Thrush.

Otago Witness, Issue 2892, 11 August 1909, Page 76

Thrush.

' Thrush, or parasitic stomatitis, is a disease common in infants who suffer from mdi.- . gestion or malnutrition. It is most com- ' mon among' those who are ill-fed and ill- ! cared for. It is due to the growth in the ! mouth of a fungus which spreads in con- [ genial soil such as is afforded* by the un- ' ■ healthy lining membrane of the mouth, and j is readily conveyed from one child to an- . other by direct contact or by the interchange of comforters or feeding bottle*. It J is rarely seen in children who are fed j ! entirely at the breast. It shows itself in ■ the form of small raised white patches on the tongue, gums, and inside the cheek. ' These patches resemble the flocculi of milk, but are distinguishable by not being easily , ' removed v/ith a brush or piece of linen. ' The mouth becomes sore and tender, and there is consequently often a difficulty in inducing the child to oat food. When thrush occurs a "one-grain calomel powder ( may be given. The mouth should be fre- ■ quently washed out with weak Condy's fluid, and at frerjuent intervals the patches of thrush ehould be touched with finelypowdered borax on a wet camel-hair brush. ' i