Lampas in Horses.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1824, 15 March 1884, Page 2 (Supplement)

Lampas in Horses.

Lampas L.uipas is an inllammation or swelling of the ridges, or "bars," in the roof of a horse's mouth behind the upper front teeth. It generally occurs in young horses while sheding their teeth or putting up the tushes. Sometimes, however, it comes on in older horses owing to indigestion, a common cause of which is over-feeding with grain after a run on grass. The mucous membrane of the roof of the mouth swells so that it projects below the level of the nippers and is so tender that the animal either " cuds"itsfood or refuses to eat any but what is soft and unirritating. When this condition is due to dentition lancing the gums alone will often cause relief. Scarification of the affected part with a sharp penknife or lancet will cause the swelling to subside in a day or two; but should it continue obstinate, as it occasionally will, a stick of lunar caustic should be rubbed gently over the part daily until a cure is completed. This will seldom be necessary, however, and is recommended only in obstinate cases. The roof of the mouth is nearly insensible so that there is no cruelty in the operation. If the lampas is owing to the Cutting of a grinder relief will be afforded by an incision in the form of a cross in the protruding gum. After lancing, the mouth should be washed with a solution of the tincture of myrrh, two ounces to a pint of water, or a solution of alum in water, repeated twice a day for three or four days, during which time a kind-hearted man will feed bran mashes or flax-seed gruel and a little new grass when procurable. No hay, corn or oats should be fed for a week or so. At the end of that period the teeth will be able to masticate ordinary food. Often all that ij3 needed in treating lampas is sponging the mouth two or three tunes a day with a weak solution "of alum; or an infusion of witcb-h&zel or barberry bark will answer the

same purpose. In no case should the senseless and brutal praotice of burning the " bars" of the mouth bo followed. — Rural New Yorker.