DISEASES OF THE MOUTH. 647 



6. Blam. 



The word blain is generally used to designate a carbuncle or swelling of an unhealthy 

 character under the tongue. 



Causes. Bad feeding, cold, or an impoverished and impure state of the blood. 



Symptoms. The disease comes on slowly ; perhaps the first symptom discernible by the 

 dog's owner will be an increased flow of saliva, often of a very fetid order. When the mouth 

 is examined, one or more carbunclous swellings will be found underneath the side of the tongue. 

 When the disease is further advanced these swellings ulcerate, and unhealthy matter is discharged. 

 If it be not cured the glands become affected, and a low form of fever is the result, to which 

 the animal may finally succumb. 



Treatment. This is simple enough in all conscience, but it must at the same time be 

 energetic. As soon as the carbuncles are seen, they should be pretty deeply lanced. The 

 mouth is then to be frequently sponged out with the wash recommended for foul mouth, 

 or that for canker oris, or diluted Condy's fluid may be used. Attention must be paid to the 

 state of the bowels and system generally. Take the dog in hand, give an aperient, and follow 

 up with bitter tonics. Food of an easily-digested kind must be plentifully allowed, and if the 

 dog gets very low, beef-tea and good port wine must be given freely. 



7. Wounds of the Tongue. 



Wounds of or injuries to the tongue are best left to Nature, so long as they show a 

 disposition to heal kindly ; if not, they may be touched with a solution of nitrate of silver, five 

 grains to the ounce, or the myrrh and alum wash may be used. 



8. Ulcerations of tlie Tongue or Gums. 



These may arise from many causes. Attention is to be paid to the general health ; a change 

 of diet is usually necessary, while, at the same time, the teeth should be examined, stumps 

 removed, or any sharp spiculre that might tend to wound the cheek or tongue removed. Touch 

 the ulcers with caustic, either silver or blue-stone, and afterwards use the myrrh and alum 

 wash. In superficial ulcers of the mucous membrane of cheeks, &c., a borax lotion will suffice. 



9. Nasal Glett. 



Nasal gleet, or ozcena, is usually the result of cold, or the sequel to a common catarrh. 

 There is a discharge of mucous or muco-purulent matter from the nostrils, sometimes tinged with 

 blood, and generally of a fetid odour. 



The septum of the nose in long-continued cases is apt to be attacked, and even eaten through. 



Treatment. Careful regulation of diet, which is to be nourishing. Frequent bathing of the 

 nostrils in hot water, succeeded immediately by complete syringing out of the nostrils with warm 

 water, to which a little Condy's fluid h.is been added, and occasional mild injections of sulphate 

 of zinc, will effect a cure, all the more speedily if Fowler's solution of arsenic and cod-liver oil are 

 given internally. 



