This affection is known by great swelling of the tongue, tenderness and difficulty in swallowing. It generally accompanies severe salivation, but it may occur in an acute form independent of this cause.

In convulsions the tongue is often bitten and severe inflammation follows. The disease may run a rapid course and abate without the formation of "matter;" on the other hand, abscesses may form under the tongue, sufficient in size to threaten suffocation.

Treatment

The bowels should be freely acted upon by aperient medicine. Applications of ice or ice water made continually for hours promise relief. Chlorate of potassa or borax should be added to the water making a strong solution. If suffocation is threatened, a surgeon should be called to make an incision in the seam running along the middle of the tongue on the under surface.

In event abscesses form, they should be opened when the proper stage is reached. A skilled hand alone should undertake the operation, or severe hemorrhage may result.

The food must necessarily be liquid and concentrated. A cup of milk into which has been beaten a raw egg may be given every three or four hours as the need of support is apparent.

In exceptional cases the amount of swelling will be sufficient to prevent swallowing; rectal feeding must then be depended upon. Injections of beef tea and extracts, milk, eggs, etc., should be administered.