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lum was attacked with measles. Although it survived the at-
tack and course of measles, yet after this it was but the wreck
of vitality : so exceedingly depressed were the powers of this
child's system, that before the attack of the cancrum oris, a
slight scratch upon the finger induced an inflammation which
was not arrested until the finger was mortified and sloughed
away to the second joint. Another fact in proof of our
foregoing position is, that this disease is most apt to supervene
soon after the conclusion of febrile diseases, so much so that
when a child is recovering from fever, &c. the nurses are es-
pecially directed to notice its mouth. Another fact in cor-
roboration of our principle is, that this disease forms, as says
Dr. Coates, " the principal source of anxiety and trouble
during the winter season." At this season the vital energies
of children, and especially of those of the poor, are more
depressed than at other seasons of the year. I forbear to
mention any more particulars which might be noticed of the
predisposing causes, except in the treatment of fever, the
free use* of mercurial medicines, which, if exhibited to any
extent, always render the gums and lining membrane of the
mouth, &c. more or less morbidly irritable. See case of
this kind in notice of disease of the maxilla by Koecker.

Exciting Causes.

One uniform fact, with one or two rare exceptions, asserted
by Dr. Coates, and admitted by all others who have spoken of
this affection is, that it commences upon the gum, around the
necks of some of the teeth, usually some of the incisores,
thence passing along the tooth to the alveolus and neighbor-
ing parts. We have noticed the vitiated state of the consti-
tution, and that even a slight scratch might be, and was pro-
ductive of gangrene. We are now prepared to assert that