Vesicular glossitis, usually unilateral and most frequently right-sided, has been described by Paget,46 Stoker,47 Barker,48 Hill,49 and De Mussy,50 and doubtless by others.
46 Lancet, March 11, 1865; Clarke, op. cit., p. 88.
47 Dub. Journ. Med. Sci., May 1, 1876, p. 401, illustrated.
48 Lancet, Nov. 22, 1879, p. 764.
49 Brit. Med. Journ., Oct. 7, 1882, p. 683.
50 Gaz. hebd., June 22, 1883; Med. News, Aug. 11, 1883, p. 151.
SYMPTOMATOLOGY, COURSE, DURATION, TERMINATIONS, COMPLICATIONS, AND SEQUELÆ.—Dryness of the tongue, stiffness, heat, and pain—the latter especially during movements of the organ in deglutition and in articulation—are the prominent subjective symptoms of acute superficial glossitis. There are rarely any marked symptoms of febrile disturbance unless the disorder is about to undergo extension into parenchymatous glossitis.
DIAGNOSIS.—Redness of the tongue, prominence of the papillæ, slight enlargement, perhaps bearing impressions made by the teeth, and pain or sense of impediment on movement, are the main diagnostic features of superficial glossitis.
Vesicles indicate the vesicular variety of superficial glossitis; irregular whitish patches, the psoriatic variety; and hard, horny patches with intervening fissures, the ichthyotic variety. A superficial circumscribed glossitis attending the local ulcerations of syphilis, tubercle, and epithelioma is differentiated by the clinical history of the case.
TREATMENT.—In ordinary cases the treatment described under catarrhal stomatitis suffices, so far as local measures are concerned. The gastritis or gastro-enteritis requires appropriate attention, as does any systemic malady under which the patient may be laboring. Demulcent and astringent lotions may be applied by douche, spray, or gargle. Local applications of weak solutions of iodine have been recommended. In cases of considerable severity, and especially when there is reason to expect extension into the deeper tissues, superficial scarification of the dorsum of the tongue is advisable.