32 THE NATURE AND TREATMENT OP 



Causes of Pharyngitis. — In some cases it may arise in con- 

 sequence of some morbid habit of body, in others it is evidently 

 excited by cold or chilliness of the external surface ; rough 

 food, such as cornstalks, musty hay, and other irritating bodies 

 are apt to induce it. 



Treatment. — Let the animal's throat be rubbed twice daily 

 with a portion of the following : — 



Oil of Cedar, 1 ounce. 



Cod LiTCT Oil, 6 ounces. 



Spirits of Ammonia, 2 drachms. Mix. 



Keep a sloppy bran mash before the patient, or some flax- 

 seed tea, into which stir a small quantity of powdered nitre 

 and liquorice. This will relieve the cough, if any be present, 

 and tend to lessen irritation of the lining membrane of the 

 pharynx. When the patient begins to expectorate, or has the 

 least discharge from the nose, give the following : — 



Balsam of Tolu, 2 ounces. 



Sweet Spirits of Nitre, 3 ounces. 



Mucilage of Gum Arabic, 8 ounces. Mix 



Dose. — One wineglassful, twice daily. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE PHARYNX. 



The pharynx is the commencement of the tube known as 

 the cesophagus or ^^ gullet ',^^ it is a funnel-shaped cavity, lodged 

 between the mouth, gullet, and windpipe. The pharynx is 

 composed of muscular and membraneous tissues; the most 

 important muscles which enter into the composition of the 

 pharynx are the constrictors^ they give the membrane, forming 

 the funnel-shaped sac, a complete covering, and their function 

 is to force the food, beyond the action of the tongue, into the 

 (esophagus. The pharynx is divided from the mouth by the 

 soft palate and the epiglottis ; therefore, except in the act of 

 swallowing, or coughing, there is no direct communication. 

 The interior of the pharynx is lined by a membrane having 

 within its structure, a vast number of minute glands, with ex- 

 cretory ducts, from which a viscid or lubricating fluid issues ; 

 this lubricates the pellets of food, so that by this process, their 

 passage into the cesophagus is insured without the casualty of 

 friction. 



