NECROSING STOMATITIS IN CALVES. 123 



NECROSING STOMATITIS IN CALVeS. 



Definition. This name is applied to a special stomatitis, which in very 

 young animals produces superficial necrosis of more or less extensive 

 areas of the buccal mucous membrane, and sometimes of subjacent parts. 



The disease, although somewhat rare in France, has been mentioned 

 by Lafosse and well studied by Damman and Lenglen. 



Causation. Its cause is still imperfectly understood. Some regard it as 

 a consequence of insufficient nourishment, of disturbance resulting from 

 dentition, of general exhaustion, and of bad hygienic conditions. These 

 explanations* are scarcely sufficient, however, and at the present time 

 there is a tendency to regard it as a complication of primary grave, 

 debilitating diseases, like the diarrhoea of calves, omphalitis, omphalo- 

 phlebitis, etc. Moussu has never seen it apart from omphalitis, and 

 he considers the lesions due to the action of the bacillus of necrosis. 

 Infection occurs through the mnbilicus becoming soiled by contact with 

 the litter. 



The early symptoms consist in loss of aj)petite, congestion of the 

 mucous membranes, and salivation. Early examination of the buccal 

 cavity reveals the presence everywhere, except on the palate, of whitish- 

 grey or yellowish patches, whose aspect is markedly in contrast with that 

 of neighbouring parts. These are fragments of the mucous membrane 

 undergoing necrosis. They are numerous, are surrounded by a narrow 

 inflamed zone, and may be from | inch to 1 inch in diameter. 



Necrosis advances rapidly, and extends throughout the thickness of 

 the mucous membrane ; the slough soon becomes delimited and separates. 

 The odour of the mouth is then absolutely fcetid, and the saliva appears 

 streaked with pus and blood. 



The ulcerations exhibit a livid base, and show no tendency to heal. 

 Necrosis extends in depth, and affects the muscles, tendons, and even the 

 periosteum and the bones. The teeth are frequently loosened. 



Grave complications, such as pharyngitis, broncho-pneumonia, infec- 

 tious enteritis, and septicaemia soon appear, and the animals are carried 

 off by septic infection and intoxication in a few days — at the longest 

 in a week. 



Diagnosis. The diagnosis is only difficult at first ; and, at a later 

 stage, the only mistake possible is that of confounding the condition with 

 a very grave attack of aphthous stomatitis. Local sanitary conditions 

 are sufficient to secure the avoidance of this error. 



Prognosis. The prognosis is extremely grave ; the disease usually 

 results in death ; recovery is exceptional. Very luckily the disease seems 

 to become rare in direct proportion as the hygienic conditions of cattle 

 breeding and keeping are improved. 



