Text book of veterinary medicine, Volume 2 (of 5)Law, James
Science
Text book of veterinary medicine, Volume 2 (of 5)
Law, James
Veterinary medicine
The disease may go on to induration and remain permanently in this
condition, or it may suppurate and discharge through the skin, into the
pharynx or through the duct of Stenon. It may communicate with both the
duct and the skin and determine a fistula. When suppuration occurs there
is an access of fever, a chill may be noticed, the swelling becomes more
tense, harder, more tender to the touch, and even emphysematous, and
finally points internally or externally. This may take place from the
fifth to the tenth day or later. When it opens into the duct it may be
seen oozing from the orifice in the cheek when the mouth is opened, and
in case the jaws are suddenly parted, it may escape in a jet. In such a
case and especially if the microbes have come originally from the food
the odor is very fœtid. The abscess is not always single and when
multiple the pus may escape externally by a variety of orifices. The pus
is usually whitish, yellowish or grayish and creamy, but it may be
grumous or bloody or serous and of a most offensive odor. In exceptional
cases the gland becomes more or less gangrenous and such parts, exposed
in the wound are hard, bloodless and insensible, and add very materially
to the fœtor. This may lead to general septic infection, or the necrosed
masses may slough off and the cavities fill up by granulations.
_Diagnosis._ Parotitis is distinguished from pharyngitis and abscess of
the guttural pouch by the absence of cough and nasal discharge; from
abscess of the pharyngeal glands it is differentiated by the limitation
of the hard swelling to the parotid gland and by the superficial seat of
the resulting abscess. The co-existence of active inflammation serves to
distinguish it from ordinary tumors.
_Treatment._ By way of prevention, the avoidance of injuries by yokes,
forks, pokes, and goads is important. Also the disinfection of the mouth
by a liberal supply of pure water and even by antiseptic washes:—borax,
boric acid, creolin, tannin, chlorate of potash. Also by the removal of
foreign bodies or calculi from the canal.
When the inflammation has set in, a saline laxative is often of value.
Wash the mouth with a solution of vinegar and salt, or other antiseptic,
repeating this at least after every meal. The swollen, painful gland may
be covered with a damp compress or anointed with vaseline to which may
be added a little creolin, naphthol, carbolic acid or salicylic acid,
together with lead acetate and belladonna or other anodyne. The diet
must be soft, cool mashes, sliced or pulped roots or any bland agent
that will demand little or no mastication. Cool, fresh water should be
allowed _ad libitum_. When the laxative has set, it may be followed by
cooling diuretics such as nitrate or acetate of potash.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account