14 
DISEASES OF THE TONGUE. 
inch beyond the first molar. In three weeks the horse could again 
eat ordinary food, but took three times as long as formerly to do so. 
Liidecke described a similar case, in which the tongue was lost as far 
as the commencement of the frsenum, but nevertheless the horse could 
eat as usual. Cadiot and Dollar describe two cases, in one of which the 
right side of the tongue was lost from a point just in front of the first 
molars; recovery occurred in about three weeks, and there was no 
subsequent difficulty in prehension or mastication. In the other the 
tongue was divided transversely, the stump only extending two inches 
below the first molars. Despite the mutilation there was no difficulty in 
grasping or masticating food (“ Clinical Veterinary Medicine and 
Surgery,” p. BB3). 
In dogs defects in the tongue interfere especially with drinking, as 
some of the water flows back. But in time both dogs and horses learn 
to eat and drink in the usual manner. The superficial vessels sometimes * 
are torn, but the arteria linguae profunda may not be divided, and in 
this rare contingency the nutrition of the anterior part of the tongue 
is not interfered with. When, however, the profunda is torn, necrosis of 
the point of the tongue may easily follow. Severe bleeding after the 
injury is, therefore, an unfavourable symptom. Cagny shows that even 
severe injuries to the tongue may heal. The end of a horse’s tongue had 
almost been cut off about four inches from the tip by a rubber ring; 
nevertheless the wound entirely healed, without suturing and without 
loss by necrosis. 
Treatment consists in carefully cleansing the cavity of the mouth after 
each meal. The horse is then either muzzled or tied up, to prevent 
it soiling the wound by eating. Clean water should always be kept 
in the stall. Deep wounds, i.e., such as reach nearly half through 
the tongue, must be carefully sutured. Very strong silk is the best 
material, and the stitches are inserted deeply and close together, 
otherwise they are liable to tear out. Sometimes it is even possible 
in this manner to bring about healing by first intention. If in trans¬ 
verse wounds the point of the tongue is already gangrenous, it will be 
needful to amputate, but there must be no haste, and the operation 
should be deferred until unmistakable signs of necrosis have appeared, 
for not infrequently the tip may be preserved, even where the cut 
extends three quarters through the thickness of the tongue. Profuse 
bleeding results on division of the hypoglossal artery, but if the horse 
has been cast for operation the vessel can easily be taken up with forceps 
and tied. Amputation by the elastic ligature obviates this complication. 
Injury to the fraenum often leads to formation of abscesses, which may 
require to be opened. Under any circumstances, the parts must be 
kept scrupulously clean. 
