154 ANATOMY AND DISEASES OF THE NOSE AND MOUTH. 



or cold, these glands, like the parotid gland, enlarge. This is often to be observed 

 after strangles, and several distinct kernels are to be felt under the jaw. It has 

 already been stated that they may be distinguished from the swellings that accom- 

 pany or indicate glanders, by their being larger, generally not so distinct, more in the 

 centre of the channel, or space between the jaws, and never adhering to the jaw- 

 bones. The farriers call them viVES, and often adopt cruel and absurd methods to 

 disperse them,— as burning them with a lighted candle, or hot iron, or even cutting 

 them out. They will, in the majority of instances, gradually disperse in proportion 

 as the disease which produced them subsides ; or they will yield to slightly stimu- 

 lating embrocations ; or, if they are obstinate in their continuance, they are of no fur- 

 tlier consequence, than as indicating that the horse has laboured under severe cold or 

 strangles. 



During catarrh or inflammation of the mouth, the little projections marking the 

 opening of these ducts on either side of the bridle of the tongue are apt to enlarge, 

 and the mouth under the tongue is a little red, and hot and tender. The farriers call 

 these swellings BARBS or paps; and as soon as they discover them, mistaking the 

 effect of disease for the cause of it, they set to work to cut theni close off. The 

 bleeding that follows this operation somewhat abates the local inflammation, and 

 affords temporary relief; but the wounds will not speedily heal. The saliva continues 

 to flow from the orifice of the duct, and, running into the irregularities of the wound, 

 causes it to spead and deepen. Even when it heals, the mouth of the duct being fre- 

 quently closed, and the saliva continuing to be secreted by the submaxillary gland, 

 it accumulates in the duct until that vessel bursts, and abscesses are formed which 

 eat deeply under the root of the tongue, and long torment the poor animal. When, 

 after a great deal of trouble, they are closed, they are apt to break out again for 

 months and years afterwards. 



All that is necessary with regard to these paps or barbs is to abate the inflamma- 

 tion or cold that caused them to appear, and they will very soon and perfectly sub- 

 side. He who talks of cutting them out is not fit to be trusted with a horse. 



A third source of saliva is from glands under the tongue — the sublingual glands, 

 which open by many little orifices under the tongue, resembling little folds of the 

 skin of the mouth, hanging from the lower surface of this organ, or found on tlie bot- 

 tom of the mouth. These likewise sometimes enlarge during catarrh or inflamma- 

 tion of the mouth, and are called gigs, and bladders, and flaps in the mouth. They 

 have the appearance of small pimples, and the farrier is too apt to cut them away, or 

 burn them off. The better way is to let them alone — for in a few days they will gen- 

 erally disappear. Should any ulceration remain, a little tincture of myrrh, or a solu- 

 tion of alum, will readily heal them. 



Beside tliese three principal sources of saliva, there are small glands to be found 

 on every part of the mouth, cheeks, and lips, which pour out a considerable quantity 

 of fluid, to assist in moistening and preparing the food. 



STRANGLES. 



This is a disease principally incident to young horses — usually appearing between 

 the fourth and fifth year, and oftener in the spring than in any otiier part of the year. 

 It is preceded by cough, and can at first be scarcely distingiished from common cough, 

 except that there is more discharge from the nostril, of a yellowish colour, mixed 

 with pus, and generally without smell. There is likewise a considorable discharge 

 of roj)v fluid from the mouth, and greater swelling than usual imtU^r the tliroat. This 

 swelling increases with uncertain rapidity, accompanied by some fevfr. and disincli- 

 nation to eat, partly arising from the fever, but more from the pain wldch the animal 

 feels in the act of mastication. There is considerable tliirst, but ai'ter a irulp or two 

 the horse ceases to drink, yet is evidently desirous of continuing his drauolit. In 

 the attempt to swallow, and sometimes when not drinkinji, a convulsive comjh comes 

 on, which almost threatens to sutfocate the animal— and thence, probably, the nantw 

 of the disease.* 



* Old Gervase Markhnni cives the following dcscripiiin of this dLspase, f>nd of the origii: 

 of hs name. " It is," says he, "a yreat and hard swelling between a horse's nether ciiaps 



