CHAPTER V. 



DISEASES OF THE TONSILS. 



Examination.— The tonsils can be readily examined in 

 docile animals by opening the mouth (see examination of 

 the mouth) and pulling the tongue well forward . In vicious 

 animals, partial or complete anesthesia is advisable. The 

 tonsils should be examined for acute or chronic inflamma- 

 tions, deposits of mucus on their surface, abscess formation, 

 tumors and foreign bodies. The adjacent lymphatic tissues 

 are frequently involved producing a diffuse enlargement of 

 all the surrounding parts. 



TONSILLITIS AND LYMPHADENITIS. 



Definition.— An acute or chronic inflammation of the tonsils 

 and the adjacent lymphatic tissues. 



Etiology.— Tonsillitis is not of very frequent occurrence. 

 Some breeds (Boston terrier), however, are occasionally 

 affected. 



Exposure to wet and cold and bad hygienic surroundings 

 appear to have a direct influence in producing the disease. 



Chemical. — Carbolic acid, arsenic, etc., may produce it 

 by direct irritation. 



Mechanical. — Foreign bodies (sharp pieces of bone, needles 

 and pins, etc.) often penetrate the glands and lymph tissue 

 resulting in acute inflammation. Inflammation of contigu- 

 ous parts will often produce the condition by spread of the 

 inflammatory process (stomatitis, pharyngitis, etc.). 



Infectious.— The tonsils and lymphatic tissues undoubtedly 

 take up a lot of microorganisms, the most common of which 

 are the streptococci and the staphylococci. These organisms 

 by their rapid development in the tonsils produce an acute 



