CHAPTER III 



The Head and Neck — Continued 



The Lips, Mouth, Tongue and Jaws 



EXAMINATION. 



In docile animals examination of the buccal cavity is easily ac- 

 complished. The best way to expose all parts of the mouth is to 

 assume position facing the animal, place the fingers of the left hand 

 over the upper jaw, and extending the thumb, direct its extremity 

 on to the palate through the interdental space immediately posterior 

 to the canine tooth. This causes the animal to open its jaws, and 

 the right hand is then employed to raise or depress the lips or 

 tongue, as desired. 



By another method the upper lips are pressed in between the 

 molars and the lower jaw gently forced apart by pressure over the 

 lower incisors. 



In vicious animals the procedure may be rendered safe by 

 previous hypodermic narcotization with morphine. 



IMMOBILIZATION OF THE JAWS WITH THE SPECULXTM. 



For protracted examination and some operations it is necessary 

 to secure immobilization of the jaws by application of some form of 

 speculum. 



The simplest of the various devices in use is the well-known im- 

 provised gag of Bourrel. 

 /^"^ "^*>«^ ' A stick of wood somewhat 



longer than the width of 

 the jaws is selected and to 

 either end a tape or cord is 

 fastened. The stick is 

 placed transversely be- 

 tween the molars, close to 

 the commissures, and held 

 in position by tying the 



No. 20. ImproTlsed Bourcel Gag. 



72 



