ON THE DISORDERS OF THE DIGESTIVE APPARATUS. 103 



Caries of the teeth of the dog generally involves the 

 fangs, and is the result of hereditary taint, excessive sali- 

 vation, or indigestion from excessive and erroneous feed- 

 ing. The symptoms in these cases are sometimes very 

 urgent ; extreme fetor of the mouth and breath, looseness 

 of teeth with pain on pressure, deposits of tartar, and 

 absolute refusal of food. Treatment comprises extrac- 

 tion by means of forceps, which is generally not difficult, 

 removal of tartar from sound neighbouring teeth, and 

 the adoption of measures already indicated for cleansing 

 and purifying the mouth. Bleeding from the gum 

 after extraction is of no importance and may safely 

 be trusted to cease spontaneously. After removal of a 

 carious tooth we must strictly regulate the diet, firstly 

 giving soft food such as will require little mastication, 

 and afterwards adopting a rational course of diet so 

 as to give the teeth a fair amount of work and pre- 

 vent others from becoming carious. To very nervous 

 patients when suffering from toothache small doses of 

 chlorodyne may be given ; but it must be also remembered 

 that fresh air and regular diet are the best means of 

 correcting the neuralgias to which our pampered canine 

 patients are so liable. 



Abscess of the Jaw is one of the most serious conse- 

 quences of neglected caries of the fang. On removal of 

 the tooth pus escapes and the healing process proceeds 

 with rapidity, but sometimes this condition is neglected 

 and severe osteitis sets in, a great deal of swelling of the 

 bone is found ; this is spongy, and the animal evidently 

 suffers very much pain ; there is profuse salivation, and 

 entire refusal of food. At a later stage the abscess may 

 burst below the jaw, leaving a fistulous ulcer running 

 from below upwards. The gums become spongy, swollen, 

 and very liable to bleed on the slightest touch, and the 

 mouth is very offensive. This diseased state of the jaw is 

 known as canker of the mouth, but as there is no specific 

 influence at work this is not a good name for the affection. 

 Of course sarcomatous disease may involve the jaw as well 

 as any other bone in the body, and the irritation from a 



