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160 DENTAL MEDICINE. ;

conjestion of the mucous membrane, with engorgement and
swelling of the mucous follicles, swelling of the tongue, gums,
cheeks, and lips, fetor of breath, heat and dryness of mouth, and
in some cases this is followed by excessive secretion of saliva and
mucus, when the gums often become soft and spongy, and bleed
easily. Vesicles sometimes appear on the tongue, lips, and
cheeks, which leave minute ulcers, with a yellowish centre, and
red margin. Fissures may form at angles of mouth, and upon
the lips, with exudation and the formation of crusts ; but the
pain is not generally severe. The constitutional symptoms are
fever, diarrhoea, thirst, loss of both appetite and sleep.
Treatment.—Correcting the gastro-intestinal derangement by
castor oil, rhubarb, or rhubarb combined with carbonate of soda
attention to the milk, the use of a mild antiseptic solution as a
mouth-wash, chlorate of potash solution, or a weak solution of sul-
phate of zinc or copper. Lime water added to the milk, and a hy-
gienic condition maintained. The following is very serviceable :
R. Pottassii chlorat 7^']
Tinct. myrrh gtt. xx
Elixir calisayse f. ^iij. M.
SiG.— Internally, a teaspoonful in water every four hours.
Locally :
B . Sodii boratis gr. xxx
Mel. purificati f- 3"J
Aquae q. s. ad f- 5 "J- M.
SiG.—To be used as a mouth-wash every four hours, or on a swab.
Peroxide of hydrogen ,5j water eight ounces, is also valuable as
a mouth-wash.
Ulcerous Stomatitis^ common to childhood, is indicated by
ulceration commencing on or near the gums, more frequently in
the lower than in the upper jaw, and usually on one side only,
and spreading over the entire mouth. The gum first becomes
thickened and congested, and of a deep purple color, and bleeds
readily ; ulceration speedily occurs, and exposes the necks of the
teeth, and extends to the mucous membrane of the mouth gen-
erally, the ulcerated surface being covered with a dirty white or
yellow exudation, leaving exposed numerous bright red points on