash may be all that is needful in the way of medicine. 

 During the formation of abscess in the throat no attempt should be 

 made to give draughts or balls. If the fever runs high 2 ounces of 

 alcohol should be given in the drinking-water three or four times a day 

 and the body should be kept warm by ample clothing and bandages to 

 the legs. Where the abscess points outwardly it should be freely laid 

 open by means of a clean lancet so soon as it is found to fluctuate under 

 pressure of the finger. 



Plenty of fresh air and a clean apartment are necessary adjuncts to 

 medical treatment. 



SALIVATION, OR PTYALISM 



This disease consists in an excessive secretion of saliva, and may result 

 from various causes — some acting directly on the salivary organs them- 

 selves, others exciting their undue action by irritating remote parts. 

 Injuries and eruptions in the mouth, from whatever cause, will induce it. 

 A knowledge of this fact should lead to an inspection of the mouth on 

 all occasions where saliva is unduly secreted. Nor should it be overlooked 

 that sharp and dirty "bits" may excite the necessary irritation, as may 

 also some chemicals, and acrid plants. In man mercury is a common 

 cause, and the same results follow its repeated administration in the 

 horse. It is frecmently present in the disorders above referred to, and 

 occasionally arises from indigestion and gastric irritation. On rare occa- 

 sions it is seen as the result of neuralgia and other forms of nervous 

 disturbance. 



Symptoms. — Foaming at the mouth while feeding very commonly 

 results from salivation, and in the absence of food, the animal, if watched, 

 will be seen to be repeatedly swallowing, while at the same time saliva 

 drivels from the mouth. 



Treatment. — Where the disorder is due to some mechanical or 

 chemical irritant the cause should be removed. Where the edges of 

 the teeth are sharp, the tooth - rasp must be freely applied to them. 



