8o Surgical Diseases and Surgery of the Dog 



tinue and the cyst be reformed or a fistula established. While the 

 latter condition is of little importance when the orifice of discharge 

 is situated within the buccal cavity, it is a different matter when 

 the tract opens externally after an external operation. 



Small and medium-sized cysts are not difficult to extirpate and 

 the sooner they are attended to the better. They should be seized 

 with forceps, incised throughout their entire length, and the lining 

 membrane dissected out or destroyed with the thermo-cautery, the 

 jaws being immobilized with the mouth speculum. Quite large cysts 

 may in like manner be totally extirpated, but the operation is some- 

 times rendered very difficult owing to extensive burrowing which 

 may extend behind the esophagus and larynx. In these cases 

 Froehner recommends the establishment of a suppurative inflamma- 

 tion within the sac to accomplish the destruction of the secreting 

 membrane. This may be done by injections of strong solutions of 

 iodine, as follows : Insert an aspirating needle and withdraw the 

 mucoid contents. The needle need not be aseptic, as the en- 

 trance of pyogenic microorganisms is desired, and it should be of 

 large caliber to permit of passage of the tenacious contents. In 

 some cases the latter can only be extracted by lancing the sac. Then 

 inject an equal quantity of an alcoholic solution of iodine (2:100 — 

 5 :ioo) until the cyst resumes its original size. Local pain and fever 

 will soon be evident. In two or three days' time again employ the 

 aspirator to ascertain the presence or absence of pus. Should sup- 

 puration have failed to develop, repeat the injection again and 

 again, if necessary at intervals of three or four days. As soon as the 

 desired effect is produced freely lance the abscess to evacuate the 

 pus, and introduce a tampon of antiseptic absorbent cotton to stim- 

 ulate healthy granulations. Recovery is generally complete in from 

 three to six weeks. 



Osteoma. Exostoses or osseous tumors occasionally arise on 

 the jaw bone as a result of diffuse inflammation of the periosteum 

 caused by external violence. 



Symptoms and Diagnosis. These growths are characterized by 

 excessive hardness and their attachment to the bone by a broad 

 base. They are differentiated from malignant tumors by their 

 local character. 



Treatment. Removal is effected by exposing the growth by 

 incision through the skin and then using a chisel. 



