Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 14.djvu/103

* MOUTH. the clams and other lamellibranchs there are special organs of sense, known as labial palps, on each side of the nunitli. Iiut tlieic is no tongue, while in all other niollusks a tongue covered with teeth and known as the laduhi is present. The cephalopods (squids anil the like) have powerful jaws, arranged like the beak of a par- rot, but in all other niollusks the jaws are small and ratliej weak, sometimes three in num- ber, or they may be wholly wanting, as in the hinielliliranchs. In the vertebrates we find the formation of the niDUtli is used by some writers to divide them into two eontrasted groups, the ci/clns'tvmcs or round-mouths, and the r/iiatlioslomcs or jaw- mouths. The roiuid-mouths include only three or four genera, and are characterized by the absence of jaws, the mouth serving as a sucking organ. The surface of this mouth-sucker bears characteristic hnrny teeth. All the other ver- tebrates are gnathostomes, provided with verti- cally moving upper and lower jaws, one or both of which, excejit in liirds. turtles, and some whales, bear teeth. There are also a tongue and various glands, notably the salivary glands. True lips, provided with muscles, are characteristic of mammals, but are also found in dipnoid fishes. In many mammals the sides of the buccal cavity — that is, the space outside the jaws — are en- larged to form cheek-pouches, of tise as food reservoirs. The origin of the vertebrate mouth has been a matter of much discussion, and is closely associated with the still more funda- mental question of the origin of the skull. Ap- parently, however, the jaws arise as modifica- tions of the first branchial arch, which becomes divided into two parts, the pro.ximal giving rise to the quadrate bone, which gives rise to an anterior process, forming a sort of primary upper jaw; the distal part is the cartilage of Jleckel, the basis of the lower jaw. See Teeth ; Tongue ; Gland ; Skull. MOUTH, Di.sEA.SES OF THE. From its situ- ation at the portal of the digestive tract, the mucous membrane lining this cavity is peculiarly exposed to many forms of irritation and infec- tion. The following are the principal forms of inflammation of the mouth, or slntnatitis (Gr. stoma, the mouth), as it is termed by iiosol- ogists : (1) Acute catrirrhal stomatitis, which may ex- tend over the mouth, including the tongue, or may occur in limited areas, is seen in children, associated with dentition or gastro-intestinal dis- turbances, .and in adults following excessive smoking or the taking of hot or too highly seasoned food. It is a frequent concomitant of indigestion and febrile diseases, but is more com- monly a comj)lieation of other disea,ses than an original afTection. In ordinary eases a simple mouthwash composed of a solution of borax and honey, and gentle catharsis, will eflfect a rapid cure. (2) Parasitic stomatitis, a diffuse infiamma- (ion with the formation of patches of false mem- brane, is caused by a fungus — the siicctuiromiircs albicans. It occurs most commonly in young children, and is described under its popular name. Thrush. (.T) .phtJwiis stomatitis, also known as fol- licular or vesicular stomatitis, is an inflamma- tion of the f(dli(les of the mucous membrane, and is described in the article Aphth.'B. 77 MOVABLES. (4) Ulcerative stomatitis, sometimes called fetid stomatitis or putrid sore mouth, generally occurs in cliildren after the first dentition, and is associated with defective hygienic and sanitary conditions. The ulcerative process begins usually at the margin of the gums and extends along the gum lines of the jaws. The bases of the ulcers are covered with a grayish-white adherent membrane. The swelling of the adjacent parts is often so considerable as to be apparent ex- ternally. There is a copious (low of saliva, and the breath is very ofi'ensive. The ulceration may continue for weeks, or even months, hut always yields to treatment. The felirile symptoms and the constipation which are usually present mast be combated in the ordinary way. Perhaps the best general method of treating the disease is by the administration of small doses of chlorate of potash, and by frequently washing the mouth with a weak tepid solution of chlorinated soda. (5) tlangrcnous stomatitis, or cancrum oris, is tlie most severe form of stomatitis, and occurs as a rule in feeble children lietween (wo and five years old during convalescence from the acute fevers. It is characterized by a rapidly pro- gressing gangrene, beginning on the cheeks or gums, resulting in extensive destruction of the soft tissues, at times even invading the jaw- bones. The constitutional disturbance is great and the prostration extreme, and the case u.stially terminates in death. Treatment is tinsatisfac- tory. Early destruction of the ulcer by the cautery, careful nourishment, and free stimula- tion may arrest the disease. (6) Mercurial stomatitis and other diseases of the mouth are noticed in the articles Salivation; Scurvy; Tongue. MOUTON", m<3o-ton', Alexander (1804-8.5). .u Aiiurican politician, born in what is now Lafaj'ette Parish, La, He graduated at George- town College (D. C. ), studied law. and was admitted to the bar in 1825. In 1820 he was elected to the Lower House of the Legislature, and was Speaker in 18.31-.'i2, He was a Presi- dential Elector in 1S28, IS.Si, and 18.Sfi. and in 18.37 was elected to the I'nited States Senate. He resigned in 1842 to accept the nomination for Governor of Louisiana, was elected, and served from 1843 till the adoption of the new Constitution in 1846. He was president of the Southwestern Railway Convention in 1853 and a delegate to (he National nemocratic conventions in 1850 and 1800. In 1801 he presided over the convention called to consider the question of seceding from the Union. He then retired to his plantation, where he spent the remainder of his life. MOVABLES (OF. morahle. mnitrahle. Fr. moiirahlr. from Lat, movere, to move). Such subjects of ]iroperty as can be transported from one place to another without injury, and which cannot be classed as real property. The term is used as contradistinguished from things im- movable, or real property, but is employed in a nairnwer sense than the term personal jiroperty, which includes many subjects of property rights which are not real estate, and yet which cannot be said to he capable of being moved or trans- ported in (he strict sense, as choses or rights of action and growing crops in some cases. In Scotch law. the word movables is used as contradistinguished from heritable property, and