ANIMAL DENTISTRY. 215 



circumscribed area at the very edge of the jaw, or extend 

 across the entire ramus to the inferior border. The process 

 subsides by the separation of the bone from the soft sur- 

 rounding structures, and by the exfoliation of a sequestrum 

 the size of which will vary with the extent and severity of the 

 pre-existing inflammation. Complete division of the ramus 

 may result in the extremely aggravated forms. 



Symptoms — Tenderness manifested in adjusting the bit, 

 ptyalism, side reining and disinclination to "take" the bit are 

 prominent symptoms. Palpation and inspection of the inter- 

 dental space will reveal a wound in the mucous membrane. 

 The abrasion is usually large enough to expose the edge of 

 the jaw, which is easily felt with the finger. In other cases 

 the mucous membrane may remain intact with the exception 

 of a small almost imperceptible opening which, if enlarged 

 with a bistoury, will reveal the bare jaw beneath. In the 

 early stage, before the abscess points, there may be con- 

 siderable swelling externally across the ramus, giving the 

 appearance of an external trauma. In the advanced state of 

 the process, the bare bone is found to be loose and easily 

 removed. With this event the process terminates and the 

 wound heals rapidly, but leaves a tenderness of the "seat of 

 the bit" for several months. 



Treatment — Bit gnathitis must be treated on the ex- 

 pectant plan until the exfoliating process is complete, that is 

 until the sequestrum is well loosened. To prevent the bur- 

 rowing of pus downward, as well as to hurry the exfoliation, 

 the edge of the jaw may be exposed by a free longitudinal 

 incision. The incision is then kept free from food by daily 

 irrigations until the sequestrum is sufficiently loosened to 

 be easily lifted with a small lever or curette. Undue haste 

 in the removal of the sequestrum is harmful by retarding the 

 final closure of the wound. About five days after removal 

 of the sequestrum the bottom of the wound is curetted to 



