498 DISEASES AND INJURIES OF THE FACIAL REGION. 



pany with the submaxillaiy artery and vein, and enters the 

 mouth between the second and third upper molar teeth. Its 

 course across the jaw is superficial, and hence it is liable to be 

 opened by direct violence, as kicks or heavy blows, or by ulcera- 

 tion of its coats when involved in the abscess of strangles. 

 Trom whatever cause it is opened, saHva is discharged from the 

 wound, instead of flowing into the mouth. When the animal is 

 not feeding the discharge is very slight indeed; but during 

 mastication, more especially if the food be dry, the flow is most 

 abundant, as the parotid gland always secretes in direct ratio to 

 the dryness of the food. 



Treatment. — Various means have been resorted to for the 

 purpose of re-estabhsliing the communication between the gland 

 and mouth. If the injury is not recent, the mere closing of the 

 external wound is insufficient, for the reason that the duct 

 between the v/ound and the mouth is no longer pervious, being 

 obhterated by the inflammatory swelling. The first step in the 

 treatment of open parotid duct is to make an opening between 

 the wound and mouth, along the course of the original canal, if 

 possible ; if not, an artificial channel will have to be formed, by 

 introducing a seton, from the ulcer into the mouth, which should 

 remain for four or five days, or until it has made a suppurating 

 channel. It is then to be withdrawn, the external wound 

 brought together by suture and collodion, or styptic-colloid 

 thickly apphed. When the adhesive dressing is quite firm, a 

 little food is to be given, in order to excite the secretion of 

 saliva, for if the gland is quiescent for any length of time, the 

 artificial duct is apt to close by adhesion of its sides. Great 

 care must be taken that the dressings are in no way disturbed 

 for several days after they are applied ; and in order to support 

 the animal without exciting the secretion of any great quantity 

 of saliva, such food as eggs, milk, and thick gruels must be 

 allowed ; for if dry food be given the secretion will be calculated 

 to loosen and disturb the adhesive appUcations, to force the lips 

 of the wound asunder, and to reduce the fistula to its original 

 condition. 



If the treatment by seton is unsuccessful, the gland should be 

 destroyed by injecting into its substance, through the opening 

 already existing in the duct, the following solution : — Nitrate of 

 silver, half a drachm ; nitric acid, one drachm j water, one ounce. 



