106 DISEASES OF THE DOMESTIC ANIMALS 



Glossitis. 



Inflammation of the tongue is caused by all kinds of local irri- 

 tation; rough handling of the tongue, sharp teeth, hot or irritant 

 drenches, wounds, caustic alkalies, etc. That is, injury plus the in- 

 vasion of pyogenic bacteria. Swelling and heavy coating of the 

 tongue, salivation, difficulty in mastication, fetid breath, with fever, 

 are seen. Abscess may ensue. 



Treatment consists in superficial scarification in many places, if 

 there is much swelling. The tongue should be frequently swabbed 

 with equal parts of saturated boric acid solution and a solution of 

 gum arabic or boiled starch or barley flour. Ice water should be 

 kept before the animal. If deglutition is interfered with, food may 

 be given the horse through a stomach tube introduced into one nos- 

 tril, or rectal feeding may be undertaken. 



In glossitis due to caustic alkalies, swabbing frequently with 

 a solution of vinegar and water (1-2), will afford relief. 



In wounds and lacerations of the tongue all tissue should be 

 saved, so far as possible, and suturing employed as indicated. 



Abscess* demands incision. 



Heart Disease, Chronic. 



(a) Valvular Disease, Chronic Endocarditis. — Valvular 

 disease of the heart arises from sclerosis of the valves, resulting in 

 narrowing of their orifices or imperfect closure of the valves. The 

 effect upon the circulation is to cause underfilling of the arterial, 

 and overfilling of the venous systems. This follows because of 

 obstruction in the heart (stenosis) to flow of blood from the venous 

 to arterial systems ; or to flowing back of the blood through leaky 

 valves from the arterial to the venous side of the heart. Nature 

 attempts to remedy these defects by bringing about increased mus- 

 cular development of the heart, or hypertrophy. Hypertrophy is 

 often sufficient to prevent symptoms, when " compensation " is es- 

 tablished, and drug treatment is unnecessary. If compensation 



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