646 THE BOOK OF THE DOG. 



If neglected you will have a nasty fungus-looking growth, easily made to bleed, and frequently 

 bleeding of its own accord. 



The only disease it is likely to be mistaken for is true cancer, but there will be an absence 

 of the cachexia, and also the microscopic character of the discharge will be different. 



Treatment. Our attention must first be directed to the teeth, and any carious tooth of 

 portion of a carious tooth must be extracted. This operation will probably have to be performed 

 after the dog has been placed under the influence of an anesthetic, and therefore he must be 

 taken to a skilled vet, unless, indeed, he can be securely held, and his mouth kept open by aid 

 of an assistant and any means at your command. The disease must then be treated on general 

 principles. If there is proud flesh, blue-stone must be used, or the solid nitrate of silver. If only 

 ulceration and foetid discharge, use a wash of Condy's fluid (one drachm to three in a pint of water), 

 or a weak solution of chloride of zinc (twelve grains to six ounces of water), and the alum and 

 myrrh wash (ten grains of alum and a drachm of tincture of myrrh to one ounce of water) ought 

 to be used several times a day, by means of a rag or bit of sponge tied to the end of a 

 stick. 



Attention must be paid to the general health, and especially to the state of the stomach. 

 The feeding will depend upon condition of body ; if thin and poor, the diet must be generous, and 

 cod-liver oil given ; if gross, the simplest of food only, but in all cases this must be soft, and no 

 bones are to be allowed on any account. Give an occasional dose of oil, and administer one 

 of the bitter tonics recommended in the treatment of dyspepsia. 



4. Inflammation of the Tongue. 



Glossitis, as we usually term it, is far from common, but is sometimes seen as the result of 

 injury, such as from the cruel and vulgar practice of worming the tongue, or from bites ; it may 

 also arise from the exhibition of mercury by unskilled hands. 



The symptoms are dulness and languor of the dog, injection of the conjunctivas, shivering, 

 and fever, increased flow of saliva, with thickening and swelling of the tongue, with pain to the 

 touch ; there is also more or less stiffness of the jaw. 



Treatment. An aperient must first be given, if the state of swelling will permit, then cooling 

 lotions must be applied, such as vinegar and water or ice. If, however, the swelling is great, 

 two incisions must be made on the under surface of the tongue, one at each side of the raphe, 

 and deep enough to allow of the escape of pus or blood and serum, and the wounds afterwards 

 treated secundum artem ; in fact, as a rule, very little treatment will be required. 



5. Ptyalism. 



Ptyalism, or excessive secretion of the salivary glands, may be the result of the abuse of 

 mercury, or it may arise from decayed teeth and foul mouth, or simply from some local 

 irritation of the glands themselves. 



Treatment. If from the abuse of mercury, remove the cause and give a gentle aperient, 

 and food of a light nutritious kind. The mouth, too, had better be plentifully rinsed out with 

 cold water. If arising from decayed teeth, the treatment recommended for foul mouth will be 

 indicated. If there be no apparent cause for the salivation, in all probability the animal is not 

 thriving, and probably is losing flesh. Give a bitter tonic or dinner pill, see that the dog is well 

 housed and properly fed, and rub in every morning and evening with some degree of friction 

 under the jaws a stimulating liniment, such as strong hartshorn and oil, 



