STOMATITIS FROM CAUSTICS. 



Caustic Alkalies ; symptoms, lesions and antidotes. Caustic Acids ; 

 symptoms, lesions and antidotes. Caustic salts ; symptoms, lesions and 

 antidotes. 



Caustic Alkalies (soda, potash, ammonia and their carbon- 

 ates) often cause stomatitis. What is supposed to be weak lye, 

 given to counteract indigestions, colics, and tympanies often 

 proves dangerous^- irritating, and .some of the worst forms of 

 stomatitis we have ever seen in the horse originated in this way. 

 As the animal refused to swallow, the caustic liquid lay in the 

 mouth and virtually dissolved the epithelium and surface layers 

 of the fibrous mucosa. The surface in such a case is usually of 

 a deep red, and where the cuticular covering remains, it is white 

 and corrugated. The antidote is a weak, non-irritant acid, such 

 as vinegar, boric, citric, or .salicylic acid. When the caustic 

 alkali has been thoroughly neutralized in this way the ordinary 

 treatment for catarrhal stomatitis may be followed. The attend- 

 ant gastritis must receive its special treatment. 



Caustic Acids. Sulphuric, nitric and hydrochloric acids act 

 by abstracting liquids and charring the tissues. The lesions from 

 strong sulphuric acid turn black, those due to nitric acid, yellow, 

 (zanthoproteic acid,) and those due to muriatic acid are white, 

 with the characteristic odor of chlorine. The antidote in 

 such cases is a non-irritant basic agent, such as chalk, lime water, 

 soapsuds, calcined magnesia, and mucilaginous liquids, albumen, 

 gluten, flax seed, with opium. The same agents are applicable 

 to the attendant gastritis and when the acids are thoroughly 

 neutralized the treatment is as for simple inflammation. 



Caustic Salts. Among caustic salts may be named mercuric 

 chloride, sulphates of copper and iron, chlorides of iron and zinc, 

 tartar emetic. These may be treated by albumen, blood, white 

 of egg, milk, gluten, mucilage and other sheathing, protecting 

 agents which will form with the .salts insoluble and harmless 

 coagula. The subsequent treatment will follow the lines marked 

 out for simple stomatitis. To prevent infection of the raw sur- 

 face Cadeac recommends: tannic acid i oz., benzonaphthol 3 

 drachms, powdered gentian 6 drachms, honey, sufficient to make 

 an electuary. 



