INJURIES TO, AND DERANGEMENTS AND 

 DISEASES OF, THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 



226. The Lips of animals are liable to many injuries, as they may get 

 torn with nails, hooks, thorns, &c. ; and are also subject to warts, or 

 angle-berries. These growths, if large, may be cut off with a knife, 

 or pair of scissors ; if very small and numerous, an application of 

 acetic acid, twice a week, may be found beneficial. The angles of the 

 mouth are occasionally lacerated in the horse by the rough usage 

 of the bit— for this, rest and the application of some antiseptic dressing 

 is all that is required. 



227. The roof of the mouth is often also the seat of injury. In 

 cows and dogs particularly, pieces of turnip, wood, nails, leather, bones, 

 tin, &c., are apt to become fixed here. The animal foams at the 

 mouth, cannot feed, and loses flesh. When such symptoms are shown, 

 a close examination should be made, and if there is a foreign body, 

 it should be removed at once. When a horse is casting its front teeth, 

 or nippers, the gums and bars, behind the upper teeth, usually become 

 swollen. It does not feed well, and is said to have got Lampas, or more 

 commonly " Lampers." Long ago, a lamper iron used to be ke[)t by 

 blacksmiths. This was made red-hot, and the inflamed bars were 

 burned ; but it was a most unnecessary and cruel operation. The 

 congested gums are only the natural effects of shedding the milk teeth. 

 If, however, the gums are very much swollen, a few slight cuts with a 

 sharp knife across the bars — but not too deep — will give relief; and 

 half an ounce of saltpetre, in a mash, should be given every night for 

 a week. {See Lecture VII. — The Teeth). 



228. The Soft Palate of the horse (or fleshy curtam, which hangs 

 behind the hard palate) is occasionally damaged, from various causes. 

 For instance, it may get bruised when a ball is given on the sharp end of 



