374 THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



APTHAE. 



Apthae, or as it is sometimes termed, Thrush, consists of 

 an eruption taking place about the lips and tongue. 

 Stomatitis is another name that is applied to the same 

 condition. Catarrhal, pustular, and vesicular stomatitis 

 are the three stages of the same disease. 



Symptoms. — The first symptom to attract attention is a 

 reddened condition of the parts. Little vesicles are now- 

 formed, and the mouth is found to be hot and tender. 

 Pyrexia, both general and local, is more or less marked, 

 but, as a rule, the pulse is not affected to any very great 

 extent. The appetite is impaired, or wholly lost, and there 

 is more or less difficulty in performing mastication. The 

 disease may assume a contagious form, but, as a rule, it 

 does not in horses. It is generally due to faulty digestion, 

 feeding on bad food, as musty hay, or any description of 

 food not fitted for digestion. 



Treatment. — As a rule, this condition is easily overcome. 

 The food of the animal should be changed immediately, the 

 bowels may also be gently acted upon by an oleaginous 

 draught containing a little gentian and sodium carbonate. 

 Occasionally a moderate dose of aloes will be found of 

 great benefit. Cooling and astringent gargles should be 

 used. In some cases zinc sulphas in solution may be used 

 with care. After the acute symptoms have subsided, the 

 animal is frequently very weak ; tonics should then be used, 

 as gentian in combination with sodium carbonate. Quinia 

 sulphas is highly beneficial, and may be given in doses of 5i. ; 

 if given in a bolus, there should be added a few drops of 

 acid sulph. to cut it, and favour its solution. Quantities 

 varying from grs. ii. to grs. v. may be given hypodermically, 

 producing as good an effect as 51. given by the mouth. Some 

 French veterinarians are very much in favour of injecting it 



