104 , , : THE DISEASES OF THE DOS. 



carious tooth may act as a determining cause, but the non- 

 specific disease is that which is seen in nine cases out of 

 ten. Treatment. — Remove all carious teeth and evacuate 

 any pus which has accumulated. Wash the mouth out 

 regularly with solution of chloride of zinc. Dress the ab- 

 scess cavity with tincture of myrrh. In the meanwhile 

 strengthen the patient with tonics and easily digestible 

 food, for this disorder is most exhausting. 



No such serious effects from overgrowth follow the loss 

 of molar teeth in the dog as in herbivora, the alveolus 

 closes and becomes covered with a somewhat hardened 

 gum, which, if not useful, is at any rate neutral in mastica- 

 tion. 



Cleft Palate. — A curious case of this defect in develop^ 

 ment has come under my notice. The patient was ' a 

 young bull terrier, and the central upper incisors were 

 shed. . The cloven condition of the palate was associated 

 with harelip and a. complete division between the two 

 anterior nares. The defect apparently caused little incon- 

 venience except the loss of incisor teeth due to atrophy of 

 their fangs. 



. DISEASES OP THE TONGUE.— Glossitis originates 

 from injuries, such as stings, lacerations by sharp things 

 seized by animals when enraged, burns, and bruising 

 between the teeth. There is swelling of the organ, which 

 hangs from the mouth in a state of temporary paralysis.; 

 some soreness of the throat is generally present, and saliva 

 flows profusely from the mouth. Fever often runs higb. 

 Treatment. — Usually the acute symptoms, rapidly subside 

 if the patient be kept quiet, allowed a quantity of nitrated 

 water to moisten his mouth with, when he wishes, and not 

 troubled by frequent administration of medicines or forcing 

 with food. The functional importance of the affected 

 organ is mainly in the direction of ingestion of water, and 

 it is seldom inflamed except as a result of injury. Inflam.- 

 mation therefore subsides as the healing process of the 

 wounded parts sets in, and chronic disorder of the organ 

 seldom occurs. ) 



In .some animals Paralysis . of. ..the . Tongtoe, as indb- 



