Symptoms. The symptoms consist in loss of appetite, or rather in difficulty in grasping and masticating food, wasting, a certain degree of dulness, and salivation. Somewhat later one often sees appear on the free margin of the upper and lower lips an eruption of small vesico-pustules, which quickly become covered with yellowish-brown crusts and bleed on the slightest touch. The lips swell, become sensitive and painful, so that examination of the cavity of the mouth should be made with care. The mucous membrane is then seen to present a very varying number of greyish-white or greyish-brown points, each of which is due to the destruction of the epithelium and to the production of a pultaceous deposit, which can very readily be removed, leaving uncovered superficial ulcerations, which bleed if very lightly touched. These ulcerations are of irregular shape, and are distributed most freely over the gums, the internal surface of the lips and cheeks. The palate and tongue are only invaded in the last stages. Still later one notes, instead of these ulcerations and as a consequence of abnormalities in the process of repair, reddish-violet turgid vegetations varying in size from that of a millet seed to that of a pepper-corn or even of a small mulberry.
The total duration of the disease varies with its degree of intensity. In favourable cases it may not exceed eight to ten days; in grave cases it continues for fifteen to twenty days. Recovery is usual when the subjects are vigorous and well-nourished lambs, or well-kept sheep, previously free of disease. On the other hand, Moussu has noted a mortality of 15 to 20 per cent. in thin animals of bad bodily condition and already depressed by verminous broncho-pneumonia and intestinal helminthiasis. When the attack is about to prove fatal, complications such as gastro-enteritis, resulting from septic infection or intoxication, and accompanied by fœtid diarrhœa, often make their appearance.
Diagnosis. The diagnosis presents no difficulty, the characteristics of this stomatitis being entirely different from those of the aphthous form. The claws are never affected, and there is no lameness.
Prognosis. In this connection the practitioner will do wisely to avoid committing himself, and to closely study the conditions under which the disease has developed. In all cases the appearance of fœtid diarrhœa must be regarded as of very unfavourable augury.
Treatment. The first precaution to take consists in separating all the healthy animals in the flock, and placing them in a non-contaminated spot.
The diseased are then treated one by one; each day the buccal cavity is washed out with boiled water or with a solution of borax or boric acid. After each washing the ulcerations should be touched with tincture of iodine or with some other rather active antiseptic solution. Finally it might be useful, and would be of value, to add to the gruel or water a small quantity of common salt and of salicylate of soda at the rate of 15 grains to the pint.
GENERAL CATARRHAL STOMATITIS IN SWINE.
Causes. “Swine suffer from simple stomatitis when exposed to thermal, mechanical, or chemical irritants. Such irritants comprise food that is too hot, or is hard and fibrous, or which contains spikes and awns, capable of entering and irritating gland ducts or sores, or food which is fermented or putrid, food or medicine of an irritant character. The habit of catching and holding swine with a running noose over the upper jaw, and the forcing of the jaws apart with a piece of wood in search of the Cysticercus cellulosa are further causes. In several specific infectious diseases inflammation of the mucous membrane, with eruption or erosion, is not uncommon. This aphthous fever is marked by vesicular eruption, muguet by epithelial proliferation and desquamation, hog cholera and swine plague by circumscribed spots of necrosis and erosion. Patches of false membrane are not unknown, and local anthrax, tubercle, and actinomycosis are to be met with. Inflammation may start from decaying teeth.”
“Symptoms resemble those in other animals, refusal of food, or a disposition to eat sparingly, to select soft or liquid aliments, to swallow hard materials half chewed, or to drop them, to champ the jaws, and to seek cold water. Accumulation of froth around the lips is often seen, and the mouth is red, angry, dry, and hot, and exhales a bad odour.”
“Treatment does not differ materially from that adopted in other animals: Cooling, astringent, antiseptic lotions, honey and vinegar, and in case of spongy or eroded mucosa, tincture of myrrh daily or oftener. Soft feeding, gruels, pulped roots, ... and clean water should be constantly within reach. In case of ... indigestion a laxative, followed by vegetable tonics, will be in order.” (Law’s “Veterinary Medicine,” Vol. II. p. 17.)