RESPIRATORY APPARATUS. 



113 



and of round form {petechiae, ecchymoses). When they 

 become confluent, the redness is diffuse or appears in irregu- 

 lar streaks. Petechiae are most commonly seen in purpura 

 hemorrhagica, but may also occur in severe anemia 

 (rare) and in leucemia. The spots, which are at first dark 

 red, soon fade and assume a brownish hue. Suffusions are 

 observed in septicemic diseases: anthrax, septicemia. 



b. Swelling of the nasal mucous mem- 

 brane is characterized by the normal surface of the mucous 



Fig. 30. 



Examination of the Mucous Membrane. 



membrane, which is granular from the many glands it con- 

 tains, becoming firm and smooth. As the membrane is 

 usually tense, the swelling is not marked. Its origin is in- 

 flammation, therefore the surface appears turbid. 



Chronic, connective tissue thickenings 

 are most commonly made manifest by irregular, wart-like 

 prominences which show the characteristics of scars. 



c. Wounds in the mucous membrane are usu- 

 ally at the lowest part of the septum, and are very often 

 caused by finger-nails, sharp straws and the like. 



