92 DISEASES OF THE MOUTH 



ants, such as boric acid (4 per cent.), copper sulphate (2 per 

 cent.), or potassium chlorid (3 per cent.). 



Papulous Stomatitis. — Definition.- — A benign, contagious 

 disease of the mouth of cattle, due to an ultramicroscopic 

 virus and characterized by an eruption in the mucosa and 

 skin around the mouth of yellowish-gray, flattened papules. 

 Probably does not occur in the United States. 



Etiology. — ^An ultramicroscopic virus. The disease is 

 readily transmitted to healthy animals by inoculation into 

 the mucous membrane of the mouth, subcutaneously and 

 intravenously. The mode of natural transmission is not yet 

 known. 



Symptoms. — The period of incubation is one to two weeks. 

 The nodular eruption may involve the muzzle, lips (outer 

 and inner surface), palate, tongue, cheeks, and gums. The 

 nodules are from the size of a wheat grain to a small pea, 

 are at first red and later grayish-yellow in color. Around 

 each nodule is an area of congestion. In the latter stages the 

 centers undergo softening, irregular-shaped pits forming. 

 The bases of the pits are granular, at first red or black and 

 later yellow in color. By coalescence large areas (dollar- 

 sized) appear. The condition may persist for several weeks. 

 There is usually no general disturbance, although in isolated 

 cases fever and fetid breath have been observed. 



Diagnosis. — The peculiar, flattened nodules which appear 

 not only in the mucous membrane, but also on the external 

 skin (muzzle) are significant. Vesicles do not occur and the 

 feet are not involved. 



Prognosis. — ^The disease always ends in healing. 



Treatment. — The same as in catarrhal stomatitis. As the 

 disease is contagious separation of the affected from the 

 healthy is indicated. 



Mycotic Stomatitis of the Ox. — Definition. — This is a non- 

 infective inflammation of the mouth, muzzle, skin of the 

 region of the coronets and sometimes of the udder and teats 

 which occurs in cattle on pasture. It is characterized by the 

 formation of minute vesicles and later ulcers which usually 

 readily heal. 



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