494 DISEASES AND INJURIES OF THE FACIAL REGION.) 



BHUISES OF THE MOUTH. 



Various parts of the mouth, tongue, and the rami of the 'jaw*' 

 are bruised and injured by the teeth, and by severe bits. Theser 

 have already been alluded to under Diseases of the Bones, and 

 I need say but little here; but I would recommend that all 

 "pulling horses" should be ridden or driven in easy bits — tlie. 

 ring-snaffle bit in preference to all others. I have often beem 

 called to horses whose mouths have been hot, swollen, and, tho:) 

 mucous membrane torn by the bit. the lips bleeding, or the' 

 whole of the parts which are situated beneath the bit black 

 from extravasated blood ; and I have heard the rider exclaim,. 

 " The brute nearly pulled my arms off." 



Many horses are ruined, as well as tortured, by severe bits- 

 and heavy hands ; and it may be often seen that a horse is so^ 

 tender in the mouth that he will scarcely face the bit, until he 

 is urged, perhaps by a whip he cannot endure, and the spura ■ 

 which he abominates. However, forward he must go ; his pride- 

 is insulted, his dignity touched, his coufage raised, and off he; 

 goes, harder than was bargained for, pulling his rider or driver's; 

 arms off — and serve him right ; but at the expense of his own 

 delicate mouth, from which he will suffer for many a day. I have ■ 

 a horse at the present time, a highly^bred one, with courage, 

 spirit, action, docility, and a most beautiful mouth, provided he 

 is driven in a snaffle-bit ; but if a curb-bit is put on, he will 

 scarcely face it for the first few miles ; but when warmed to his 

 ■ work, no man could hold him. He pulls and pidls, perhaps 

 suddenly stops, shakes his head, or leans to one side of the road. 

 Indeed, he was so dreadfully bad in his behaviour when I fia-st 

 bought him, that I thought he was useless ; but when a proper 

 bit was tried, I had no fvirther trouble with him. I am satisfied 

 that many hundreds of horses are the same as my own. 



When a horse is injured by the bit or curb, time should ba 

 allowed for the mouth and jaw to regain their natural conditioit 

 before the animal is bitted, and then the bit should be of tha 

 lightest and easiest description. 



affections of the buccal membrane. 



Lampas, barbs, paps, &c., are terms applied by the ignorant. 

 (to fancied diseases ; the fii-st to the prominent palatine hoi's. 



