8 SPECIAL CATTLE THERAPY 



titioner most frequently meets, and especially those 

 conditions upon the proper and efficient handling of 

 which depend the veterinarian's popularity and his 

 financial success in a country practice. 



RANULA 



There does not seem to be much conformity of 

 opinion among veterinarians as to just what a ranula 

 is. For the present purpose we shall call a ranula a 

 cyst w^hich makes its appearance under the tongue, 

 extending from the franum linguae forward, towards 

 the incisors. It is quite generally presumed, that this 

 condition is the result of foreign particles entering 

 into the substance of the submaxillary gland through 

 Wharton's duct. 



The symptoms in this condition usually begin with 

 the appearance of fullness or swelling which can be 

 seen best by viewing the cow's head from the side. 

 It begins two or three inches behind the chin in the 

 inter-maxillary space, is pouch-like and extends back- 

 ward towards the larynx. This swelling is movable 

 and can be pushed upwards between the rami of the 

 lower jaw, free from the skin. (The swelling of acti- 

 nomycosis affecting this region is adherent.) 



After a period of time the cow does not eat nor- 

 mally and saliva constantly drips from the mouth. 



Usually it is at about this time that the veterinarian 

 is called. AVhen, after having noted the external 

 swelling, he examines the interior of the mouth he 

 discovers a swelling below the free portion of the 

 tongue. This swelling usually is circumscribed, stand- 

 ing out from the parts to the height of an inch or 

 two and, in the early stages, is quite firm. The fact 



