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incisors project in front of and beyond the lower ones. Tlie teeth of 

 both jaws become nnusually long, as they are not worn down by fric- 

 tion. Such horses exi^erience much difficulty in grazing. Little can 

 be done exceiDt to occasionally examine the teeth, and if those of the 

 lower jaw become so long that they bruise the "bars" of the upper 

 jaw, they must be shortened by the rasj) or saw. Horses with this 

 deformity should never bo left entirel}' at pasture. 



DISEASES OF THE MOUTH. 



Ldinpas is the name given to a swelling of the mucous membrane 

 covering the hard palate and projecting in a more or less XDrominent 

 ridge immediately behind the upper incisors. There is no doubt but 

 that in some rare instances, and i^articularly while teething, there is a 

 congestion and swelling of this part of the roof of the mouth which 

 may interfere with feeding. In one instance in my practice I found the 

 swelling so extensive that the mucous membrane was caught between 

 the front teeth when the horse attempted to eat. Should this exist the 

 swollen parts are to scarified, being careful not to cut deeply into the 

 structures. An astringent wash of alum water may also be beneficial. 

 Burning of the lampas is cruel and unnecessary, and should never be 

 permitted, as it often causes serious results to follow. 



It is quite a common ojiinion among owners of horses and stablemen 

 that lampas is a disease that very frequentlj' exists. In fact whenever 

 a horse fails to eat, and if he does not exhibit very marked symptoms 

 of a severe illness, they say at once "he has the lampas." It is almost 

 impossible to convince them to the contrary, yet in a practice extend- 

 ing over fifteen j^ears I have never seen but two or three cases of what 

 is called lampas that gave rise to the least trouble or that called for 

 any treatment whatever. It may be put down, then, as more a disease 

 of the stableman's imagination than of the horse's mouth. 



Sfomatitis. — This is an inflammation of the mucous membrane lining 

 the mouth and is produced by irritating medicines, foods, or other sub- 

 stances. In cities it frequently follows from eating out of ash-barrels. 

 The symptoms are swelling of the mouth, which is also hot and pain- 

 ful to the touch; there is a coj)ious discharge of saliva; the mucous 

 membrane is reddened, and in some cases there are observed vesicles 

 or ulcers in the mouth. Tlie treatment is simple, soft feed alone often 

 being all that is necessary. In some instances it may be advisable to 

 use a wash of chlorate of potash, borax, or alum, about one-half ounce 

 to a pint of water. Ilaj', sti-aw, or oats should not be fed unless 

 steamed or boiled. 



Glossitis, or inflammation of the tongue, is very similar to the above, 

 and mostly exists Avith it and is due to the same causes. Injuries to 

 the tongue may produce this simple inflammation of its covering mem- 

 brane, or, if severe, may produce lesions much more extensive, such 

 as lacerations, abscesses, etc. These latter would require surgical 



