LAMPAS. 427 



In aged horses the attention of the equine dentist is, however, most 

 needed to the molars. As age increases the permanent molars in many 

 cases require periodical rasping to prevent their sharp points from wound- 

 ing the inside of the cheeks, and thereby causing the horse to bolt his 

 food instead of properly masticating it, and thereby gives rise to indiges- 

 tion ; and in some instances the pain so caused will altogether prevent 

 the animal from feeding. Another commoner cause is irregularity in the 

 height of the molars. One or more may be so much higher than the 

 others as to interfere with mastication. The remedy is the rasp in the 

 hands of a skilful operator. 



When the Molars have to be smoothed or shortened, each tooth should 

 be rasped singly, not collectively, as was formerly the practice. Horse 

 tooth rasps have been very much improved of late years. Those of one 

 or not more than two inches in length in the rasp with ridge guards are 

 the best. 



A careful servant, who watches his horse while feeding, will readily 

 detect dental trouble by the Slobbering or " Salivation " that attends 

 painful or difficult mastication. In many cases the animal will eat with 

 his head on one side, whilst in worse cases the food after imperfect 

 mastication will be quidded or ejected from the mouth. 



8776. Stomatitis. 



In addition to the febrile conditions produced by Dentition, there are 

 some other diseases of the tongue and mouth, of which a short descrip- 

 tion may be useful. 



Stomatitis, or inflammation of the mouth, more frequent in old than in 

 young horses, is due to various causes, but most commonly to mechanical 

 violence or to barbed grasses, especially Squirrel-tail or Meadow barley. 

 The treatment is removal of the cause. Occasionally it occurs in foals, 

 whilst yet with their dam. 



Stomatitis usually takes the form of vesicles, which rupture suddenly, 

 leaving ulcers, which sometimes run into each other, and if occurring in 

 horses of bad habit of body they are tardy of healing. 



General treatment ordinary care of health and surroundings. The 

 local treatment consists in pulping the food, which should be given in 

 boiled linseed jelly. Gargling the mouth after feeding is also needed. 

 After gargling the excoriation may be painted with chlorate of potash, 

 half an ounce to a pint of water. Where foetor is present, a solution of 

 Sanitas, one part to six of water, will quickly subdue the smell. If the 

 ulcers become chronic, they may be rendered healthy by being dressed 

 with lunar caustic. 



877c. Glossitis. 



Glossitis or inflammation of the Tongue is a rare affection in the horse. 

 It is indicated by tenseness and protrusion of the tongue from tumefac- 

 tion. The dorsum or upper surface of the tongue becomes brown in 

 colour. There is difficulty in swallowing and an accumulation of glairy 

 saliva which, if not carefully removed, gives rise to foetor. 



