130 THE VETERINARY SCIENCE 



12. Inflammation of the Tongue (Glossitis). 



This is not a very common disease. 



Causes. — It is sometimes caused by handling the tongue 

 rough, by pulling too hard when taking «t out of the mouth, 

 or by giving irritating medicines which are not diluted 

 enough with water; by eating poisonous grasses or some- 

 times by a thorn sticking in the tongue. 



Symptoms. — There is a flow of saliva from the mouth. 

 The animal cannot chew his food well, and there is difficulty 

 in swallowing and breathing. The tongue becomes red and 

 is painful when pressed upon, is very much swollen, and in 

 some cases sticks out of the mouth. There is a general 

 feverish condition and after a few days small boils containing 

 matter begin to form around the tongue. The lining covering 

 the tongue becomes dry and cracked in several places. If not 

 relieved he will soon die of starvation, because of being 

 unable to eat. 



Treatment. — If caused by a thorn or any foreign sub- 

 stance, remove it and give a dose of laxative medicine, say a 

 pint of raw linseed oil. Bathe and gargle the tongue with 

 the following: 



Laudanum 1 ounce, or 4 dessertspoonfuls. 



Pulverized Alum 1 teaspoonful. 



Water I pint. 



Gargle or bathe the tongue three or four times a day, 

 and blister in the space under the jaws with a mustard 

 plaster. If the tongue is swollen very much it is well to lance 

 it with a knife and allow the watery matter to escape, and 

 also to open those of the little boils that have matter in them 

 and let it escape. Feed soft food with plenty of boiled flax 

 seed in it, as it has a soothing effect on the tongue. Follow 

 up with the following powder: 



Nitrate of Potash or Saltpetre % pound. 



Sulphur l A pound. 



Pulverized Alum % pound. 



Mix thoroughly and give a teaspoonful on the tongue 

 three times a day. These medicines serve two purposes — to 

 gargle and heal the tongue as well as build up the system. 



