THRUSH; SPRITE; INFANTILE SORE MOUTH. A disease of early infancy, characterized by the presence of small, romidish, white specks or patches on the lining membrane of the cavity of 1 be mouth and throat, on the surface of the tongue, the angles of the lips, etc. These patches, which are termed aphthce, look like minute drops of tallow o• fragments of curd, and are formed by elevated portions of epithelium covering a drop of serous fluid; and as the dead epithelium falls off, a red, usually a raw, surface is left ex posed. The cause is a fungus, the Oidiunt (or Saccharoniyccs) albicans, which combines with cast-off epithelial cells and with food (milk) to form the spongy, fragile membrane. In thrush crops of these little patches commonly succeed one another, These spots render the mouth hot and tender, in consequence of which the act of sucking is accompanied by difficulty and pain. In association with these local symptoms are in dications of general constitutional disturbance, such as feverishness, drowsiness, sickness, flatu lence, colicky pains, diarrhma, etc. The stools are green and slimy, and not unfrequently acrid, as may be inferred from redness of the anus being a common symptom. The vomited matters
are also green, and have a strongly acid smell, as also has the breath. The complaint some times seems to be the result of improper diet, if the child is being brought up by hand, or of un wholesome milk from a diseased or intemperate nurse; of bad ventilation, etc.; but in some cases the cause of the disease is not evident. The disorder usually lasts eight o• ten days, and is attended with danger only when the local affec tion becomes gangrenous. In older children thrush is an indication of more serious import, appearing in those who are already ill. Nu trition is then still further impaired and the membrane may be a very unfavorable symptom. The treatment is absolute cleanliness of the nursing bottle and nipple. cleansing of the child's mouth with boracic acid and glycerin or a 50 per cent. solution of borax in water, o• a weak solution of potassium permanganate. The diet must be corrected, and sugar must -be withdrawn entirely.