426 CHAPTER 59. 



CHAPTER 59. 



LAMPAS. 

 877. Lampas. 877a. Dentistry. 8776. Stomatitis. 877c. Glossitis. 



877. Lampas. 



Lampas is congestion of the blood-vessels in the lining membrane of 

 the Palate. It is most common in young animals from irritation set up 

 by the growth of or changes in the teeth. It may also occur in horses at 

 work from inflammation set up by bit injuries, and in old horses from 

 irregularity of the teeth. The soreness so caused will prevent the horse 

 from masticating his corn, and the inflammation may give rise to feverish 

 symptoms. 



Where the inflammation and soreness is due to the processes of denti- 

 tion, no treatment is necessary except to put the animal on wet bran and 

 soft food for a few days, by which time the inflammation will have sub- 

 sided and the soreness passed away, and the horse will again feed. 



Where the inflammation is due to injuries from the bit, the remedy of 

 course is to remove the cause and treat as above. 



When Lampas occurs in old horses, the cause will be found in some 

 irregularity of the teeth, generally of the molars. The irregularity must 

 be carefully removed by the rasp (see infra, Dentistry). Other treat- 

 ment as above. 



In cases where the congestion is excessive, and causes the palate to 

 project on a level with or below the tables of the Incisors, free scarifica- 

 tion, which consists of superficial incisions with a lancet, will afford 

 immediate relief. 



A brutal practice was in fashion some years ago of burning the palate 

 with a hot iron. This barbarous and useless custom is now happily 

 extinct. 



877a. Dentistry. 



In young horses some febrile diseases, which are commonly attributed 

 to atmospheric or other causes, are often due to Teething, especially 

 in blood stock, which are forced and artificially developed from the 

 moment of weaning to prepare them for their turf engagements. It is 

 therefore always wise to examine and be guided by the state of the gums 

 before adopting any treatment. The mischief is generally caused by 

 some irregularity in the development of the permanent molars, especially 

 when their growth is interfered with by retarded removal of the crowns 

 of the temporary ones. The gums will show considerable irritation and 

 inflammation. 



The treatment consists in keeping the animal on soft diet and grass if 

 obtainable, with slight scarification, lancing of the congested membrane, 

 or the sunncal aid indicated. 



