The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1916-01-13
BLACK TONGUE IS
FATAL TO DOGS


States, results in a heavy mortality
among dogs in that section. Many
valuable hunting dogs have been lost
from this cause. Recent reports
indicate it's occurrence in Alabama
Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisi,
ana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ok
lahama, South Carolina, Tennessee
Texas, Virginia, and the District of
Columbia.
AS the name indicates, there is an
inflamed and swollen condition of
the tongue, which may assume a
dark color. Such inflammation is
not confined to the tongue, but may
involve the membranes of themouth
generally, and extend to the throat,
causing great difficulty in swallow
ing. In fact, usually the first symp-
toms observed by owners Of affect
ed dogs are the profuse flow of sail
va from the mouth, dissemination to
masticate food, and difficulty in
swallowing. The breath becomes
offensive, the animal is more or less
feverish, and as the disease progress
es, he becomes greatly Frustrated,
this condition of weakness being ag-
gravated through inability of the dog
to take nourishment.
Various investigators have con-
sidered the disease identical with the
so-called typhus of dogs as occurring
in Europe; others have attributed it
to the eating of putrid carcases in
the field, believing that infection
takes place through wounds in the
mouth from eating bones with sharp
points. AS the germs of necrosis
has been found in the mouth in GER
of these cases, it has ben assumed by
some that it may be necrotic con
dition. At least one investigator,
who has studied the trouble, is of
the opinion that it may be a result
of investigation with hookworms, and
is reported to have been successful in
the treatment of black tongue by
the administration Of full doses of
thymol, followed by a purgative dose
of epson salts. The true nature has
never been determined and further
research will be necessary to estab
fish it's cause.
In a majority of cases the dis
ease terminates in death, and treat
ment appears to be Of little avail eX-
cept when applied in the very early
stages.
Various methods of treatment have
been employed. According to spec
ialists of the United States Depart
ment of Agriculture, it appears that
the best results are obtained by the
prompt use of disinfectants in the
mouth of the affected animal be-
fore the disease has advanced to any
appreciable extent. For this purpose
one ounce of of "alkaline antiseptic,"
which is listed in the National Form
ulary of the American Pharmaceu-
teal Association, and can be pro
cured from a druggist, may be added
to two ounces of distilled water, the
resulting mixture to be sprayed into
the mouth with a small syringe.
Washing the mouth with a solution
of potassium permanganate, 1 part
to 500 parts of water, three times
daily may also prove beneficial.
An offensive diarrhea is frequent
ly associated with the disease, and
to relieve this condition it is ad-
visable to administer 5-grain doses Of
aalol times daily, of zinc-sulpho-
carbolate in doses of from to 20 |
grains several times daily.
If the dog is unable to eat, mix
ture of egg and milk should be given
at least twice daily, by pouring it |
into the animals mouth.
In view Of the possible infections
nature Of the disease, prompt re-
moval of an affected dog from other
CANNES and a careful and frequent |
disinfection of the kennels is recon-
mended. Methods of disinfection
are described in Farmers Bulletin
48O, "Practical Methods of Disinfect-
ing Stables" This bulletin can be
obtained free of charge by applying
to the Editor and Chief, Division of
Publications, United States Depart
ment of Agriculture.
A Florida veterinarian, expert
enced in treating this disease, be-
lieves that ten drops of nitro-muri-
attic acid added to one-haIf pint of
water, and given as the exclusive
water drink of dogs, tends to pre-
vent the affection and also has some
value as a curative agent. AS the
acid has some disinfecting properties,
and acts as an aid to digestion, it is
not improbable that it's use as sug-