CHRISM, a mixture of olive oil and balm, used for anointing in the Roman Catholic church in baptism, confirmation and ordi nation, and in the consecrating and blessing of churches, altars, chalices, baptismal water, etc. (through Med. Lat. chrisma, from Gr. Xpioi.a, an unguent). The consecration of the chrism is performed by a bishop during the High Mass on Maundy Thurs day. In the Orthodox Church the chrism contains, besides olive oil, many precious spices and perfumes, and is known as "muron" or "myron." The "Chrisom," originally a head-cloth to prevent the chrism from being rubbed off a newly-baptized child's fore head, came to mean the white baptismal robe, which was used as the child's shroud if it died within the month, but was otherwise given to the church by the mother at her churching. Children dying within the month were called "chrisom-children" or "chris oms," as in Mrs. Quickly's description of Falstaff's death (Shake speare, Henry V., ii. 3) .