CHAPTER IX. 



OPERATIONS ON THE MOUTH, PHARYNX, 

 AND TONGUE. 



Examination. — For a superficial examination, a good view 

 can readily be obtained in canine patients by placing the 

 finger and thumb of the right hand over the upper jaw in 

 such a way as to press the loose, pendulous, skin of the 

 upper lip inwards between the molar teeth ; the left hand 

 serves the lower jaw in a similar manner, and the two are 

 then drawn gently apart so as to expose the interior. 



The under surface of the lips can be examined in most 

 cases without difficulty, but in an animal of uncertain temper 

 it is always a wise precaution to first put on an ordinary tape 

 muzzle. Where a prolonged examination is necessary it 

 facilitates matters very much if the patient is placed on an 

 operating table in the abdominal position and the services of 

 some form of mouth speculum are called into requisition. 

 The accompanying figures show different patterns, their method 

 of use hardly needing any explanation. 



Gentle traction applied to two pieces of tape, one looped or 

 tied round the upper jaw, and one round the lower, is also 

 very effectual. 



For the cat, if neither an operating table nor a set of hobbles 

 is at hand, the best plan is to wrap the animal's body in a 

 roller towel or strong cloth in such a way as to just leave the 

 head exposed. The mouth may then be opened in one of the 

 ways mentioned above, but if attempting to open it with the 

 fingers alone, the best plan is to secure the upper jaw firmly 



