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 
