DERMATOLOGY AND ASSOCIATED DISORDERS OF THE MUCOUS MEMBRANES

One of the proper and important functions of the dermatologist is the study and interpretation of disorders of the mucous membranes, occurring either as independent manifestations or in association with cutaneous or constitutional disease. By reason of their continuity with the skin and close structural relationship, consideration of the mucous membranes ought logically to be included in a complete dermatologic investigation, a practice more often omitted than observed. The statement that they deserve investigation is particularly applicable to the oral cavity, in which the presence of lesions of the mucous membranes may serve to clarify the diagnosis of accompanying cutaneous disorders, and at times provides the key for the recognition of otherwise obscure conditions of disease.

Compared with the voluminous literature concerning every feature of the cutaneous expression of disease, that dealing with affections of. the mucous membranes is disproportionately small and is to a considerable extent incidental in character.