CHAPTER LXXIV 



DISEASES OF THE MOUTH, THROAT, 

 AND STOMACH 



General remarks — Oral infections — -Thrush — Gingivitis — Lingual affections — 

 Ilalzoun — Tonsillar affections — • Gastric diseases — Earth-eating — Bel- 

 yando spew — Entala9ao — References. 



GENERAL REMARKS. 



In this chapter we make some remarks concerning the diseases of 

 the mouth and the stomach, which we will preface with a few general 

 statements concerning the intestines, as this is the most convenient 

 place for so doing, though we describe the more important diseases of 

 these parts of the alimentary canal in separate chapters. 



External hernia is common, but internal hernia is rare; we have 

 only met with one example, and then of a most unusual form, the 

 displacement being through a rupture in the transverse mesocolon, 

 forming a hernia into the lesser sac. This hernia probably took 

 place through the recessus intermesocolicus transversus (Broscke). 

 Intussusception and volvulus are known, as well as intestinal 

 obstruction due to bands, and we have met with one unique case 

 of fatal intestinal obstruction in a native found dead, caused by the 

 compression of the rectum against the pelvic wall by an enormously 

 distended bladder, which. we had not thought to be possible. 



Cancer of the bowels is by no means uncommon. Tuberculosis of 

 the bowel is generally secondary to tuberculosis in some other 

 regions, but we have seen primary tuberculosis. Appendicitis is 

 quite common in both Europeans and natives, and is caused by 

 bacteria acting either directly, or introduced by the action of 

 Trichuris and Ascaris. Appendicitis of schistosomic origin has been 

 recorded by Mursell. 



In previous editions we called attention to the frequency of 

 intestinal sand. The true intestinal sand of animal origin composed 

 of dark grey or colourless gritty particles, and largely composed of 

 lime salts, is occasionally met with, but far more common is the 

 so-called pseudo-intestinal sand composed of undigested remains of 

 vegetable food (bananas, etc.), which may become encrusted with 

 earthy salts. Delgado Palacios has called the condition ' fsecal 

 sarcoma.' In these cases there may be diarrhoea and colicky 

 pains. 



1739 



