THE EFFECTS PRODUCED ON THE LOWER JAW BY THE ENERGETIC USE OF THE SNAFFLE OR BIT.
The most forward and smaller mark indicates the injury usually done by pulling at the snaffle. The more backward dark place indicates the spot where tugging at the bit bruises the bone of the lower jaw.
Supposing a case of this description is submitted to your notice upon the day succeeding its occurrence. No change is anticipated, such as would denote a bruise to other structures. The covering to the gums is thick and hard, and it will conceal much that may be taking place beneath it. If any spot be darker, redder, or whiter in color,—if any place be more sensitive than the adjacent parts, the knife is there inserted till it grate upon the bone. The extent of the necessary incision is decided by the efforts made in resistance. A thin fluid may issue from the orifice; but when the knife grates upon the bone, then the animal's struggles announce the extent of the bruise. Sound bone may be cut, scraped, or even burnt with impunity; but when bruised or otherwise diseased, the structure is most acutely sensitive.
When the wound emits its characteristic odor, a lotion composed of chloride of zinc, one scruple; water, one pint; ess. of aniseseed a sufficiency, should be syringed into the openings, several times during the day. The lotion, also, has a tendency to heal the sores, which must be counteracted by the employment of the knife. Occasionally, however wide the incision, it may be too small for the cast off bone to escape from. The knife again must enlarge the orifice, and the forceps be inserted to grasp the exfoliated substance. That taken away, the lotion is continued and the injury left to heal at Nature's pleasure.
INJURY SOMETIMES ACCOMPLISHED
WITH THE PORT OF THE BIT.
The late W. Percivall, in his excellent work, entitled "Hippopathology," describes horses as sometimes injured under the tongue by the port of the bit. An engraving, representing such an injury, is given; but it is hoped no gentleman of the present day would employ the severe invention by which alone such a hurt could be produced. The consequences may be lasting. The terminations of the sublingual ducts are included in the blackness. Were these bruised and inflamed, their delicate mouths might be obliterated and hopeless fistula be established.
THE UPPER JAW INJURED BY
THE BARBAROUS USE OF THE BIT.
The bit must be sharply and strongly tugged at before it can harm the roof of the mouth. Any one who has seen horses pulled up before a fashionable mansion must have observed them open wide their mouths. They do this to escape the wound of the bit. The animals extend their jaws to prevent it striking the roof of the mouth. Notwithstanding the existing age is more civilized than those which preceded it, the bits used at the present time can, without any vast display of genius, be made to injure the obedient animal, for whose mouth such ferocious checks are forged. An injury thus inflicted is sufficiently serious. The bony roof not only supports the bars, but also forms the solid floor of the nostrils. As it is not very thick, the greater is the danger when it is injured. The wound, because of the unyielding substance on which it is inflicted, is more painful than that of the lower jaw. It is also for the same reason more severe.