PARALYSIS OF THE LIPS. 407 



and its neurilemma, with swelling and exudation. The exudate 

 pressing upon the substance of the nerve, adds to the already 

 existing loss of function. If the cheeks are carefully manipu- 

 lated, the swollen nerves can be distinctly felt. 



Some writers attribute this paralysis to indigestion or other 

 obscure causes. But I cannot conceive how it can arise except 

 from that already stated — and this is the only cause I have yet 

 met with in my practice — or from disease of the petrous tem- 

 poral bone, through which the portio dura passes, and disease of 

 the brain. 



Treatment. — Eemoval of all pressure from the head and face. 

 If the animal is tied in the stall by a head-collar, this must be 

 removed and replaced by the neck-strap ; or wh.ut is better, it 

 should be turned loose into a box. The pressure of the head 

 collar may seem trivial, but it is sufficient to retard the progress 

 of recovery for an indefinite period. The food should be soft, 

 and placed in a convenient position ; a deepish manger is the 

 best, as the horse is apt to toss it about and waste much, owing 

 to the absence of prehension. A purgative is useful, assisting 

 to remove the inflammation of the nerves. Fomentations and 

 rubefacients are to be applied to the masseter region; and if 

 these prove ineffective, the absorption of the. exudate must be 

 excited by repeated applications of the biniodide of mercury 

 ointment. It is quite unnecessary to administer nervine tonics, 

 as nux vomica, for the paralysis depends upon inflammation of 

 the nerve, and its continuance upon the pressure of the exudate, 

 the removal of which, if organic change in the nerve tissue 

 has not been induced, will restore the power to the paralysed 

 muscles. The biniodide may be assisted in its action by the 

 internal administration of iodine qr its salts. Commonly, this 

 treatment will suffice, but should the loss of power still continue, 

 setons over the cheeks, or the actual cautery, are to be tried. I 

 have seen a great number of cases, but only one which was in- 

 curable. 



AFFECTIONS OF THE DUCTS AND GLANDS OF THE MOUTH. 

 OPEN PAROTID DUCT. 



Steno's duct winds round the inferior maxillary bone, in com 



2k 



