Etiology. Symptoms. 183 



of dogs lias repeatedly been seen when these animals have been 

 running around in fields abounding with stinging nettles. The 

 hairs of the latter get into the mouth on inspiration and pene- 

 trate the mucous membrane. (Rolir.) 



Feed infected with various fungi is believed to be partic- 

 ularly prone to cause inflammation. However, the experiments 

 of v. Tubeuf have failed to demonstrate the correctness of this 

 claim. (Fuhlings, Landw. Zeitung, 1904, 467.) 



Feed plants are subject to infeetiou with the following rust and other fungi; 

 the rape destroyer (Polydesnnis exitiosus), the fungus of Swedish clover (Uromyces 

 occultus), the rust of grain (Puecinia graminis), the rust of reed (Puccinia 

 arundinacea, also mildew (Erysiphe communis) and Tilletia caries. 



Caterpillars or the hairs of caterpillars mixed with feed 

 cause inflammation both in consequence of traumatic injury 

 and also on account of the presence of acrid poisons ; injurious 

 caterpillars are especially Bomliyx processionalis and Por- 

 thesia chrysorrhoea. Similar effects are produced by plant 

 lice when present in large numbers; mites (Acarus farinas?) 

 are likewise said to produce such inflammatory processes. 



Secondary catarrh of the buccal mucosa starting from the 

 gums or their neighborhood may be due to the eruption or 

 change of the teeth (gingivitis, oulitis). 



Catarrh is frequently seen in the course of infectious and 

 intestinal diseases, in which decomposition products of the sa- 

 liva and the desquamated epithelia accumulating in the buccal 

 cavity undoubtedly play an important role. Catarrh of the 

 buccal mucosa is also common in inflammatory conditions of the 

 neighboring organs (pharynx, larynx, salivary glands). A mu- 

 cous membrane, debilitated by general nutritive disturbances, 

 rachitis, anemia, marasmus, becomes predisposed to the devel- 

 opment of catarrhal affections. This is also, partially at least, 

 the reason why disease of the mucosa of the mouth is seen occa- 

 sionally in dogs during gastro-intestinal inflammations or 

 sepsis. 



Finally, stomatitis occurs during the prodromal stage of 

 specific infectious diseases (foot-and-mouth disease, infectious 

 pustular stomatitis of horses, variola, rinderpest, malignant 

 catarrhal fevers, scorbutus, diphtheria^ etc.). 



Symptoms. In acute stomatitis, an increased sensibility of 

 the mucosa of the mouth is observed, and this causes 

 the animal to take and chew its food in a more care- 

 ful, deliberate manner. Thirst is generally increased. 

 On examination, the mucous membrane exhibits an in- 

 crease of temperature and congestion; the increased red- 

 ness may be uniform or in patches ; tenacious mucus is 

 present. Sometimes there is some swelling, and in horses it 

 is often considerable on the hard palate (frog on hard palate). 



