218 



THE PALATE. 



separates into two plates, and these are divided by long partitions, wliieli 

 contain and tirmly hold the upper grinders. The lower plate then projects 

 inwards, and forms the principal portion of the roof of the mouth, and 

 the floor of the cavity of the nose. The corresponding bone on the other 

 side meets its fellow in the centre of the palate. The upper jaw-bone 

 contains in its large cavities besides those for the teeth, and these open into 

 and enlarge the cavity of the nose. They are connected with the voice, 

 but not with the smell, for the expansion of the olfactory or smelling 

 nerve has never been traced beyond the bones and membranes of the proper 

 cavity of the nose. The maxillary sinuses are generally filled with matter 

 in bad cases of glanders. 



Below these are the anterior maxillary bones, containing the upper 

 cutting teeth, with the tushes belonging both to the upper and anterior 

 bones. These are the bones to which the upper lip is attached. The 

 superior and anterior maxillary bones are separated in animals with long- 

 faces, like the horse, that, by overlapping each other, strength might be 

 gained. 



The palatine bone forms but a very small portion of the palate. It 

 surrounds the edge of the communication between the cavity of the nose 

 and the back parts of the mouth. 



THE PALATE. 



Adhering to a portion of the three bones just described, and consti- 

 tuting the lining of the roof of the mouth, is the palate, composed of an 

 elastic and dense substance divided into several ridges called Bars. The 

 follo^\dng cut gives a view of them. 



It will also point out the bleeding place, if it should occasionally be 

 deemed advisable to abstract blood from the mouth ; or if the horse should 



be attacked with megrims on a journey, and the 

 driver, having no lancet, should be compelled 

 to make use of his knife, the incision should be 

 made between the central and second nippers 

 on either side, about an inch Avithin the month, 

 and cutting through the second bar. A stream 

 of blood will be thus obtained, which will, 

 usually cease to flow when two or three quarts 

 have escaped, or may generally be arrested 

 by the application of a sponge filled with cold 

 water. 



This, however, is a make-shift sort of bleed- 

 ing that may be allowable on a journey, and 

 possibly in some cases of lampas, but which is 

 decidedly objectionable as the usual mode of 

 abstracting blood. The quantity Avithdrawn 

 cannot be measured, the degree of inflamma- 

 tion cannot be ascertained by the manner in 

 Avhich it coagulates, and there may be diffi- 

 culty to the operator, and annoyance and pain 

 to the horse, in stopping the bleeding. 



This cut likewise depicts the appearance of 

 the roof of the mouth if the bars Avere dis- 

 sected off, and of the numerous A^essels, arterial 

 and A'enous, Avhich ramify over it. 

 At the back of the palate, and attached to the crescent-shaped border of 

 the palatine bone, is a dense membranous curtain. Its superior and back 

 surface is a continuation of the lining membrane of the nose, and its anterior 



