THRUSH, a disorder incident to infants, and of which the following are the principal symptoms: Small whitish or grey pustules appear on the fauces, extending over the surface of the tongue, and adjacent parts; the former is swoln, and the whole assumes a purplish colour: sometimes the pimples are scattered, and distinct, but generally confluent, adhering closely to the membranes: if rubbed off, they speedily grow again, and remain for an indefinite period.
This disease is not confined to the mouth and throat, but in some instances extends to the gullet, stomach, and alimentary canal; quantities of aphthous pustules having been vomited up, and also voided by stool: in these cases, however, the patient is commonly attacked with fever and anxiety, hiccough, and hoarseness.
The principal cause of this malady is a weak digestion, by which the milk becomes coagulated, and unfit for aliment; though it is frequently induced by cold and moisture. The thrush likewise occurs in the course of other disorders, or, in consequence of certain active medicines; but, under these circumstances, it cannot be considered as a primary affection, and mostly disappears, when the patient is in a convalescent state.—The following conditions prognosticate a favourable event: namely, when there is neither fever nor looseness; the deglutition is easy; the appetite returned; and when the pustules are of a white colour.
Cure:—If the thrush be of a mild nature, it will in general be sufficient to administer the following powder to the nurse: Take of calcined magnesia, 1 oz.; orange-peel, sweet-fennel, and white sugar, finely pulverized, of each 2 drams; mix the whole, of which a tea-spoonfnl may be taken in water, twice or three times a-day:—in obstinate cases, it will be advisable to give the child about a third or fourth part of the quantity prescribed for the nurse. During this treatment, the fullowing composition should be applied, with a view to cleanse the mouth: 1 dram of pulverized borax, with 1 oz. of honey of roses. Where costiveness prevails, it will be preferable to regulate the bowels by mild emollient clysters, repeatedly injected, until the desired effect be produced; for, if the pustules should spread over a considerable part of the alimentary canal, laxatives taken by the mouth, are apt to increase the irritation, and to occasion copious stools, tinged with blood.
Where the nipple of the nurse is affected with the thrush, the following solution may be applied with advantage; namely, 2 scruples of borax dissolved in 1 oz. of elder-flower water, or tea, adding half an ounce of honey of roses: the nipples should be anointed with sweet-oil, before the infant is placed to the breast; in order to prevent immediate contact.
As, in some cases, the thrush is situated considerably deeper than the throat, and even within the stomach, great benefit may then be derived from a decoction of carrots in water; or 1 ounce of linseed with 1 pint of water, boiled to the consistence of a thick mucilage, and mixed with 2 oz. of honey: a table-spoonful of the latter preparation may be given occasionally.
In order to prevent this troublesome complaint, infants ought to enjoy a pure air; while the utmost attention should be bestowed on the cleanliness of both child and nurse, by daily bathing and washing with tepid water; which practices remarkably promote insensible perspiration. Farther, the mouth of infants should be frequently washed, especially after drawing the maternal milk, and during the progress of dentition: nor should their bowels be neglected; and, when obstructed, they must be attentively relieved by the use of manna, tamarinds, and other mild aperients.