28 



DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE APPARATUS. 



expelling the foreign bodies in the salivary duct by pressure, a 

 cure will be obtained in a few days ; but if there is no intervention 

 tumefaction of the gland increases, and leads to suppuration ; 

 sometimes the abscess opens in the mouth, sometimes the pus 

 passes through the skin, in the inter-maxillary space. Wharton's 

 canal becomes voluminous and its walls are often perforated, when 

 the pus passes through it with difficulty. When there is abscess- 

 formation the saliva and pus always exhale a fetid odor. Partial 

 gangrene of the gland is a rare complication. Salivary fistules 

 which may persist after suppuration, or limited mortification of 

 the gland, may become obliterated after a certain time. 



The duration of the disease varies from eight to fifteen days. 



Maxillitis is a benign disease. A rapid cure can always be 

 obtained, provided it is diagnosticated at the beginning. Sup- 

 puration and gangrene give it some gravity, but fatal complications 

 are never to be feared. 



Treatment. Foreign bodies hindering the flow of the saliva 

 must be removed from the canal ; this is the first thing to do in 

 all cases. As a rule, a moderate pressure upon the duct, from 

 behind forward, is sufficient; sometimes, however, it is necessary 

 to make an incision through its walls, running parallel with its 

 direction, and extract the irritating body by means of forceps. 

 For several days nothing but farinaceous drinks and food easy to 

 masticate are to be given the sick animal. The mouth has to be 

 frequently cleansed with fresh water. As soon as the gland has 

 formed an abscess we must make an exit for the pus, and cleanse 

 the cavity by means of antiseptic injections. When affected by 

 partial mortification the same agents may be used. 



PHARYNGITIS: PHARYNGEAL ANGINA. 



Inflammation of the mucous membrane covering the guttural 

 cavity and its immediate neighborhood has for a long time been 

 called angina. Exclusive localization upon the pharynx is 

 extremely rare. Sometimes the symptoms of pharyngitis, at other 

 times those of laryngitis, predominate in the clinical aspects of 

 angina. The separate study of pharyngeal and laryngeal angina 

 is necessary, in order to insure clearness and intelligence of 

 description. 



