12 



DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE APPARATUS 



teeth, tumors or foreign bodies in the cavity of the mouth, raniila, in 

 di.seases of the masseter muscle, buccal membrane, maxillo-temporal 

 articulation, the animal is unable to eat large pieces of food, taking only 

 small finely cut-up food or liquids. 



Difficulty in swallowing may be present in all the conditions already 

 mentioned and in some cases the animal will drop the food out of the 

 mouth after it has taken it up. Inability to swallow may be seen in 



Fig. 2. — Larj'ngoscope. 



inflammation of the pharynx and larynx, in the paralytic stage of rabies, 

 as the result of certain poisons, such as meat poisons, in periods of brain 

 disease, injury to the mouth and throat, tumors or foreign bodies in the 

 throat or larynx, contraction or ossification of the larynx, in tetanus, 

 large swelling in the region of the neck and goitre. 



^m 



Fig. 3. — Pocket electric light. 



Condition of the Mouth and Throat. 



The examination of these parts requires a good light such as day- 

 light, or a clear lamp when the posterior part of the throat has to be 

 examined. This can be accomplished by means of a perforated laryn- 

 geal mirror or any reflecting mirror (Fig. 2), or a portable electric 

 lamp (Fig. 3). The best method of opening the mouth with the hands is 

 to grasp the upper jaw with one hand, pressing the cheeks between the 

 teeth, which forces the mouth partially open and prevents the animal 

 closing the mouth, and with the other hand pull down the lower jaw. 

 Another method to obtain a good view of the interior of the mouth is to 

 put two strings or tapes around the lower and upper jaws (Fig. 4) ; lay the 



