"FRENCH MOUTH."

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 14711, 17 September 1918, Page 8

"FRENCH MOUTH."

Tho Health Inspector, Mr F. O York has received tho follow big circular from the District Health Officer, dealing with the disease known as trench mouth: — Vincent's angina or trench mouth: Under the above names is described an affection of the mouth wMch, although known for many years, has . come into prominence Ondy since- the '• commencement of the war. It is exceedingly prevalent amongst the fcoopa m franco, and is on th© increase amongst the civilian pon)iiation of those countries to which soldiers from, the war, j-ou£ are returning. As the disease exhibits a tendency -to become epidemic, it has been deeonjed advisable Ho -pubj-ish a leaflet Betting forth .its nature and the measures which may be adopted to limit its spreads The cause and mode of spread ; Vincent's angina is' highly contagions. It is due to .germ^ wlijc'h gain onlay to the mouth aiid there multiply, producing th*e lesion^ char'acteristio of the disease.,. The contagion, /which is confined to the secretions of the mouth and throat, is readily transmitted from an infected individual to those with whom he associates, cither directly by kissing, or indirectly through the agency of contaminated articles, such as cups, spoonsi, pte. The symptoms..: The-dis-ease begins as an aciute inflammationi of the gums, with or. .without coincident sore throat. The. gums are red, swollen, and bleed readily,; thoy we very .sensitive, and tho taking 1 of, food is intensely painful. In neglected cases, pus -form's round about the necks of the teeth . and the gums -. ulcerate and slough.. While the brunt of the disease fails upon the gums m this way, the other parts of the mouth oo not escape. Ulcers arefrequentily presen/t-, m addition, on tha fnsido of the lips and cheeks, , op m the throat, These local manifestations are not without cifept.on the 'general health. Tho sufferer, is often feverish and fee's huvguid and out of sorts, with the result that his health is lowered and his capacity for work much impaired, Tho treatment' of the disease ; It is important that ©very person suffering from symptoms, as outlined above should immediately Steele tho advieo of a dentist or medjpal . practitioner. If properly treated m the early stages, .speedy reljef a nd.. cure are ensured it neglected, the course pf the disease will be' tedious and chronic- iJWhea.Hh may result,. The precautions to he observed by th© patient : The patient must rnmombor th/it the disease is contagions, ami must exercise all precautions, to prevent the spread of hv ' fgctiou to those with <whom he conies m contact. He must . not hiss others, therefore, nor oat nor drink m hotels and restaurants. The eating and drinking, utensils used by him m his own home ..must he kept separate and disinfected after each meal by boiling. Tho prevention of the disease: Vijioeiit's angina rarely occurs m those with : clean mouth and 1 sound teeth. Careful attention, must, be . given, therefore, to tbjp toilet of the teeth— the tooth -brush, should he used night and morning aiid. the month cleansed' frequently with (fluid, 1

antiseptic washes such as Condy's fluid, peroxide of hydrogen, etc. Defective teeth shfuvldi be iiniiicdiatelv attended 10.