BLAIN. 81 
This affection has generally been attributed to improper feeding, neglect, 
exposure, and like influences; but there are good grounds for the belief that 
the real cause in some, if not all, cases is a micro-organism; since the disease 
exhibits a decided preference for certain seasons of the year and occurs in 
epidemics. 
The treatment must be largely local, and powders are preferable to fluids as 
applications, for the reason that they remain longer in the mouth. Dry pow- 
dered sulphur, mixed with an equal quantity of white sugar, acts well, and half a 
teaspoonful of it can wisely be thrown well back under the tongue, three or four 
times daily, after the mouth has been cleaned by sponging. Borax is another 
serviceable remedy when mixed with four times its quantity of white sugar, and 
a “pinch” of goodly size could be dropped onto the sides of the tongue every 
half hour or hour, 
Should these simple measures prove ineffective, it will be advisable to seek 
the aid of a physician, who will rightly first “swab” the ulcers with a solution of 
cocaine, and then cauterize them. After which either of the powders mentioned 
may be used as before. 
Four or five days having passed without improvement, the cocaine and caus- 
tic should be again tried. 
Internal remedies addressed directly to the local trouble are rarely necessary, 
but if indicated, the mixture of chlorate of potassium recommended in Ulcerative 
Stomatitis may be administered. 
Considering the reluctance to take food in sufficient quantity, owing to the 
pain produced, it should be as concentrated and highly nourishing as possible, 
also given at shorter intervals than usual; while if the general health be im- 
paired, tonics must of course be resorted to. 
