PART III. 

 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE TRACT. 



CHAPTER I. 

 DISEASES OF THE MOUTH. 



Examination. The examination of the oral cavity requires 

 good light (daylight) or in some cases artificial light (electric- 

 bulb with reflector) is necessary where a careful examination 

 is to be made. In docile animals the mouth can be opened 

 by pressing the lips against the teeth above and below causing 

 the animal to open the jaws. For protracted examination 

 it is necessary to hold the mouth open by the use of tapes 

 placed just back of the canines, one tape above and one below, 

 which are grasped by an assistant ; or a mouth speculum may 

 be used. In vicious animals an anesthetic should be employed 

 (morphin for dogs; ether for cats). For examination of the 

 posterior part of the cavity, the tongue should be depressed 

 with a spatula, or pulled well forward with the fingers or 

 blunt forceps. In examining the mouth, the following 

 should be observed : 



(a) Odor. An offensive odor is noted from retained 

 or decomposed food; ulcerative or gangrenous stomatitis; 

 gangrene of the lungs; fetid bronchitis; acute* and chronic- 

 gastritis; caries of the teeth; roup in birds. The odor is 

 often characteristic and readily distinguished. In some 

 poisonings the odor of the drug is evident (carbolic acid, 

 hydrocyanic acid, etc.). 



(b) Secretions. Secretion is diminished in all acute febrile 

 conditions; in some poisonings (belladonna, atropin). Secre- 



