es
to be so until the saliva becomes plentiful. After this we
usually find it coated in disturbances of the stomach and bowels
and in nearly any disorder accompanied by fever. In scarlet fever
the tongue becomes bright red after a few days, and in measles
and whooping cough it is often faintly bluish. In the latter
affection an ulcer may sometimes be found directly under the
tongue, where the thin membrane binds it to the floor of the
mouth. In thrush the tongue is covered with white patches like
curdled milk. A pale, flabby tongue, marked by the teeth at its
edges, indicates debility or impaired digestion. In prolonged or
very high fever the tongue grows dry, and in some diseases of the
stomach or bowels it may look like raw beef.

Grinding of the teeth is a frequent symptom in infants in whom
dentition has commenced. It generally indicates an irritated
nervous system. Most often this depends upon some disturbance of
digestion; less often upon the presence of worms. The symptom is
present during or preceding a convulsion, and may occur, too, in
disease of the brain. In some babies it appears to be only a
nervous habit.

NURSING

The manner of nursing or swallowing frequently affords important
information. A baby whose nose is much obstructed or who has
pneumonia can nurse but for a moment, and then has to let the
nipple go in order to breathe more satisfactorily. If it gives a
few sucks and then drops the nipple with a cry, we must suspect
that the mouth is sore and that nursing is painful. If it
swallows with a gurgling noise, often stops to cough, and does as
little nursing as possible, we suspect that the throat may be
sore. The ceasing to nurse at all, in the case of a very sick
baby, is an evidence of great weakness or increasing stupor, and
is a most unfavorable symptom.

THE URINE

Urine that is high-colored and stains the diaper, or that shows a
thick, reddish cloud after standing, may accompany fever or
indigestion. Sometimes the urine under these conditions is milky
when first passed. In some babies a diet containing beef juice or
other highly nitrogenous food will produce the reddish cloud, or
even actual, red, sandlike particles. A decidedly yellow stain on
the diaper occurs when there is jaundice. A fain