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Xerostomia. Presented by Dr. H. J. Templeton.
Miss B. K., aged 59. (Dr. Dorothy Allen's patient), has been annoyed for eighteen months by dryness of the mouth. During the last five months this condition has been so severe as to interfere with deglutition. No lesions are visible in the mouth except that the mucous membranes appear rather dry and atrophic. There is some gastric distress. General physical examination gave negative results, except for suggestion of sinus disease. There is no evidence of pellagra, such as dermatitis or vaginitis. A normal blood count and a high gastric acidity would seem to rule out pernicious anemia. The diet is well balanced. The blood calcium was 9.5 mg. Two hours after a meal the blood sugar was 135 mg. A culture from the mouth and stools showed the presence of Monilia; otherwise the stools were normal. The basal metabolic rate has varied