The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-01-29
Or. Hunter ON Enlargement or enc Tonslls
and Uvula.


To THE EDITOR THE NEw York HERALD:
In my last letter described the proper treatment
Of throat, popularity known "Bronchtis." now
come to speak Of the evils arising from chronic enlarge
msnts Of the tonsils and uvula
or rgE roS.rs.
These glands, which situated at each side Of the
entrance into the throat fauces, nelly liable
10 inflammation from slight es the common
for which Ia "Qninsyn The immediate consequence Of
ment OF the tonsn glands On looking into the throat
when both tonsis enlarged they may be seen
rowing and almost closing the TO the .uces
and appearing precisely like two great balls of flesh ut
ting out from each side The surface OF the glands
der these circumstances is rough and uneven, giving
the appearance several coverings the outer being
broken and assured TO allow the parts beneath 10
be through the irregular openings 5omatmes one
OF the tonsis only is enlarged though more frequently
both.
The effects produced by enlarged tonss the general
health most serious. The articulation becomes i'm
perfectthe speech being thick and cultural In the
child II the enlarged tousils allowed to remain for
years. the defect in the speech becomes perma
trance OF the eus.cnan tubes leading from the upper
part Of the throat TO the ear and by closing them up
deafness. They act constant source OF rri
taton to the membrane of the fauces render
ing the person extremely liable TO throat and
fresh attacks OF quinsy They interfere with the free
wndppe and thus lay the foundation OF disease within
theungs liberation Of the ep,gotts aud chronic Ia
ryngits are also common consequences Of the irritation
produced by enlarged tonsls.
Az consequence Of attacks OF qunsy throat,
the uvua becomes elongated 10 sucn degree as 10 nan
down upon the root Of the tongue, keeping up con
slant tation, and disposition to cough, with desire
to swallow When you see person suffering from any
affection of the throat close the lips few seconds
and make attempts to swallow, you may decide, with
almost certainty that he has either enlarged tons or
elongated uvuia II ia quite useless mako applics-
tons to an ioamed throat while the uvula is allowed TO
hang dangling about the pharynx And it is surprising
hew much not only the comfort but the health also, Is
interfered with BY this simple affection have known
robust and healthy lose, in few months, thirty
pounds of aesh; while bis friends have supposed hn
rapidly falling into pcurable decline The removal
Of the uvula, and exercise in the open air. without
grain Of medicine restored him again to health in few
weeks.
In the treatment of these affections there is bat
course to pursue. The enlarged and indurated parts
must be removed The operation Of removing the uyua
The uvuu is held about its middle, with apair of long,
slender forceps slightly curved at the end. BY this 10
strument II is drawn gently downward and and
then with stroke OF the scissors, is cut off high
up There Is Inconvenience to be apprehended from
the removal Of the entire part, though it is not neces
sary to remove more than one half. No hemorrhage,
beyond few drops OF blood, follows and In aday two
the part is healed 1t is not necessary, In this cass TO
make any applications. Oace removed, the uvua ID not
not reproduced the relief is immediate and die Il.
The removal Of the tons though very simple opera
ton, requires Some persons prefer a knife
having a probe point, and pair of strong for:eps;
others, of toe various tonsil instr ents and
can conceive no sufficient reason except vain display
Of dexterity for preerrng the former to the latter
1t is all very well when the patient is adult, and
has nerve sufficient to enable him to bear toe
union Of safety and CELEBRITY, both Of which are at
tanned much certainly by good instru nent than
by the knife and forceps. The instrument most APP
proved Of by myself is one having open circular
blade protected by ring of steel with simple, straight
stileto, to fx the tonsi Having passed the tonsli
through the ring the statO pressed down, and the
blade drawn up at the dividing that part
OF the tonsil which ia passed through the ring. The
whole is carefully guarded tnat child may close its
mouth, and bite upon the instrum ent, without in
curing the least dagger Of injury The pain attendant
the operation is not worth mentioning and the whole
occupies only few seconds.
In my letter will consider the proper treatment
of "LAryngitis," commonly known az "Clergyman's
sore throat"
have the honor to be, gentlemen, your obedient
servant, ROBERT HUNTER NJ. d.,
Physician for Diseases Of tue Lungs.
s2s Broadway, New York, Jan. I'd, 1855.