40 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE APPARATUS 



In treating these cysts the only practical method to pursue is to 

 remove them entirely, for if they are simply cut into they return in a 

 short time; but to cut out entirely a cyst located in this region is a rather 

 dangerous operation, as the base of the tongue and the region of the 

 larynx contain a large number of important blood vessels and nerves 

 and even if the entire cyst is removed, we may injure the submaxillary 

 gland, causing a salivary fistula that is impossible to heal. Consequently 

 it is only advisable to attempt to remove the smaller cysts; the larger ones 

 can be treated in the following manner: Make an incision into the cyst, 

 then inject into it some mild corrosive such as diluted tincture of iodine, 

 a weak solution of corrosive sublimate, or Lugol's solution of iodine. These 

 sohitions act as irritants to the walls of the cysts, break them down, and 

 destroy the secreting membrane and they soon heal up; the cicatricial con- 

 traction draws the tissues together and only a trace is left. Another method 

 is to use an aspirator or ordinary syringe, draw off the contents of the cyst, 

 and inject into the cyst a 3 to 5 percent, dilution of Lugol's solution, in- 

 jecting an amount equal to the original contents of the cyst. The object 

 of this injection is to stimulate the formation of pus in the sac. If it does 

 not produce the desired effect, inject it again. After the pus has formed, 

 make a long incision through the cysts and treat it as a simple surgical 

 wound. Frick advises after opening the cyst to cauterize it with the thermo- 

 cautery and sew up the opening. This causes that portion to slough off, 

 and the wound to heal by granulation. The method suggested by Siedam- 

 grotsky has been very satisfactory to the author. It consists of making 

 a good, big opening in a dependent part and injecting the parts freely 

 with mild caustic solutions, such as caustic potash or tincture of iodine. 



Inflammation of the Mucous Membrane of the Throat. 



{Pharyngitis; Angina Catarrhalis; Sore Throat.) 



This disease in the dog is not by any means as important as it is in 

 man, and as yet there have not been recognized any cases in the dog that 

 could be compared with diphtheria, angina tonsillaris, and retropharyn- 

 geal abscess of man; at least such is the experience of the writers. The 

 general affections observed have been common catarrhal inflammations 

 which involve the whole or part of the throat. 



Etiology. — The same causes that would produce stomatitis would 

 bring on inflammation of the throat. The most common cause of angina 

 catarrh is a continuation of the inflammatory processes from the neigh- 

 boring organs; for instance, in catarrh of the nose, or in laryngitis, and it 

 may appear as a complication of distemper and stomatitis. The chief 

 cause is cold, particularly in hunting dogs, such as setters or pointei-s 

 getting wet, when very warm, plunging into very cold water, or in house 

 pets that run from very warm rooms into the cold and lie on cold bricks 



