■ORE MOUTH. 223 



the first molar tooth ; in consequence of which the periosteum, 

 or tliiu fibrous membrane covering the bone, often becomes 

 involved in the inflammation, the bone itself not always escap- 

 ing injury, a neglect of which occasionally causes the bone 

 of the jaw to become carious or decayed ; sinuses, or pipe-like 

 openings, are sometimes formed, which becoming filled with 

 masticated food, become fetid and often occasion troublesome 

 sores. Grooms on discovering this sore, generally attribute it 

 to what is commonly called squirrel grass, or wild barley. If 

 the sore is confined to the gum alone, it should be washed fre- 

 quently, and dressed with a little tincture of myrrh ; but when 

 the bone is affected, it must be examined carefiilly with a probe, 

 and if found rough, or presenting small openings, the bone must 

 be exposed, and all the diseased parts removed, after which the 

 tincture of myrrh should be used for a dressing. Such opera- 

 tions should be performed by a qualified veterinary surgeon, if 

 one is to be had ; otherwise more injury may be done by the 

 bungling operator than would be occasioned by the disease. 

 If such services cannot be procured, caustic silver, or lunar 

 caustic, should be applied to the diseased bone. If the caustic 

 is not readily obtainable, the red-hot iron will answer the pur- 

 pose as well, or even better. Butter of antimony, placed on a 

 little cotton or tow, and packed in the sore, is an excellent 

 application, as it hastens a separation or exfoliation of the 

 diseased bone, thus enabling the parts soon to heal. 



SORE MOUTH. 

 This is often caused by the bit's cutting or bruising the lips 

 at the angles of the mouth. In carelessly balling horses, also, 

 the under part of the tongue sometimes becomes injured, which 



