222 
Canker in Grass Snakes. 
and placed two or three fresh crystals in each of the four 
‘ wounds.’ 
From the time I began to apply solid crystals to the 
wounds, the canker began to subside with the sole exception 
of the deep-seated part in the anterior end of the right palatine. 
This bone shewed the same symptoms as the part of the 
right maxilla which I had to remove. 
On 14th July I removed .55 cm. of the right palatine with 
a little soft flesh and canker attached. See Fig. V. This 
wound was treated exactly like the last, and from this time 
there was never a return of canker anywhere in the mouth, 
the impression being that the crystals of permanganate of 
potash were too strong for the canker bacillus. 
Naturally, Rasper’s mouth was stained deep brown, but 
apart from that it was healing beautifully. Gradually less 
and less dentaries were shewing, and on 27th July the right 
Fig. V. RIGHT PALATINE (enlarged) 
with a little cankered tissue (c) attached, 
removed on 14th July. 
one was quite normal again — no naked bone visible — and 
the snake was able to close his mouth. The wound caused 
by the removal of part of the right maxilla was also com- 
pletely healed, and the snake only seldom chewed. He 
was more active, and frequently lay about on the grass, 
basking in the sun with his long, slender tongue flicking in 
and out. Rasper was quite normal and when I approached 
he pushed his cold nose into my hand for his accustomed 
stroke, then slowly lowered it until it rested flat on the 
grass where he would keep it for as long as I would stroke 
him. 
He often darted in and out of his bath, and cast his skin 
in the end of June, July and August, signifying his good 
condition. Throughout his long illness, Rasper was fed each 
Sunday and Thursday with one raw hen’s egg. 
On 2nd August I discontinued all mouth washes, and 
there were no more signs of canker. 
By 20th August Rasper was completely healed, his mouth 
being spotlessly clean and of a healthy pinkish hue. 
There have been no signs of the return of canker, and the 
snake is now enjoying his natural food of frogs, toads and 
mice. 
The Naturalist 
