SECTION V. 



DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM. 



I. DISEASES OF THE MOUTH AND PHARYNX. 



LAMPAS. 



What is meant by lampas ? 



It is a swelling, or, in some cases, an inflammation of the mu- 

 cous membrane of the hard palate. 



The mucous membrane projects beyond the incisors and is 

 probably only troublesome during dentition; as a rule, these cases, 

 when brought to your notice, will reveal upon examination a deeper 

 trouble, as laryngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, etc. Or the swelling 

 of the gums may be entirely dependent upon disordered digestion. 



What can be done for this condition ? 



The old practice was to burn these with a red-hot iron. This 

 would cause a slough, which would leave a wound, interfering more 

 or less with the act of prehension. This sort of treatment should 

 not be used under any consideration. The cause of the apparent 

 benefits observed from burning the gums will be found in the fact 

 that during the processes of sloughing and healing the animal will 

 not eat well, and when the mouth gets well he is hungry and eats 

 ravenously. 



The horse does not chew with this part of the mouth, and 

 therefore it requires little or no treatment. In these cases we have 

 to treat the owner, and so ofttimes we scarify the grim lightly to 

 please him, or give some mild astringent wash. If indigestion be 

 the fault, treat to overcome that deranged function. 



Probably the best way is to recommend corn on the cob, telling 

 the owner that this will wear down the gums; another fact, showing 

 that lampas does not amount to much, except during dentition, 

 is that the animal will oat this hard com off the cob. 



155 



