MOUTH, DISEASES OF THE, occur in different forms, but usually begin with mation of the mucous membrane. The inflammation may be equally diffused, or may be chiefly or entirely confined to the mucous follicles. 'When diffused, it may either present no peculiar secreted product, or the surface may be covered with a curd-like secretion, or with patches of false membrane. It may further be attended with erup tion, ulceration, or gangrene, any one of which may impress a special character on the disease, or it may present peculiarities from the nature of its exciting cause, as when it accompanies scurvy, or is the result of mercurial action.
The following are the principal forms of inflammation of the mouth, or stomatitis (Gr. stoma, the mouth), as it is termed by nosologists. 1. Common diffused inflamma tion, which appears in reddened, somewhat elevated patches, and sometimes occupies large portions of the surface of the mouth. It is more commonly a complication of other diseases than an original affection. When of the latter character, it is generally caused by the direct action of irritants, as by scalding drinks, corrosive substances intro duced into the mouth, accumulated tartar on the necks of the teeth, etc. In ordinary cases cooling and demulcent liquids (such as cream or almond oil) applied locally, au occasional saline cathartic, with a soft and chiefly farinaceous diet, constitute the whole of the necessary treatment.
2. Diffused inflammation, with curd-like exudation, is almost entirely confined to infants, and is described tinder its popular name of Tunusu.
3. Inflammation of the follicles, and eruption or vesicular inflammation, arc described in the article apthic (q.v.).
4. In ulcerative inflammation, tantrum oris, or canker, an ulceration often of consid erable size, with a grayish surface and an inflamed edge, appears on the gums, or inside of the cheeks or lips. The swelling of the adjacent parts is often so considerable as to be apparent externally. There is a copious flow of saliva, and the breath is very offensive. The disease generally occurs in children from 2 to 6 years of age. The ulcer may con tinue for weeks, or even months, but always yields to treatment. The febrile symp toms and the constipation which are usually present must be combated in the ordinary way. Perhaps the best general method of treating the disease is by the administration of chlorate of potash (4 or 5 grains in sweetened water every 4 hours), and by frequently washing the mouth with a weak tepid solution of chlorinated soda.
5. The preceding affection is sometimes the first stage of a much more serious affec tion, viz., gangrene of the mouth, which usually occurs in children between the first and second dentition. A sloughing ulcer forms upon the gums, or some other part of the month. This slough spreads, the breath becomes extremely fetid, the disease extends to the alveolar processes, and the teeth are loosened and fall out. Inability to take food is followed by exhausting diarrhoea, and death is the usual termination. Unless taken in the early stage, when tonics and the local application of caustics may be serviceable, the disease is generally fatal.
Other affections of the mouth are noticed in the articles SALIVATION and SCURVY.