Noma in the Philippines

ABSTRACT

Noma, or stomatitis gangrenosa, cancrum oris, is not yet rare in the Philippines, as it has become in America and Europe. Forty-two cases of noma are describedNoma is a secondary disease due to bad general condition brought about by diseases such as ileocolitis, measles, tuberculosis, sometimes pertussis and bronchopneumoniaThe mortality of noma is excessively high. It is probable that noma occurs in connection with deficiency diseasesIt is a disease of the preschool age in the PhilippinesThe treatment must be a treatment of the primary diseaseImprovement of nutrition and public welfare will put an end to the disease in the near future.(Summary)