122 DISEASES OF THE MOUTH. 



has earned for this form of stomatitis the names of " erythematous " 

 and " erysipelatous stomatitis." 



If the stomatitis is due to local multiple irritation, such as results 

 from spines and prickles in the food, the abnormal vascular appearance 

 is confined to the neighbourhood of the abrasions or punctures, and the 

 affected regions are of very varying size. In some cases, principally as a 

 consequence of trifling local irritation and of burns of the first and 

 second degree, blisters of varying size may develop and break, leaving 

 behind ulcerations, which, however, always heal rapidly. The aphthous 

 non-contagious .stomatitis mentioned by certain authors seems most 

 probably to pertain to this class. 



Diagnosis. The diagnosis is usually easy, and a little attention to 

 the accompanying symptoms is sufficient to avoid confusion with the 

 various forms of symptomatic stomatitis. 



The prognosis is favourable. 



Treatment is based on removal of the determining cause, if this can 

 be recognised, withdrawal of rough forage, removal of sharp points on 

 the teeth, extraction of stumps, etc. As a rule, recovery follows rapidly. 

 It can be hastened by washing out the mouth directly, or by means of a 

 syringe, with water containing honey, vinegar, decoctions of brier twigs, 

 oak bark, barley or rice. This treatment is completed by supplying 

 nourishing gruel and food demanding little mastication. 



CATARKHAL STOMATITIS IN SHEEP. 



" The more delicate buccal mucosa in these animals would render 

 them more subject to inflammations, but this is more than counter- 

 balanced by the mode of prehension of aliments, not by the tongue, but 

 by the delicately- sensitive lips, and further by the daintiness and care 

 with which these animals select their food. The treatment would not 

 differ materially from that prescribed for the ox." (Law's "Veterinary 

 Medicine," Vol. II. p. 15.) 



[The treatment referred to consists of simple astringent and anti- 

 septic washes, borax given in the drinking water, or mixed with honey 

 or treacle and smeared occasionally on the tongue. Washes of sodii 

 hyposulphis or sulphis, or even weak solution of carbolic acid, may be 

 used after the irritant cause has been removed. Vinegar or diluted 

 mineral acids may be used alternately with decoctions of blackberry bark 

 or other vegetable astringents. When there are symptoms of gastric 

 disorder a laxative, followed by vegetable bitters and other tonics, may 

 be prescribed. Foreign bodies — thorns, wire, etc. — fixed in the tongue, 

 cheek, or palate should be searched for and removed at the first 

 examination of the patient.] 



