184 Catarrh of the Buccal Cavity. 



This is due to a marked hyperemia caused by compression of 

 the venous plexus. Sometimes the tongue shows edematous 

 swelhng with transverse furrows or dental impressions. Occa- 

 sionally, the excretory ducts of the mucous glands become oc- 

 cluded, and then small grayish nodules (stomatitis follicularis) 

 are seen here and there, particularly on the internal surfaces of 

 the lips. These may exceptionally form small, shallow ulcera- 

 tions, which generally heal promptly; however, larger ulcers are 

 sometimes found and such may also appear on the skin in the 

 neighljorhood of the lips and the nose ; the hmiphatic glands and 

 their vessels may also become swollen (Kohnhauser). Vegeta- 

 ble barbs which penetrate the mucosa also occasionally lead to 

 the formation of small ulcers, up to pea size ; the vegetable parts 

 which have caused the ulceration may generally be seen at their 

 base (Koiranski). In certain cases of stomatitis, an edematous 

 swelling of the lips and cheeks, also a catarrhal inflammation of 

 the nasal mucosa, may be observed. 



The saliva is increased, salivation occurs, and a foamy fluid 

 with large air bubbles adheres to the lips. Owing to the de- 

 composition of the saliva and of the desquamated epithelia, a 

 sweetish disagreeable smell becomes manifest (foetor ex ore). 



The loosened epithelia, which are found on the surface of 

 the tongue mixed with particles of food, form a light or dark 

 grayish, occasionally greenish or brown cracked layer, which 

 in carnivora hides the red flesh color of the adjacent muscular 

 layer. 



In cattle and in cats, the epithelial covering of the filiform 

 papillaB, which is even normally well developed, proliferates a 

 good deal and the upper surface of the tongue becomes markedly 

 white, or yellowish and rough. A similar, though generally less 

 marked, deposit may also be seen in other parts of the buccal 

 cavity, such as the gums, the internal surface of the cheeks, the 

 corners of the lips. 



In fowls, the comparatively thick epithelial layer becomes 

 dry and opaque and forms a pseudomembranous covering (pelli- 

 cula linguaB, pituitas). 



Chronic stomatitis rarely leads to disturl^ances of the gen- 

 eral health, which are then similar to those of the acute form, 

 but usually milder. 



Course. Primary stomatitis always takes a favorable 

 course. After the swelling and the hyperemia subside, the ul- 

 cerations which may have been formed, heal with the develop- 

 ment of a new epithelial covering. Stomatitis follicularis like- 

 wise ends in recovery in one to two weeks, even if neighboring 

 cutaneous parts are involved, although scars may remain if the 

 ulceration has been deep. The course of secondary stomatitis 

 depends upon the nature of the underlying disease. 



