XVI. 

 INJURIES IN THE REGION OF THE MOUTH. 



The lip is sometimes lacerated. The treatment is the same as 

 for like injury in any other part, save that in these parts there 

 shonkl be as little tissue removed as possible. An endeavor must 

 be made to bring about a union of the divided parts. Sutures 

 should be used instead of cutting and removing the divided 

 parts, as is usually done. 



A tumor sometimes forms on the lip; at first it is firm and 

 solid to the touch, of variable size, occurring either spontane- 

 ously or as the result of a sting; in a day or two it bursts and sup- 

 purates. It requires little treatment except fomentations. 



BRUISES OF THE MOUTH. 



Various parts of the mouth and tongue, and the rami of the 

 lower jaw, are sometimes bruised and injured by the teeth or by 

 severe bites. These have been no^:ed in diseases of bone. I 

 would here simply state that when a horse is injured by a bit or 

 curb, time should be allowed for the mouth and jaw to regain 

 their natural condition before the animal is bitted, and then the 

 bit should be of the lightest and easiest description. 



EPITHELIOMA. 



This is a growth of a fibrous character, and usually of malig- 

 nant nature. The disease is rarely met with in the lower ani- 

 mals. Extirpation of the growth should be attempted by the 

 use of caustics, or perhaps what is better, the knife. Carbolic 

 acid is a most efficient remedy — one part of acid to thirty of 

 water. In cases where the disease has been allowed to run its 

 course unchecked for a considerable length of time, when the 

 alveolar processes have become involved, and the teeth loosened, 

 the animal should be destroyed, as treatment will end in failure. 



(251) 



