25 



DISEASES OF THE MOUTH. 



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

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

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

 that in some rare instances, and particularly 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 be 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 opinion among owners of horses and stablemen 

 that lampas is a disease that very frequently 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 years 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. 



Stomatitis. — 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 copious discharge of saliva ; the mucous 

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

 or ulcers in the mouth. The 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. Hay, straw, 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 with 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 

 treatment, but for the simpler forms of inflammation of the tongue the 

 treatment recommended for stomatitis should be followed. 



Ptyalism or salivation consists in an abnormal and excessive secre- 

 tion of saliva. This is often seen as a symptom of irregular teeth, in- 

 flammation of the mouth or tongue, or of the use of such medicines as 

 lobelia, mercury, and many others. Some foods produce this, as clover, 

 and particularly second cropj foreign bodies, as nails, wheat chaft', and 



