CHAPTER VI. 

 DISEASES OF THE GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT. 



THE MOUTH. 



To inflammation of the mucous membrane of the mouth 

 the term stomatitis is applied. 



Catarrhal stomatitis is a simple inflammation unattended by 

 ulceration. It occurs most frequently in children, and results 

 from a great variety of causes, such as food which is too hot 

 or too cold, lack of cleanliness, etc. The mucous membrane 

 is congested and swollen, and either unduly dry or there is 

 an increased production of its mucous secretion. 



Croupous or pseudomembranous stomatitis is nearly always 

 due to the extension of a similar inflammation in thepliaryrix, 

 produced by the bacillus of diphtheria. 



Ulcerous stomatitis occurs most frequently between the ages 

 of four and ten years; though it may occur in adults in local- 

 ized epidemics, in camps and garrisons. Certain drugs, espe- 

 cially mercury, are capable of producing similar lesions. The 

 inflammatory process begins on the border of the gums 

 and extends to the lips, cheeks, and edges of the tongue. The 

 ulcers which form on the lips and cheeks may become quite 

 large. Suppuration and destruction of tissue around the 

 teeth may be so great that they finally become loosened and 

 fall out. 



Aphthous stomatitis also occurs most frequently in children. 

 Bad hygiene, and debility resulting from prolonged illness, are 

 predisposing causes. It is characterized by the presence of 

 small yellowish-white patches (aphthce), lying on an inflamed 

 base, and varying in size from that of a hemp-seed to that of 

 a split pea. The lesion first appears as a small red papule with 

 a whitish centre. By the end of twenty-four hours this white 

 central area of degenerated epithelial cells involves the whole 

 patch. The inflammatory process seldom leads to liberation. 



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