Digestive Diseases


Digestive Diseases. 135. Stomatitis-Inflammation of the Mouth.

SYMPTOMS.-Patches of redness on the lining of the mouth, which are sore, and from which an exu


135. Stomatitis-Inflammation of the Mouth.

SYMPTOMS.-Patches of redness on the lining of the mouth, which are sore, and from which an exudation takes place.

CAUSES.-Exposure of badly-nourished children to cold; gastric derangements; Measles or other eruptive fevers; or the introduction of hot and acrid substances into the mouth.

TREATMENT.-Kali Chloratum.-Foetid breath, great soreness, and Ulceration of the mucous surfaces of the tongue, palate, and check. We generally administer the IX trituration. This remedy may also be used as a wash for the mouth; eight grains of the Chlorate of Potash to four ounces of water.

Mercurius.-Abundant salivation; swelling of glands.

Ac-Nit. IX.- When concurrent with portal Congestion and the ordinary symptoms of biliousness.

China.-To invigorate the patient when the Ulcerations are healed.

Tannic Acid Gargle.-If used early the affection is often immediately suppressed by a wash of Ac. Tannic (3j. ad. aq. z3viij). The Sulphurous Acid Spray, with the administration of Sulph. and Hep-S., has rendered important service.

ACCESSORY MEANS.-The cause should, if possible, be removed, and if stomachic, the diet corrected. As a rule, the patient’s diet should be restricted for some time to milk, or milk and soda- water, in equal proportions, which is both nourishing and digestible, and may be taken without adding to the patient’s discomforts. Afterwards chocolate or coca may be gradually substituted, and continuously used instead of tea for the morning or evening meal. Good animal broths are also generally required as the disease declines.

136. Thrush (Aphthae) Frog-Sore Mouth.

DEFINITION.-An inflammatory condition, consisting of numerous minute vesicles terminating in white sloughs on the surface of the mouth, and sometimes extending to the whole of the gastro- intestinal mucous membrane, due to the growth of a minute fungoid organism.

SYMPTOMS.-Small vesicles or white specks appear upon all parts of the lining membrane of the mouth, and are sometimes so connected as to form a continuous covering over the tongue, gums palate, and in bad cases even extending to the fauces and gullet; feverishness; pain on swallowing. The neighbouring glands are sometimes swollen and tender. Extension of the disease to the bowels, dark-coloured eruption, and violent Diarrhoea, may arise in severe cases.

CAUSES.- A delicate or tubercular constitution; insufficiency or unhealthy condition of the mother’s milk; or in infants who are fed by hand, an unsuitable quantity or quality of food; acid secretion in the mouth; want of cleanliness; bad drainage, etc. Thrush sometimes occurs during the course of Measles, Enteric fevers, Consumption, and in the diseases attendant upon old age, and forebodes and early fatal termination, because it is then a sign of enfeebled vital energy.

TREATMENT.- Borax has a specific power over this affection, and will alone cure it if limited to the mouth. The mouth may also be washed with a weak solution of Borax (four grains to one ounce of water) in which three or four drops of Strong Carbolic Acid are mixed, by means of a soft brush. Or Borax and Glycerine may be used, half a drachm of the former to one ounce of the latter. The infant will swallow sufficient for a dose each time the solution is used.

Mercurius.-Offensive breath, dribbling saliva, Diarrhoea, gangrenous Ulcers, etc. If administered when the white specks first appear, it is often alone sufficient.

Arsenicum.-Extension of the eruption to the stomach and bowels; dark coloured eruption, having an offensive odour; exhausting Diarrhoea.

Sulphur may follow Arsenicum or any other remedy that does no further good; also when Thrush has nearly subsided to prevent a relapse, and when there are eruptions on the skin.

Bryonia or Nux V.-Gastric derangements, dryness of the mouth, white or yellow mucus on the tongue.

GENERAL TREATMENT.-Strict cleanliness, good ventilation, abundance of fresh, out-of-door air, and suitable diet. The mouth may be cleanses with cold water on a piece of fine linen rag, and emollient fluids infusion of linseed, thin solution of borax and honey, etc., are grateful and useful. Vinegar, Carbolic acid, Sulphurous acid, etc., diluted with water, are also recommended as local applications or gargles, to cleanse the affected surfaces. Sulphurous acid is best applied by means of the spray-producer, in the proportion of one part of acid to ten parts of water; it should be continued for two or three minutes, and repeated once or twice a day. If the Sore mouth be due to ill-health in the mother, the child should be at once provided with a wet-nurse or weaned. In the latter case, if under three months old, the child should be fed with milk and water, or if more than three months old, some good Farinaceous Food may be used in addition.

137. Offensive Breath.

In perfect health, the odour of the breath is sweet and agreeable; on the contrary, foetid breath is usually a concomitant of disordered digestion, Scurvy, malignant Sore throat, etc.; it is also disagreeable and infectious during the progress of the eruptive, enteric, and pestilential fevers; but in no disease is it more offensive than in Gangrene of the lung; indeed, that condition may be recognized by this symptom alone. Sometimes offensive breath arises from neglect of cleansing the mouth and teeth after meals. Of late years much attention has been directed to a disease known as Pyorrhoea. Alveolaris which consists in suppuration of the gums in and near the sockets of the teeth. This disease, when severe, can cause foul breath, and also the constant swallowing of small quantities of pus may give rise to a variety of symptoms. Gastric, nervous and chronic joint affection have been attributed to this cause, and it is always worth bearing in mind as a possible factor in obscure conditions, although often the septic condition may be rather an effect than a cause. Scrupulous cleanliness of the mouth and teeth naturally tends to prevent it, but special dental and medicinal measures may also be required.

TREATMENT.- Carbo Veg. Putrid odour of the breath from decayed teeth, bad condition of the gums, large doses of Mercury, or other causes. A dose thrice daily, for eight or ten days, or as long as may be necessary. Hep-S. or Ac Nit. may follow, especially when Carbo V. is insufficient and when the foetor results from previous mercurial salivation.

Arnica. – When not traceable to any definite cause.

Spigelia. – Offensive breath, perceived only by others, with much white or yellow mucus in the mouth, and throat; the back part of the tongue is painful, and feels swollen.

Mercurius. – Foetid breath from a sore or Aphthous mouth. Pyorrhoea alveolaris.

Nux Vom or Puls – From Indigestion.

Aur or Pulsatilla – In females advancing towards puberty.

Sulphur, morning and night for a week, may follow any of the preceding remedies, and complete the course.

Silicea is excellent for Pyorrhoea and also Phosphorus, and a lotion of Symphytum O, two drachms to eight ounces of water, is a good application to the gums in these cases.

ACCESSORY MEANS. – General attention should be given to diet, the use of water, pure air, regular out-of-door exercise, bathing, and such other hygienic means as are indicated in the first chapter of this Manual. Animal food should only be eaten in moderation; and the teeth and mouth should be carefully cleansed at least twice a day.

Perfumed Carbolic Acid, diluted with water, makes an excellent wash for the mouth for patients troubled with foetid breath, but carbolic tooth powders and pastes are best avoided.

138. – Cancrum Oris – Canker of the Mouth.

DEFINITION. – A sloughing or gangrenous ulcer of the mouth, occasionally occurring in ill-fed, tuberculous children, from two to six years old, especially in low, damp situations.

SYMPTOMS. – The Inflammation generally begins at the edges of the gums opposite the incisors of the lower jaw; the gums are white, spongy, and separate from the teeth, as if Mercury has produced its specific effects. Ulceration begins and extends along the gums until the jaws are implicated; and as the disease advances, the cheeks and lips swell and form a tense indurated tumefaction. The teeth are apt to fall out; and the parts taking on a gangrenous condition, the breath becomes intolerably foetid. There is generally enlargement and tenderness of the submaxillary glands. In severe forms of the disease the destructive process rapidly extends, so that in a few days the lips, cheeks, tonsils, palate, tongue, and even half the face may become gangrenous, the teeth falling from their sockets, a horribly foetid saliva and fluid flowing from the parts (Aitken).

TREATMENT. – Mercurius (often specific in cases not caused by Mercury); Ac.-Mur. (Canker associated with severe disease – Measles, etc.); Ac.-Nit. (from excessive doses of Mercury); Arsenicum (extensive disorganizations, extreme prostration); K. – Chlorum

General Treatment same as prescribed in the previous Section. Strong beef-tea, raw eggs beaten up in milk, and cod-liver oil, are often necessary. Also a lotion of K.-Chlorum

Edward Harris Ruddock
Ruddock, E. H. (Edward Harris), 1822-1875. M.D.
LICENTIATE OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS; MEMBER OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS; LICENTIATE IN MIDWIFERY, LONDON AND EDINBURGH, ETC. PHYSICIAN TO THE READING AND BERKSHIRE HOMOEOPATHIC DISPENSARY.

Author of "The Stepping Stone to Homeopathy and Health,"
"Manual of Homoeopathic Treatment". Editor of "The Homoeopathic World."