126 DISEASES OF THE MOUTH. 



care. The mucous membrane is then seen to present a very varying 

 number of greyish- white or greyish-brown points, each of which is due to 

 the destruction of the epitheHum and to the production of a pultaceous 

 deposit, which can very readily be removed, leaving uncovered superficial 

 ulcerations, which bleed if very lightly touched. These ulcerations are 

 of irregular shape, and are distributed most freely over the gums, the 

 internal surface of the lips and cheeks. The palate and tongue are only 

 invaded in the last stages. Still later one notes, instead of these ulcera- 

 tions and as a consequence of abnormalities in the process of repair, 

 reddish violet turgid vegetations varying in size from that of a millet 

 seed to that of a pepper-corn or even of a small mulberry. 



The total duration of the disease varies with its degree of intensity. 

 In favourable cases it may not exceed eight to ten days ; in grave cases 

 it continues for fifteen to twenty days. Eecovery is usual when the 

 subjects are vigorous and well-nourished lambs, or well-kept sheep, 

 previously free of disease. On the other hand, Moussu has noted a mor- 

 tality of 15 to 20 per cent, in thin animals of bad bodily condition and 

 already depressed by verminous broncho-pneumonia and intestinal hel- 

 minthiasis. When the attack is about to j)rove fatal, complications such 

 as gastro-enteritis, resulting from septic infection or intoxication, and 

 accompanied by foetid diarrhoea, often make their appearance. 



Diagnosis. The diagnosis presents no difficulty, the characteristics of 

 this stomatitis being entirely different from those of the aphthous form. 

 The claws are never affected, and there is no lameness. 



Prognosis. In this connection the practitioner will do wisely to avoid 

 committing himself, and to closely study the conditions under which the 

 disease has developed. In all cases the appearance of foetid diarrhoea 

 must be regarded as of very unfavourable augury. 



Treatment. The first precaution to take consists in separating all 

 the healthy animals in the flock, and placing them in a non-contaminated 

 spot. 



The diseased are then treated one by one ; each day the buccal cavity 

 is washed out with boiled water or with a solution of borax or boric acid. 

 After each w^ashing the ulcerations should be touched with tincture of 

 iodine or with some other rather active antiseptic solution. Finally it 

 might be useful, and would be of value, to add to the gruel or water a 

 small quantity of common salt and of salicylate of soda at the rate of 

 15 grains to the pint. 



GENERAL CATARRHAL STOMATITIS IN SWINE. 



Causes. " Swine suffer from simple stomatitis w^hen exposed to 

 thermal, mechanical, or chemical irritants. Such irritants comprise food 

 that is too hot, or is hard and fibrous, or which contains spikes and awns, 



