COXGESTIOX OF THE BUCCAL MEMBRANE. 593 



CHAPTER XXXIIL 



DISEASES OF THE MOUTH, TONGUE, AND ASSOCLiTED GLAND- 

 STRUCTURES. 



Although it is probably chiefly under the province of surgery 

 that the greater number of the affections of the mouth and 

 contiguous structures in the horse ought to be grouped, seeing 

 they are mainly the result of injury inflicted wittingly, or 

 through maladjustment of bits, etc., there are yet several dis- 

 ordered conditions which, as they may appear unconnected with 

 violence sustained from without, or in the ordinary process of 

 mastication, more properly demand some notice at our hand. 



I. Congestion of the Buccal Membrane. 



A turgid and somewhat hypertemic state of the buccal mem- 

 brane, to an extent which seems to interfere with the process 

 of mastication, and even to induce a slight amount of fever and 

 general indisposition, is a matter of common observation. As 

 the condition known to our fathers under the term ' Lam'pas' 

 it occupies a rather prominent place in all their descriptions of 

 equine ailments. Its frequency of appearance in nearly all 

 classes of horses, particularly the young, may be accounted for 

 when we have regard to its symptomatic character, and the 

 very numerous conditions with which it apj)ears associated as 

 an accompaniment or symptom. 



Causation. — It chiefly results from — (1) Direct irritation of 

 the buccal membrane and contiguous structures : (a) From the 

 contact with bits and other means of restraint ; ih) From the 

 action of certain substances and food materials ; (c) From dental 

 changes, natural or abnoi-mal. (2) From disturbance of the 

 alimentary tract, gastric or intestinal. 



Symptoms. — The principal symptoms indicative of this state 

 are local ; the general are rather exceptional. That which is 

 likely to attract attention more readily than aught else in the 

 earlier stages is a disposition to slaver more than usual, both 

 when at work and in the stable, particularly v/hen feeding. 

 When an examination is attempted there is shown disinclina- 

 tion to have the mouth touched; and however quietly the 



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