DISLOCATION OF THE LOWER JAW. 
97 
Cadiot and Dollar describe a case of double fracture of the lower jaw 
_viz., through the neck and through the branch under the masseter 
muscle—in an eight month old poodle, in consequence of a kick from a 
horse. A dressing formed of layers of linen smeared with pitch was 
applied, and further secured by bands of tarlatan passed over the head 
and round the neck. A muzzle was eventually applied. The patient 
was at first spoon-fed with liquid food and afterwards with chopped lean 
meat. Union was complete in one month, and the animal could take 
its ordinary food, though there was a slight deformity from callus 
formation. 
(3.) DISLOCATION (LUXATION) OF THE LOWER JAW. 
This occurs only in carnivora: the long coronoid process and limited 
mobility of the joint render it impossible in herbivora unless after 
fracture. Staghounds, and sporting and drovers’ dogs most frequently 
suffer ; the first often, from being struck by the hind foot of the animal 
they are pursuing. Dislocation is frequently complicated with fracture. 
Sometimes it is confined to one side, but double-sided luxations also 
occur, thus resembling the condition usual in man. 
Symptoms and course. The mouth hangs open, and can neither be 
closed voluntarily nor by external assistance. Salivation, protrusion of 
the tongue, and inability to eat are also present. Sometimes the ball of 
the eye is pushed forward by pressure of the dislocated coronoid process 
(exophthalmus). In one-sided dislocation the jaw hangs towards the 
sound side. The condition may be mistaken for paralysis of the lowe- 
jaw, and for the presence of foreign bodies in the mouth or between the 
teeth. But in paralysis, the lower jaw is passively movable, and the 
mouth can be closed by pressure, whilst the presence of foreign bodies is 
determined by local examination. As in rabies the mouth often hangs 
open very much as in luxation of the jaw, care should be observed in 
making the local examination. A favourable course is insured if pro¬ 
fessional assistance is sought early and no complications exist; but 
recurrences nevertheless occur, and animals should therefore not be 
used for some time after apparent recovery. Where much bleeding has 
taken place into the orbit, replacement of the prolapsed eye sometimes 
proves difficult. . . . „ , . , 
Reduction is most easily effected by inserting a stick about f of an inch 
in thickness transversely into the mouth, and pushing it well back. The 
operator then seizes the front of both jaws and presses them together 
the stick acting as a fulcrum to the two-armed lever. The coronoid 
process is thus drawn downwards, and can be brought into normal 
position by pushing the dislocated jaw sideways towards the middle line. 
H 
V.S. 
