go 



at the same time, running from the mouth. When this is noticed, 

 examine and remove the offending object. A common cause of injury 

 to the tongues and mouths of horses and cattle is due to the 

 administration of drugs — such as turpentine and ammonia — in 

 unsuitable vehicles. Turpentine should be given in linseed oil, 

 or, if oil is not handy, milk makes a good substitute, or it may 

 be beaten up with eggs and water. Never give turpentine in cold water ; 

 but ammonia, on the other hand, should be diluted with plenty of 

 cold water, when administered. If strong ammonia has been 

 administered by mistake, wash the mouth out with vinegar and water. 

 Spirits, such as whisky, should always be diluted with the same quantity 

 of cold water, for I have known of extensive injury having been done 

 to the mouth, by giving raw spirits. The tongues of horses and 

 cattle are often injured by thorns, pins, needles, bones, or broken 

 teeth ; and are also affected by morbid growths, such as actinomycosis. 



235. Actinomycosis, or wooden tongue, is developed from the '■'■ray 

 fungus,'' a small vegetable organism. It usually attacks the thick part of 

 the tongue, also the bones of the upper and lower jaw, but the tongue 

 is the principal organ affected. In the cow, which is the animal most 

 subject to the malady, as the case progresses, the patient will be 

 found rolling that organ about, holding its nose slightly up when 

 attempting to swallow, and seeming to have great difficult}^ in getting 

 the food passed between the molar teeth, or rolled about for mastication. 

 Saliva also flows freely from the mouth, the patient loses flesh rapidly, 

 but, as a rule, is not hidebound ; and, on examining the mouth, the 

 tongue is found to be very much enlarged, and hard in places, causing 

 considerable loss of power. 



236. In the Treatment of actinomycosis, iodide of potassium, given 

 in two-drachm doses, night and ujorning, in a pint of cold water ; 

 scarifying the tongue with a sharp knife ; and also applying tincture of 

 iodine to the indurated parts, occasionally has a good effect, but, from 

 my experience, the sooner the beast is slaughtered the better. One 

 peculiar case I had was a cow that was losing flesh very fast. Her 

 lower jaw was constantly on the move, and the tongue was hanging 



