STRANGLES. 



149 



swellings which accompany or indicate glanders, by their being larger, 

 generally not so distinct, more in the centre of the channel or space 

 between the jaws, and never adhering to the jaw-bones. The farriers call 

 them ViVES, and often adopt cruel and absurd methods to disperse them : 

 such as burning them witii a lighted candle or hot iron, or even cutting 

 them out. They will, in the majority of instances, gradually disperse, as 

 the disease which produced them subsides; or they will yield to slightly 

 stimulating embrocations ; or, if they are obstinate in their continuance, 

 they are of no further consequence, than as indicating that the horse has 

 laboured under severe cold or strangles. 



During catarrh, or inflammation of the mouth, the little projections 

 marking the opening of these ducts, on either side of the bridle of the 

 tongue, are apt to enlarge ; and the mouth under the tongue is a little red, 

 and hot and tender. The farriers call these swellings Barbs or Paps, and 

 as soon as they discover them, mistaking the effect of disease for the cause 

 of it, set to work to cut them close off. The bleeding which follows this 

 operation somewhat abates the local inflammation, and affords temporary 

 relief: but the wounds will not speedily heal ; the saliva continues to flow 

 from the orifice of the duct, and running into the irregularities of the 

 wound, cause it to spread and deepen ; and even when it heals, the mouth 

 of the duct being frequently closed, and the saliva continuing to be secreted 

 by the submaxillary gland, it gradually accumulates in the duct, until that 

 vessel bursts, and abscesses are formed, which eat deeply under the root of 

 the tongue, and long torment the poor animal, and when closed, after a 

 great deal of trouble, are very apt to break out again for months and years 

 afterwards. 



All that is necessary with regard to these paps or barbs is to abate the 

 inflammation or cold which caused them to swell, and they will very soon 

 and perfectly subside. He who ever talks of cutting them out is not fit to 

 be trusted with a horse. 



A third source of saliva is from glands under the tongue (the subl'mgunl 

 glands), which open by many little orifices under the tongue, resembling 

 little folds of the skin of the mouth, hanging from the lower surface of the 

 tongue, or found on the bottom of the mouth. These likewise sometimes 

 enlarge during cold or inflammation of the mouth, and then they are called 

 gfg3, and h/adders, and flaps in the mouth. Tiiey have the appearance of 

 small pimples, and the farrier is anxious to burn them off or cut them down. 

 The better way is to let them alone; for in a few days they will generally 

 disappear. Should any ulceration follow them, a little tincture of myrjh, 

 or a solution of alum, will readily heal them. 



Besides these three principal sources of saliva, there are little glands to 

 be found thickly studded on every part of the mouth, cheeks, and lips, 

 which pour out a considerable quantity of fluid, to assist in moistening and 

 preparing the food. 



Connected with these glands, and particularly with the submaxillary and 

 parotid glands, and being either an inflammation of them, or of the cellular 

 substance immediately around them, is 



THE STRANGLES. 



This is a disease pnncipally incident to young horses ; usually appear, 

 ing between the fourth and fifth year, and oftener in the spring than in 

 any other part of the year. It is always preceded by cough, and can 

 at first be scarcely distinguished from common cough, except that there is 



