204 MANUAL OF EQUINE MEDICINE. 



Internally, antacids, such as bicarbonate of jjotash, with 

 vegetable tonics are required in some cases, and they may 

 be preceded by the administration of a mild purgative. 



GLOSSITIS. — Inflammation of the structure of the tongue 

 is rarely met with in the horse, except when resulting from 

 the action of irritants, or from mechanical injury. It may 

 follow on inflammation of the neighbouring structures. 



The tongue becomes swollen, tense, and painful from the 

 inflammatory infiltration, and soon protrudes in consequence 

 of its increase in size. There is difficulty in swallowing, 

 and ropy saliva and mucus accumulate in the mouth. 



Treatment. — Gargling, firstly with warm water, and 

 afterwards with antiseptic or astringent lotions, is recom- 

 mended. Laxatives, if required, must be given per rectum. 



PAROTITIS. — Inflammation of the parotid gland may 

 affect one or both sides, and is a frequent accompaniment of 

 strangles. 



Parotitis is acute or subacute, and is often met with 

 associated with or supervening on various febrile attacks. 



Symptoms. — When of an acute type, parotitis may 

 quickly terminate in abscess of the gland. The inflamma- 

 tion, however, is usually of slower progress, and reveals 

 itself by gradual swelling and tenderness of the gland, with 

 difficulty in moving the head and protrusion of the nose. 

 The inflammation may gradually subside, or it may termi- 

 nate in abscess, which, if not opened, may burst into the 

 pharyngeal pouch. 



When the inflammation is very acute, the whole gland 

 may be aff'ected ; but when not so intense, it is usually 

 limited to a portion of the gland-structure. 



Treatment. — Hot fomentations or poultices may be ap- 

 plied for a time, and if pus forms it should be liberated. 



If the inflammation j^roceeds slowly, a cantharides blister 

 or tincture of iodine of three times the B.P. strength may 



