182 INJURIES. 



Jaws. — The repeated contusions made by the port of a 

 sharp curb-bit, will be followed by ulceration of the bone, 

 portions of which will come away through the wound ; or 

 it may cause fracture of the jaw. The common situation 

 for the injury is in the hollow under the tongue ; though 

 the palate may be the seat of it. The jaw, also, is subject 

 to an injury from violence with the curb-rein; this occurs 

 outside, in the situation where the gum is squeezed by the 

 curb. In this case, the bone becomes tumid, and so 

 tender that the animal will hardly suffer the jaw to be 

 touched. Abscess forms within the bone ; the matter from 

 which becomes discharged either into the mouth, under- 

 neath the tongue, by the side of the teeth, or through a 

 posterior opening, into which we may readily introduce 

 the silver probe and feel the rugged surfaces of bared jaw ; 

 or the caries may be so extensive as to admit the finger. 

 Sometimes we discover a broken piece of bone. In most 

 cases there is carious bone to come away ; and therefore we 

 must not endeavour to close the external wound. Mild 

 treatment is best. Give the horse purgative medicine, and 

 keep it on soft food. If it must be used, let it be worked 

 in a snaffle. 



The best dressings for these sores are the mineral acids 

 diluted : an excellent one is a mixture of half a scruple of 

 hydrochloric acid to an ounce of water. Should there 

 appear any disposition in the soft parts to close over the 

 bone enlarge the opening with a knife. As soon as the 

 wound begins to granulate from the bottom, the cure may 

 be left to nature. 



The Lips and Cheeks sometimes suffer laceration. The 

 corners or angles of the lips are occasionally severely cut by 

 sharp and twisted snaffles. The insides of the cheeks may 

 get abraded, and ulcerated from the edges of the grinding 

 teeth becoming sharp and prominent, in consequence of 

 slanting wear. Most extraordinary cases of this kind 

 frequently present themselves ; affording us the best proof 

 we can adduce of the continued upward movement and wear 

 of those bodies. These sores, which are mostly superficial. 



