THE MOUTH.

The subject of the care of the mouth in fever nursing is equally as important as that of prevention of bed-sores. An unclean mouth is not only very unpleasant and often painful to the patient, but is a source of infection. The accumulation of food and mucus is a fertile field for the lodgement of bacteria. If this infected material is allowed to remain, it can easily spread to the middle ear and the mastoid cells, and cause abscesses or be carried by the food to the already overburdened alimentary tract to add to its infection. When the accumulation of sordes is profuse and persistent the patient’s mouth ought to be cleansed after every feeding. This may be done by wrapping a two-inch square piece of linen or gauze, saturated with the mouth-wash, around the little finger and wiping every portion of the cavity—not far enough on back of the tongue to provoke nausea. If it is necessary to clean the throat, a small swab may be employed. For thorough cleaning of the mouth several sponges are necessary. These may be received in a piece of paper and at once burned. While cleaning the mouth of a delirious patient the nurse for her own protection must place some hard substance between the patient’s teeth. A rubber cork is the best, but if that is not available, a fork-handle may be used. Its prongs must be carefully wrapped to avoid an accident. If the cork is used, the nurse must hold it in place to prevent its falling down the patient’s throat. There are numerous preparations used for cleaning the mouth, as:

1.	Listerin,	f℥j;
1.	Water,	f℥ij.

Dobell’s Solution.
2.	Borax,	ʒss;
	Sodium bicarbonate,	ʒiv;
	Listerin,	fʒj;
	Carbolic acid, 95 per cent.,	♏ viij;
	Warm water,	f℥x.

3.	Boric-acid solution,	f℥j;
	Alcohol,	fʒss;
	Glycerin,	fʒj;
	Tincture of myrrh,	f♏ j.

4.	Glycerin,
4.	Water, of each,	f℥ss.

The following three formulæ have been found excellent for special cases:

For Mucus-coated Mouth.
1.	Sodium bicarbonate,	gr. x;
	Glycerin,	fʒij;
	Water, enough to make,	f℥ij.

If the coating be of long standing, thick and dry, this solution may be applied with an applicator every five or ten minutes for one hour, and then the cleansing may be done with sponges. In these cases it is necessary to use a toothpick to gently loosen the sordes between the teeth.

For dry or fissured lips and tongue, and for anointing the baby’s nose, the following will be found useful:

2.	Lanolin,
	Vaselin, of each,	ʒj;
	Oil of gaultheria,	♏ xxx.
	Apply small quantity several times daily.

In rare cases there is a persistent bleeding from the gums. The application, several times daily, of the following solution is effectual:

3.	Tincture of myrrh,	♏ xxx;
3.	Water,	fʒj.

Mouth-Wash.

A solution of potassium chlorate and cinnamon water.