Cattle 1853 - Lewis Family Farm

180 CATTLE.
must be continually in contact with the ground, and cannot always
be in the cleanest state. Nature has given the best of defences
against this. The outer covering of the upper lip is thickly studded
with glands, and a fluid can be seen pouring out from them. If an
ox be watched, drops are seen coursing down his muzzle, and falling
on the ground. The upper lip, in health, is always wet ; the insect
cannot easily fasten, nor dirt accumulate ;
or if the one adhere, or the
other collect, the tongue is protruded, it passes over the moistened
surface, and all is clear again.
We notice the secretion from these glands when we form a judgment
of the animal, and the degree of disease. While the muzzle is
moist, i. e., while the natural secretions are going forward, there is
no great constitutional disturbance, and consequently no great danger;
in' proportion as that secretion is lessened, there is general
sympathy with some local affection ; and when it becomes altogether
suspended, it is an indication of much universal derangement. There
is nothing more in this secretion than in any other, but it is easily
observed, and the changes in it can be accurately marked.
THE MEMBRANE OF THE MOUTH.
This is thin and delicate, compared with the external integument.
Every part of the mouth is lined with it, and it contains numerous
glands, occasionally rising into little papillae, from which a considerable
portion of the usual moisture of the mouth is derived. The
gums and the bars are covered by this membrane, but they are denser
and less sensible.
THE 'BARS.
These consist of a firm substance, of a cartilaginous nature, adher-
ing to the bones of the roof of the mouth, by numerous little cords,
penetrating into these bones. They are hard and adherent, that the
food may be rolled against the palate, and formed into proper
masses for swallowing, whether in the first or second mastication.
The palate is divided into numerous ridges running across the
mouth, and on the posterior edge of which there is a fringed border,
consisting of papillae of much consistence and strength, and all
pointing backward ; so that the food is permitted to travel backward,
in this process of formation into pellets, but cannot again get
into the fore part of the mouth.
THE PAD ON THE ANTERIOR MAXILLARY BONE.
These bars are rather flat, hard, and irregular, and these papillae
at the edges of the bars are quite strong. The bars thicken towards
the fore part of the mouth, and there they accumulate into a pad, or
cushion, which covers the convex extremity of the anterior maxillary