Inflammation Of The Tongue deserves a brief special notice. We have seen that the tongue takes part in most of the inflammations of the mucous membrane, but sometimes it becomes the seat of a special inflammation of its substance, a true Glossitis. This may occur as a result of wounds or irritations from without, or in the course of such diseases as erysipelas and smallpox. The tongue swells greatly in consequence of the inflammatory infiltration of the interstitial connective tissue, and this sometimes, though rarely, goes on to the formation of abscesses. The muscular fibres are swollen, pale and brittle. Usually the inflammation ends in resolution, but sometimes it becomes chronic, and there may be great increase of connective tissue with permanent induration of the tongue.