DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 61 
membrane, or, if severe, may produce lesions much more extensive, 
such as lacerations, abscesses, etc. These latter would require sur- 
gical treatment, but for the simpler forms of inflammation of the 
tongue the treatment recommended for stomatitis should be followed. 
SALIVATION (PTYALISM). 
Ptyalism, or salivation, consists in an abnormal and excessive se- 
cretion of saliva. This is often seen as a symptom of irregular teeth; 
inflammation of the mouth or tongue, or of the use of such medicines 
as lobelia, mercury, and many others. Some feeds, such as clover, 
and particularly second crop, produce it; foreign bodies, such as 
nails, wheat chaff, and corncobs becoming lodged in the mouth, also 
are causes. If the cause is removed no further attention is necessary, 
as a rule. Astringent washes may be applied to the mouth as a 
gargle or by means of a sponge. 
PHARYNGITIS. 
Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane lining 
of the pharynx or throat. It rarely exists unless accompanied with 
stomatitis or laryngitis, especially the latter. In those rare instances 
in which the inflammation is mostly confined to the pharynx are 
noticed febrile symptoms—difficulty of swallowing either liquids or 
solids; there is but little cough except when trying to swallow; there 
is no soreness on pressure over larynx (head of the windpipe). In- 
creased flow of saliva, difficulty of swallowing liquids in particular, 
and cough only when attempting to swallow, are the symptoms best 
marked in pharyngitis. In some cases the throat becomes gangrenous 
and the disease ends in death. For treatment a wet sheet should be 
wrapped around the throat and covered with rubber sheeting and a 
warm blanket. This should be changed three times daily; or the 
region of the throat may be rubhed with mercurial ointment twice 
daily until the skin becomes irritated, but no longer; chlorate of 
potash may be given in 2-dram doses four times daily, mixed with 
flaxseed meal or licorice-root powder and honey, as an electuary. 
Soft feeds should be given, and fresh water should be constantly 
before the horse. 
PARALYSIS OF THE PHARYNX. 
Paralysis of the pharynx, or, as it is commonly called, “ paralysis 
of the throat,” is a rare but very serious disease. The symptoms are 
as follows: The horse will constantly try to eat or drink, but will be 
unable to do so; if water is offered him from a pail he will ap- 
parently drink with avidity, but the quantity of water in the pail 
will remain about the same; he will continue by the hour to try to 
drink; if he can get any fluid into the back part of the mouth it will 
come out at once through the nose. Feeds also return through the 
