58 The Management and Diseases of the Dog. 



tense swelling, with difficulty in swallowing. The head is 

 carried stiffly, and the nose poked out. Treatment con- 

 sists in the evacuation of the matter with the lance or 

 trochar. 



Pharyngeal stricture usually proceeds from protracted 

 inflammatory action ; and is manifested by repeated 

 attempts at deglution, with considerable difficulty in per- 

 forming the act when eating the food, particularly solid 

 matter. Treatment, as in other strictures, is by dilatation. 

 The food should be fluid and stimulating. 



SALIVATION. 



Salivation, when unassociated with any local affections 

 of the mouth or neighbouring structures, is usually an in- 

 dication of mercurialism. Unfortunately for the canine 

 race, mercury, in some one of its compounds, whether for 

 internal or external use, forms one of the pet remedies of 

 " dog doctors." The red and green iodides are especial 

 favourites for external use, and for diseases often requiring 

 very opposite treatment these preparations are prescribed. 

 To wit, skin diseases — all of which in the vocabulary of the 

 quack are mange. While for alterative, aperient, or emetic 

 purposes, calomel is used most indiscreetly. 



Symptoms. — In mercurialism, the salivary secretion is 

 unusually abundant, the teeth are loose and discoloured, 

 the gums spongy, swollen, and tender, and of a deep red, 

 often approaching a purple hue. The breath is singularly 

 foetid ; the tongue loaded with brown fur, and red down the 

 sides. There is little appetite, but excessive thirst. 



Sloughing and ulceration of the mucous membrane of 

 the mouth frequently follow, and if the mercurial doses 

 have been excessive, the stomach and intestines are in a 

 like manner affected, resulting in blood-stained vomits and 

 sanguinary purging. 



If suitable measures are not taken to check these effects, 

 considerable irritative fever is established. Extreme 



