MUMPS (syn. Cynanche parotidaea, parotitis; also "The
Branks"), a specific infectious disease characterized by inflammatory
swelling of the parotid and other salivary glands, frequently
occurring as an epidemic, and infecting mostly young
persons. The name "mumps" (O. Eng."to mump," meaning to
sulk) originated, no doubt, in the patient's appearance. The
disease generally sets in with symptoms of a cold or catarrh
accompanied with slight febrile disturbance; but soon the
nature of the ailment is announced by the occurrence of swelling
and stiffening in the region of the parotid gland in front of the
ear. The swelling speedily increases in size and spreads downwards
toward the neck and under the jaw, involving the
numerous glands in that locality. The effect is to produce
much disfigurement, which becomes still greater should the
inflammation spread, as often happens, to the glands on the
other side of the face and neck. Pain is present in the swollen
parts, but it is seldom severe, nor is there much redness or
any tendency to suppuration. There is, however, considerable
interference with the acts of mastication and swallowing. After
continuing for four or five days, the swelling and other symptoms
abate, and the parts are soon restored to their normal condition. During the period of convalescence there occasionally occur some swelling and tenderness in other glands, such as the testicles in males (orchitis). and the mammae or ovaries (oöpheritis) in females, and possibly involvement in the pancreas, but these are of short duration and usually of no serious significance. Mumps is in general a mild disease, and requires little treatment beyond a gentle laxative, the application of warm fomentations to the swollen and painful parts, the use of soft food, and rest.