STOMATITIS 99 



treatment. Under such favorable conditions the prognosis 

 is good, recovery occurring in twelve to fifteen days. 



Treatment.— Dietetic.— As the animal refuses food on 

 account of the pain when swallowing it should be forced to 

 take some nourishment (warm milk can be given puppies 

 and kittens; milk and soups to older animals). 



Surgical.— In those cases where the lesions are accessible, 

 the treatment consists in removing all the necrotic tissue with 

 a curette. This exposes the causative agent, an anaerobe, 

 to the air which inhibits its growth and development. 



Medical.— The skin around the head, eyes and mouth 

 must be thoroughly cleaned with antiseptic washes (boric 

 acid 2 per cent., potassium permanganate 1-250). The 

 direct application of carbolic acid (5 per cent.), or Lugol's 

 solution to the exposed areas has proved quite beneficial. 

 In obstinate cases silver nitrate (2 per cent.) may be used. 



Prevention.— Prevention of this disease consists in a thor- 

 ough disinfection once daily for a few days, of the mouth and 

 nose of those animals that have been exposed and are pre- 

 disposed by the eruption of the first teeth or the shedding 

 of the milk teeth ; or through association with affected animals. 

 All filth should be removed from the kennel and disinfectants 

 freely used. 



Phlegmonous Stomatitis.— Definition.— An acute phleg- 

 monous inflammation of the mucous membranes of the 

 mouth, lips and tongue. 



Etiology.— Mechanical.— Foods containing irritating mate- 

 rials. In hunting dogs sharp projections, such as thorns, 

 spikes, nettles, hairs, etc., on grasses and weeds are causes. 



Chemical.— Carbolic acid, alkalies, ammonia, croton oil, 

 etc., when concentrated, produce an intense inflammation 

 and swelling of the membranes. 



Infectious. — It is produced secondarily during the course 

 of diseased processes of neighboring organs (infectious 

 pharyngitis) ; also secondary to infectious diseases (distemper 

 in dogs and cats and diphtheria in birds). 



Pathology.— The mucous membrane is reddened, edematous 

 and covered with a thick tenacious mucus. The subcu- 

 taneous tissues are infiltrated with serum. Desquamation 

 of the epithelium is often noticed from the intense irritation. 



