(1) Hypersecretion (Ptyalism)

The amount of saliva secreted in twenty-four hours is from two to three pints. Most of this is secreted while eating. When there is a hypersecretion, it is called ptyalism. This is met with in nervous derangements--in some cases of mental disease in those who are starch-poisoned. It is sometimes found in fevers and in smallpox. Where the motility of the stomach is disturbed from adhesions, etc., plyalism is liable to be present. Mental states of fear--fear of sickness, fear of taking an epidemic disease that is raging in a community--will often create ptyalism. The patient, if a lady, will have a handkerchief and spit into it every few seconds, Ordinary ptyalism, that has not been brought on from mental derangement or poisoning by mercury, is usually an indication of an excessive intake of starch; and the treatment, of course, is to stop the use of starch until fully recovered. Where the disease is caused by mental excitement, the cause must be removed.

(2) Xerostomia (Dry Mouth)

This condition is brought on by anger, hate, envy, and spite. Waking up at night with a dry mouth usually indicates mouth-breathing--a bad habit that should be controlled. Tobacco-users often are troubled with dry mouth on awakening of a morning, and the tongue will be red and furrowed. Excessive starch-eating is sometimes indicated by a fissured tongue. The cause must be discovered and removed.

(3) Inflammation of the Salivary Glands

Mumps come under this head. This disease has been treated elsewhere.

Symptomatic Parotitis, or Parotid Bubo, is often a metastasis of disease from elsewhere--a septic inflammation transferred from some other part of the body. Septic inflammation developing in any part of the body is liable to start up this condition. It has shown itself in typhus, typhoid, pneumonia, pyemia, septicemia, etc. A slight infection following abortion may sometimes prove fatal by starting up septic inflammation of the parotid glands. Sometimes this condition accompanies so-called syphilitic infection. This disease has been set up by injuries of different parts of the body--diseases of the urinary tract, alimentary canal, and injuries to the abdominal wall, or peritoneum. The cause is an infection.

The treatment should be cloths wrung out of hot water, frequently changed. When suppuration takes place, the abscess should be given a free opening and not allowed to close too soon. Where the infection is due to pelvic peritonitis, the chances of recovery are very slim. This has been my experience running over a number of years.

Chronic enlargement of these glands may develop from the same causes that develop enlargement of other glands. They may become tubercular, cancerous, or fibrous. A strict letting-alone is the best treatment, along with careful living--careful dieting. Where the glands remain large and show no tendency for growing larger--seem to have arrived at a standstill--they should be left alone.

Enlargement of the salivary, lachrymal, and buccal glands sometimes occurs. In such cases I should expect to find a stomach derangement. If this is corrected, the swelling of the glands will soon pass away.