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.
Thrush, in Horses. See Frush.
THUNDER, a loud noise occasioned by the explosion of a flash of lightning, that is re-echoed from the inequalities on the surface of the earth, and frequently forms a continued rolling or rambling sound.
Various theories have been proposed by naturalists, to account for this grand and awful phenomenon; but, like that of lightning, it is now generally understood to arise from electricity.
Thunder is frequently productive of beneficial effects on animal and vegetable nature; as its violent concussions contribute to disperse the noxious vapours collected in the atmosphere, during sultry and dry summers: it may also be regarded as a prognostic of the weather. Bradley remarks, that frequent thunder, without lightning, is generally followed by tempestuous winds; but, in the contrary case, it predicts copious and sudden showers.
With a view to prevent fatal accidents, during violent thunder-storms, the erection of Conductors has been strongly recommended.—For the same purpose, the electrical Kite, described under that head, may be usefully employed; but it requires to be managed with great precaution: we shall therefore state the most proper manner of directing it, on these occasions.
After having constructed the electrical kite on the principles laid down vol. iii. pp. 51-53, it will be necessary to erect a pole or beam,
