DIGESTIVE APPARATUS. 14? 



In examining the mouth the following should be ob- 

 served : 



The temperature is elevated in fever and in local in- 

 flammations of the mucous membrane, stomatitis and in 

 pharyngitis. 



Secretion of Saliva. Secretion is diminished 

 in all acute febrile diseases, severe intestinal affections, and, 

 as a rule, in colic. 



An abnormal quantity of saliva in the mouth 

 results either from the fact that the animal does not swallow 

 the normal secretion (dysphagia) or that an abnormal secre- 

 tion has occurred, as in simple catarrhal or traumatic stoma- 

 titis, diseased teeth, foot and mouth disease, stomatitis pustu- 

 losa contagiosa, malignant catarrh, mycoses, etc. The saliva 

 passes off in the form of clear strands or in the form of 

 foam produced by masticatory movements. In epilepsy this 

 foam is observed at the commissures of the mouth. 



Odor from the mouth. An "insipid sweetish" odor is 

 observed when decomposing food-particles, epithelial cells or 

 saliva in the course of stomatitis catarrhalis, are present. A 

 putrid odor is produced by decomposition of nitrogenous 

 substances. Exudates are present in malignant catarrh and 

 stomacace in dogs. A carious odor is produced by suppura- 

 tive processes in bones, especially in alveolar periostitis. 



Specific morbid conditions. Clamminess of the buccal 

 mucous membrane occurs in digestive disorders (loss of appe- 

 tite) ; reddening and swelling of the mucous membrane with 

 loss of substance is observed after the action of irritants and 

 caustics [chloral hydrate pills]. Simple catarrh is attended 

 with similar but milder symptoms. 



Punctiform hemorrhages occur in morbus maculosus 

 and leucemia. Nodules, pustules and ulcers in stomatitis 

 pustulosa contagiosa. Ulcers on the gums in stomatitis 

 ulcerosa, calf diphtheria, swine plague, mercury and lead 

 poisoning. Blisters in foot and mouth disease, small isolated 



