INFLAMMATION OF THE SUBMAXILLARY GLAND. 137 



induration of the gland. Any obstruction of Stenon's duct, whatever the 

 originating cause (foreign bodies like wheat awns, oat grains, calculi, etc.) 

 stops the flow of saliva throughout the excretory apparatus, and produces 

 over the entire parotid region a doughy swelling, which might seem to 

 indicate the existence of indolent parotiditis. The collections of liquid 

 thus produced have improperly been termed " salivary abscesses." If 

 ascending infection fails to occur, or if infection is unimportant and does 

 not lead to suppuration, a relatively painless chronic parotiditis develops, 

 and in this case movements of the head and mastication and deglutition 

 alone are impeded. 



The salivary ducts, however, may become so distended that the main 

 superficial collecting duct undergoes softening, and the skin covering it 

 becomes ulcerated, just as would occur had a true abscess formed. 

 Under such circumstances the skin soon yields and a salivary fistula is 

 established. 



The symptoms consist in swelling or induration of the gland, inter- 

 ference with movement of the head and with mastication ; the whole 

 developing slowly without pain or fever. 



The distinction of this condition from actinomycosis of the parotid 

 may sometimes j^resent some difficulty until a fistula develops. 



The prognosis is grave, because there is no hope of normal condi- 

 tions being restored. 



Treatment. Treatment often proves unsuccessful. Should the 

 condition have resulted from an obstruction, it is first necessary to 

 attempt the removal of such obstruction, whether it be a. foreign body 

 or calculus, and so to re-establish the normal channel for the saliva. 

 Local stimulation may be tried, though in cases of fistula without much 

 hope of success. Smart blistering of the parts surrounding the opening 

 and firing in points have been recommended ; but rather than persist in 

 prolonged treatment of doubtful value, it is often better to prepare the 

 animals for slaughter. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE SUBMAXILLARY SALIVARY GLAND. 



Inflammation of the submaxillary gland is rare in the ox. As in the 

 horse, it is usually caused by the penetration of foreign bodies, such as 

 glumes or aw^ns of grain, fragments of strawy thorns, etc., into Wharton's 

 duct. 



The difficulty in grasping food and the restricted movement of the 

 tongue are the first symptoms to attract attention. On examination, 

 the region of the " barbs," usually on one side, appears injected, swollen, 

 inflamed, and sensitive. 



The submaxillary space is effaced by the swelling of Wharton's duct; 



