INFLAMMATION OF THE TONGUE. 53 



CHAPTER VII. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE TONGUE — BLAIN OR 

 APTHA. 



This disease is neither so frequent nor so fatal with 

 the horse as among cattle ; but it does sometimes oc- 

 cur, and when present in the equine species, is desig- 

 nated Aptha. The horse will refuse his food, hang 

 his head, and a considerable quantity of ropy fluid 

 will be discharged from the mouth. If his lips are 

 closed, he resists the opening of the jaws to such a 

 degree, that the suspicion may arise the animal has 

 locked-jaw. When the mouth is opened, it requires 

 some force to close it; and this also may cause the 

 idea of locked-jaw to occur to the mind of the owner. 

 The observation, however, that all the leading symp- 

 toms are absent, which will hereafter be described as 

 characteristic of Tetanus, will forcibly point out the 

 distinction between the diseases. 



Upon examination, the tongue will be found con- 

 siderably enlarged ; running along its sides will be 

 reddish or dark-purple bladders, which sometimes pro- 

 trude between the teeth. Likewise, upon the lips 

 are found smaller vesicles which contain a clear gela- 

 tinous fluid. The salivary glands are enlarged, and 

 the discharge from the mouth is very great; while 

 the soreness of the swollen parts causes the horse ob- 

 stinately to resist every motion of the jaw. 



The cause of this inflammation of the tongue is 

 unknown. Sometimes it seems to proceed from indi- 

 gestion. In such cases the breath and the faeces are 

 d3 



