NASAL GLEET.
Besides the distortion, the next prominent symptom attending nasal gleet is fetor. Discharge is not always present. It is irregular in its appearance, but can generally be made to flow, by a brisk trot or by some tempting food being placed upon the ground. Stench and discharge, often coming only from one nostril, but occasionally from two, are likewise symptomatic of the same disorder.
Pus is, naturally, the blandest secretion of the body; but being confined, it corrupts, and then smells abominably. The blow, which started up the secretion, injured the bones forming facial sinuses. Those cavities open to the nostril on either side by two comparatively small flaps, slits, or valves. These are their only means of communication with the external atmosphere; and through these valves all the pus must flow. Is it surprising if such structures occasionally become clogged, till the accumulated secretion, or the increased breathing, or the position of the head, obliges the passage to give way?
The chances likely to result upon treatment are about equal, but the process is generally slow. The trephine has to be employed upon the facial sinus, and circular portions of bone have to be removed. Into the openings thus made is to be injected, by means of a pint pewter syringe, half a gallon of tepid water, or water heated to ninety-six degrees, in which half a drachm of chloride of zinc is dissolved. The chloride of zinc not only destroys the fetor, but also disposes the membrane to take on a new action.
THE TREPHINE, BY MEANS OF
WHICH A CIRCULAR PIECE OF
BONE MAY BE REMOVED.
INJECTING THE HEAD OF A HORSE FOR NASAL GLEET.
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