Fully grown cattle receive daily doses of 1¼ to 2 drams of chlorate of potash internally. This drug appears to owe its favourable action to the fact that it is partly eliminated by the salivary glands. Lastly, with the idea (which may, perhaps, be illusory) of minimising and checking the bad effects of the mercury introduced into the body, certain practitioners have recommended the administration of eggs, flowers of sulphur (2½ to 5 drams), sulphate of iron (1¼ to 2½ drams), and of iodide of potassium (1¼ to 2½ drams), drugs which are alleged to form insoluble compounds with mercury.
GLOSSITIS.
The term “glossitis” is applied to all inflammations of the tongue, whether superficial or deep seated. These inflammations may result from trifling causes, in which case they are termed “simple, acute, or chronic glossites”; or, on the other hand, from well-recognised causes, like tuberculosis or actinomycosis, in which case they receive the name of “specific glossites.” Here only ordinary glossites are investigated, the others being more particularly described in chapters specially reserved for the description of the primary diseases of which these form symptoms.
SUPERFICIAL GLOSSITIS.
This condition is characterised by lesions in the mucous membrane or in the immediately subjacent tissues, deeper seated structures not being involved.
The causes are similar to those of simple stomatitis, and as in animals of the bovine species the tongue is the principal and almost the only organ of prehension, it is particularly exposed to the chance of injury.
As mechanical injury done by rough fodder first makes its effects felt on the tongue, superficial glossitis is often due to the action of sharp or prickly plants like furze, wrestharrow, thistles, sea holly, etc. The glumes, awns, and spikelets on certain plants play a similar part.
Caustic medicinal draughts, hot drinks, and sharp points on the molar teeth may also produce the disease without the rest of the buccal mucous membrane being involved.
Symptoms. These are extremely simple. There is, first of all, some difficulty in grasping the food and some diminution of appetite, which, however, is more apparent than real, the digestive organs acting well. The second symptom consists in moderate salivation without special characters.
The local symptoms alone are characteristic. The mucous membrane covering the tongue appears red, swollen, locally inflamed, and painful. The inflamed areas are usually located on the free part near the frænum or opposite the molar teeth.