598 DISEASES OF THE MOUTH, TONGUE, ETC. 



III. Glossitis. 



Definition. — Simple infiammatio7i of the intimate structure 

 of the tongue. 



Apart from direct injury, or the action of irritant substances, 

 simple glossitis in our patients is a rare affection. Occasionally 

 it would seem in a mild form to accompany inflammatory 

 action affecting the lining membrane of the mouth, or to 

 follow by extension a similar process in contiguous structures. 



When occurring, the body of the organ enlarges from infil- 

 tration amongst the muscular tissue, and as much connective- 

 tissue does not exist in association with the lingual structures 

 it shortly becomes tense, painful, and from protrusion dry and 

 brown along the parts exposed, particularly the dorsum. With 

 the swelling there is difficulty of swallowing, and retention of 

 tenacious saliva and mucus in the mouth, which shortly 

 smell disagreeably. 



Treatment. — Laxatives, which are usually indicated, not being 

 possible of employment in the usual way, must be introduced 

 by the rectum. 



The local measures are free scarification, gargling the mouth 

 first with warm water to favour bleeding, afterwards with a 

 mixture of sulphurous acid and water, or a solution of nitrate 

 or chlorate of potash. Benefit I have also seen follow steady 

 fumigation with medicated vapour from the common nose-bag. 

 Should the swelling not extend and involve the structures of 

 the laryngeal region during the first two or three days, the 

 termination is usually favourable. 



IV. Parotitis. 



Definition. — Inflmnmatlon of an acute or subacute char- 

 acter affecting the structure of the parotid gland. 



Nature and Causation. — During attacks of the specific fever 

 of strangles, the parotids are often affected to a greater or less 

 extent. In addition, however, to this, parotitis is often enough 

 encountered either attendant upon some febrile attack, or 

 following as a result of such. In almost all these attacks, with 

 or without catarrh, the inflammatory action is very erratic ; 

 in some instances being of an acute type, passing rapidly 

 through its different staofcs, and terminatinir in a considerable 



