366 THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



and the animal gradually loses flesh, and occasionally dies — 

 death being in such cases really due to starvation. 



Treatment. — Endeavour to find out the orisfinal cause of 



o 



the trouble, and if the inflammation has been produced by 

 the administration of ammonia or any other alkaline irritant, 

 the treatment should consist of acid gargles, as vinegar, 

 etc. ; if the irritation is found to be due to the administra- 

 tion of an acid, alkaline solutions should be used, with the 

 view of neutralizing any acid that may still be present, and 

 antagonizing and removing the effects already produced. 

 In cases due to causes other than the administration of acids 

 or alkalies, alum, mellis, potass chlorate, tr. opii, etc., will 

 each be found of great service to cool the parts and allay 

 irritation : if there is much swelling present, the tongue 

 should be scarified and bathed with tepid water afterwards. 

 If the swelling interfere with respiration, it may become 

 necessary to perform the operation of tracheotomy. In case 

 suppuration occurs, it should be treated in the ordinary way, 

 and as though occurring in any other part of the body. If 

 the case results in induration of the tongue, the various pre- 

 parations of iodine are likely to be of great service ; they 

 may be administered internally and applied externally by 

 rubbing into the sub-maxillary space, but, as a rule, the 

 animal drags out a miserable existence, gradually loses 

 flesh, becomes more and more emaciated, and finally, after 

 lingering for a considerable length of time, dies in those 

 cases in which induration is well marked. Where there is 

 much fever, febrifuges are to be administered, refrigerants 

 and diuretics will also be found to be of considerable 

 service ; and a moderate dose of cathartic medicine may be 

 given with great benefit in most cases. If the animal 

 shows any desire to eat, he should be allowed plenty of soft 

 food or gruel, and an abundance of pure cold water to 

 drink. 



