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Show 'VINCENT'S ANGINA, OR TRENCH MOUTH By Dr. SOPHIA BRUNSON This is a disease that was quite common among soldiers during the First World War, and has seemed to be quite prevalent since then. It is due to baccilus which can be seen under the microscope. Vincent's Angina prevailed to some extent over the world before attention paid to it until it be-World be-World War I, but had very little came epidemic in the armies during dur-ing that conflict. It attacks the tonsil area and pharnyx, the mouth, gums around the teeth, and occasionally the lips and tongue and cheeks. The patches patch-es are small red areas which turn grey and slough. They finally ulcerate ul-cerate and become covered with yellowish grey membranes which if removed leave a bleeding surface sur-face beneath. The breath has a very disagreeable odor and the inflammation may interfere with mastication and swallowing. The ulcers contain the germs which cause the disease. As to the treatment, while it is always safe to consult a physician once the diagnosis is established the cure is not usually difficult, according to Bloodgood of Johns Hopkins Hospital. He states that Sodium Perborate will cure more than 95 per cent of cases if properly prop-erly used. However, he is probably over-enthusiastic, for some cases prove very resistant to treatment. The method of using the remedy in severe cases requires the assistance as-sistance of one who is trained in its use. Severe cases of trench mouth require very patient and persistent treatment. There is a disease of the mouth called Stomalitis that is character ized by an inflammation of the gums, lips and cheeks that could easily be mistaken by the laity for trench mouth. As a rule, it is easily cured by the use of proper alkaline mouth washes. It is always al-ways well to improve the general condition of the patient by building build-ing up his health. There is a form of Stomalitis due to fungus. It is frequent in children and is due to an improper diet, the fermentation of food and an unclean mouth which produces an acid condition which causes the growth of the fungus. All these diseased conditions of the mouth are far easier to prevent than to cure. |