222 ULCERS IN THE MOUTH. 



mouth should be washed with a solution of the tincture of 

 myrrh, two ounces to a pint of water, or a solution of alum 

 in water. This should be repeated twice a day for three or 

 four days, during which time give bran mashes or flax-seed 

 gruel, and, if procurable, a small quantity of new grass. No 

 hay, corn, or oats, should be given for a week ; at the expira- 

 tion of which period the teeth will be in a condition to masti- 

 cate such food. 



IITFLAMED GUMS. 



Occasionally the gums of very young horses, when cutting 

 their teeth, become exceedingly tender, sore, and swollen. 

 As this is principally confined to the yearling, it is generally 

 overlooked by the owner. The treatment in such cases is to 

 cut the gum through to the tooth immediately under it with 

 a lancet or common pocket-knife. The gum being thus 

 broken, the tooth comes through with little pain. 



BAGS OR -WASHES. 



These are soft, puffy swellings of the membrane of the 

 mouth, lining the lips, just within the corners of the mouth. 

 This disease is generally caused by the bearing rein being too 

 tight. They are cured by cutting off a portion of the swelling 

 with a pair of scissors or a knife ; after which the parts should 

 be dressed with a little salt, or powdered alum. This gener- 

 ally proves successful. 



ULCERS IN" THE MOUTH. 

 Horses, during the process of breaking, are frequently hurt 

 by the pressure of the bit upon the under jaw a little in front of 



