Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1906-11-02
STOMATiTIS

OlVuAiiii0
The term "Stomatitis" signifies
all inflammation Of the mouth. All
domestic animals are subject to this
condition from varying causes; the
occasion for this article however.
being the severe and widespread
outbreak now existing among cat
tie throughout central and eastern
Virginia.
Causes: These may be classed
as mechanical, chemical microbian
and other irritants { Law Injuries
to the mucous membrane are fire.
quently traced to thorns, briars
and other such substances taken in
with the food wounding the men,
blame, making favorable entering
places for heterogeneous, the
action Of which Through their
toxic substance) is to produce in
flammation. Fodder contaminated
with fungi is among the most
fruitful causes; and is the one
which is most probably responsible
for the present serious outbreak.
Aspergillus white Mold), ergot
and puccina Graminis (rust), hav-
ing been found by the writer in the
relative proportions as they are
named; their existence having been
favored by the wet season and ab
sence Of sunlight. Red and white
clover, trefoil, hybrid and purple
clover and alfalfa have all been
known to produce it; though in
most cases such foods have been
the host Of bacterial ferments.
Many other causes might be named
if space permitted: these being in
the writer's opinion the only ones
deserving space here.
Symptoms: These vary accord
ing to the degree Of Inflammation.
At first the animal is noticed to be
dull and gaunt; the early (conges..
tive stage is marked by dryness OF
the mouth and redness OF the
gums, tongue and cheeks, this
stage having passed, ptyalism (pro.,
fuse salvation } becomes a marked
feature; the animal is seen to keep
working the Jaws, causing a smack-
ing noise, with frothy mucous col
Letting abont the mouth. Under
closer examination the mucous
mem brane will be found detached
from larger or smaller patches;
leaving an excessively red and pain
full condition. A disagreeable odor
is also presents frequently, emac ia.
ton becomes rapid, the animal be-
ing unable to feed; marked fever
and stiffness accompanies severer
eases; ami death from starvation
is far from uncommon.
Treatment: Remove afflicted an
finals from such pastures as have
produced it; provide nutritive food
which must be sloppy or soft boil
ed roots, bran and ground oats and
corn made into mashes. Pure wa
ter in abundance is very important.
Among medicinal agents there is
:, large group which gives favora'
BILE results. Probably none can be
selected which will modify the con-
ditions more than freely Washing
out the mouth two or three times
laily with a warm one per cent So
luton creoline, to be followed after
each washing by the following
mixture applied to the denuded sur
faces with a soft swab Of cotton
tied OH a small stick: Chlorate OF
potash 4 ounces; tincture of iron 4
ounces; glycerine 6 ounces; water
1 gallon.
Another wise choice may be
made for the second dressing in
one. halt ounces each of borax and
alum to the quart of water; but re-
moval from the exciting cause, nu-
tritive sloppy food and cleanliness
of the parts are imperative.
John Spencer. Veterinarian.