Treatment. The first steps in treatment are in the nature of local disinfection, in order to prevent general infection. The mouth therefore should be washed out five or six times per day with boiled water, followed by antiseptic injections until improvement commences. Solutions of boric acid or borax (3 per cent.), chlorate of potassium (2 to 3 per cent.), or salicylic acid (3 to 4 per cent.), are useful, but the free employment of 1, 2, or 3 per cent. solutions of chloral is even preferable.
With the idea of protecting the organ from external injury, Lafosse formerly suggested the use of a suspensory bandage for the tongue, fixed to the base of the horns by small bandages. Guittard recommends scarification of the free part, and the application of a support perforated at the bottom to allow the blood, saliva, pus, etc., to escape. In spite of careful attention the disease may last from two to three weeks.
CHRONIC GLOSSITIS.
This form of disease has also been termed “sclerosing glossitis” and “non-actinomycotic wooden tongue,” because it is anatomically characterised by induration of the tissues, and because apparently it resembles true “wooden tongue,” with which it was confused until within the last few years. Imminger in 1888 and Pflug in 1891 described two forms. The first, termed “superficial sclerosing glossitis,” is said to be the more frequent, and most commonly affects young animals suffering from irregularities in dentition. It seems due to a superficial acute glossitis assuming a chronic form. The submucous connective tissue in time undergoes hyperplastic changes, so that the tongue at first becomes swollen and afterwards absolutely rigid. One never finds ulcerations or actinomyces.
Diagnosis. A close examination will always enable the case to be diagnosed at the first visit, or under any circumstances after a short time.
The prognosis is very grave, because the animal has the greatest difficulty in grasping and masticating food, or may even be unable to do so. Patients lose flesh very rapidly, and end by dying of hunger.
Treatment is of little service. The administration of iodine, the only drug which appears indicated, has proved of very questionable value. Economically, it is better to slaughter the animal.
The second variety is rare, and has been termed “deep-seated sclerosing glossitis.” It is simply a chronic form of ordinary deep-seated glossitis. The layers of connective tissue separating the muscles are represented by very hard, inelastic vertical partitions. As a consequence, the whole tongue becomes indurated and more or less completely immobile. In this condition, again, there is neither ulceration nor actinomyces.
Diagnosis. The diagnosis necessitates a careful examination. In the living animal it is very difficult to establish a distinction between this and the preceding form, though after death the task becomes much easier.