INFLAMMATION OF THE SALIVARY GLANDS. 327 



salivary glands, especially in Stenson's and Wharton's ducts. Meyer 

 found in Stenson's duct in a horse a spikelet of Timothy grass. Con- 

 cretions may also inflame the gland duct, producing pus formation 

 and salivary fistula. Foreign bodies in the duct can often be removed 

 by pressure in the direction of the buccal opening ; if this fail the 

 duct must be incised. 



Thiernesse described a disease in dogs similar to parotitis, but with- 

 standing all ordinary curative methods, and for which he recommended 

 complete extirpation of the gland. In similar disease occurring in horses, 

 the same surgical treatment must be adopted. A case of chronic inflam- 

 mation of the submaxillary gland in a horse occurred in Moller's clinique. 

 The swelling appeared slowly in the region of the larynx, produced per- 

 foration and a permanent fistulous wound. A long, painful induration 

 was found extending upwards in the course of the submaxillary gland, 

 and a fistulous opening below in the throat, from which a canal ran 

 throughout the greater part of the swelling. Healing was effected by 

 passing a seton needle upwards through the swelling, making an opening 

 and inserting a drainage-tube. 



Treatment. Owing to the character of acute parotitis, cold 

 applications are usually contra-indicated ; while warmth, in the form 

 of Preisnitz's poultices, inrubbing of camphorated oil, and warm 

 applications, are to be recommended. Warmth either leads to 

 dispersal of the swelling or hastens abscess formation, and, in any 

 case, shortens the progress of the disease. When marked fluctuation 

 appears the part should be opened, but this may be needful earlier 

 if dyspnoea threatens ; and where breathing is much interfered with, 

 tracheotomy becomes imperative. In ordinary circumstances distinct 

 fluctuation is waited for, thus avoiding the danger of the incision 

 wounding large blood-vessels or nerves, and of producing salivary 

 fistula. Caution is required in employing the often recommended 

 trocar, for injuries to large blood-vessels and considerable bleeding 

 are not altogether avoided, even by its careful use. As the contents 

 of the abscess are often under high pressure, and spurt out in a 

 stream, Stockfleth recommended making the opening from the opposite 

 side, and standing on a block of wood during the operation. The 

 method described in the next section is preferable. 



With chronic parotitis, little can be done. Cattle should be 

 prepared for slaughter without delay, because difficulty in breathing 

 and swallowing often appear later, and make feeding absolutely 

 impossible. Abscesses should be opened and their cavities washed 

 out with 10 per cent, chloride of zinc, or similar disinfectant. In 

 valuable animals, or such as have no slaughter value, total extirpation 

 of the parotid may be adopted. In acute inflammation of the sub- 



