The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1867-01-31
n. T1n1er On sore Throat.

eSEb01t61ltOe LII huO ktSs1<tN1e
mss from the consideration of diseases Of
the nose to those of the throat.
eSore Throat is familiar term used to
designate all affections of the fauces without
discrimination The fauces, or throat, is
that cavity. above and behind the root of
the tongue which is seen ON directing the pa
tient to open wide his mouth. It is about
four inches in length. and comprises the
whole space from the base of the skull to
little below and behind the opening of the
windpipe. 1t has seven openings communl-
eating with it. The two posterior mares
above. which lead to the cavity OF the nose
the two eustaehian tubes at each side, lead
ing TO the ears and below, in front, are the
soft palate, uvula, opening of the cavity OF
the mouth, base of the tongue, tonsils on
each side, epiglotts, and opening OF the
larynx. The lowest portion is contracted.
and opens into the 'Hsophagus, or passage
leading to the stomach.
These parts are all lined by one continuous
mucous membrane, filed with follicles, or
little glands, which, in their healthy con-
dition secrete bland lubricating mucous,
which keeps the surrounding structure soft
and moist; consequently disease COM
mencing in any one part, rapidly communi-
Gates itself to others.
The mucous follicles are liable to infiama-
ton and suspension of their secretion, indu-
ration, deposition of terbucular matter in
the follicles themselves, and enlargement
the last being that form of disease called
"Grannlar Sore Throat" which may be
either acute or chronic, the latter being gen.
orally the result of frequently repeated at.
tacks of the former.
The avula, soft palates, and tonsils, are Ii
able to inflammation, liberation and chronic
enlareements also, but these will be con-
sidered more fully in a subsequent letter.
The varieties of Sore Throat which / shall
notice in this letter are, first common ; second,
the ulcerated third, the gGngren0us, or
| malignant; and fourth, the pseado-D.embrd-
| nous, or Diptheria which will be deferred for
the present, and for the subject of sue
| ceeding chapter.
COMMON OR SIMPLE SORE THROAT fire.
uuently occurs from exposure to cold, and
is marked by difficulty in swallowing, ac-
companied by pain, and heat dryness. Ii the
| throat be now examined it will be found
lyery much con gested, swollen, and of a
bright red color, and (if the disease has pro-
crossed for a few days. partially covered by
small white patches of altered mucus or
coagulated lymph, poured out by the IN
famed follicles. The patient soon gets
boarse from the extension of the disease to
the mucous membrane of the vocal organs,
and it may also affect the bronchial tubes
and lungs producing cough and hurried
breathing on any slight exertion. After a
while the secretion becomes more plentiful
and viscid, which requires frequent efforts
to clear the throat, and, when discharged, it
is sometimes mixed with blood. The chron-
ic form of this disease, or Granular Sore
Throat, as it is generally presented to the
physician, is the result of improper treat
ment, or allowing this affection to cure it
self
It is called granular, because little points
or granulations, are seen scattered over the
surface of the mucous membrane. these
little elevations are caused by the enlarge
ment of the mucous follicles. Most persons
are liable to frequent slight attacks of SIM
pie sore throat from taking cold. These oc-
cur, perhaps, two or three times year, but
appear to pass off without injury to health.
After time, however, the patient becomes
conscious of vexatious Utilization, produ-
cling a desire to clear the throat several
times in the course of each day. He may
not notice this himself, but it is, neverthe-
less, observed by his friends Some months
later this disposition is found to have in
creased, and to be attended with an occa-
sional desire to swalloW-the patient, to use
his own phrase, feeling something sticking
in his throat On looking into the throat,
under these circumstances, the granulations
before mentioned will be found studding the
membrane, and causing it to appear rough
and uneven. Sometimes they exist In IT
J lregular-shaped patches, but most commonly
as regular in shape, and each one is distinct
When allowed to progress, the mucus foll1
Giles within the larynx soon become affected
and then we have added to the other symp
toms huskiness of the voice in speaking OF
reading aloud, with frequent efforts to cleal
the windpipe, by which thick, sticky
bluish-colored mucus is forced up, with con
siderable difficulty.
limo case should this disease be neglected
for it is exceedingly prone to proceed down
ward slowly, but surely, to the trachea, bron
ichal tubes and lungs, until the patient finds
to his sorrow, that it is but step from the
common chronic affection of the throat tt
confirmed disease of the lungs. -
TREATMENT.-In the common variety O.
Sore Throat, little medical treatment is ne
cessary, except mild opening medicines t.
keep the bowels free, unstimulating diet
and frequently repeated soothing and astrin
gent inhalations and gargles.
: In the treatment of the chronic form o.
Granular Sore Throat, the same course
should be pursued as that prescribed fol
chronic Catarrh. Granular Sore Throat il
purely local affection, and can only bt
cured by local treatment. use the Catarrf
lsyringe and gargles frequently; and wher
the larynx is affected, the inhaling instru
ment, and warm astringent inhalation
morning and evening. These means can al
is inconvenient for him to visit the Office.
Some years ago it became fashionable t.
treat this affection by applying to the dis
eased parts strong solution of nitrate o
silver, or lunar caustic, with a probang o
{ sponge. These applications occasion grea
suffering to the patient, and burn and dis
organize the mucous membrane, withou
. accomplishing the tenth part of the good at
tanned by milder means When the laryn.
!, has become affected, it is both cruel and dan
gerons to force into the delicate organ Q
the voice. designed by nature FOR the receI
ton of air. strong, irritating, fluid caustics
Fully one-half of the cOnsumptive patient
! whose cases have come under nv care ha
] | been previously treated for disease of tn
t throatby these nitrate OF silver application
: and, as they assure us, without any perms
: nent benefit. Indeed, many of them do no
hesitate to attribute the disease of thei
8 lungs to this practice of burning thei
s throats. - 81
There is one rule which experience Ia
j taught me to observe in the treatment OF II
4 famed mucous membranes, and that j
never to apply any remedy so strong as
q produce irritation. All washes should sooth,
: and be followed by q sense of comfort
Slight smarting attends the use of all a
| tringents, but decided pain is sure sig
that the wash is too strong, and ought to b
4 reduced. a strong eye-Wash increases th
inflammation it is meant to cure; and s
also do strong caustics, applied to the throa
i destroy the integrity Of the mucous men
brane, and aggrayate the local disease. Th
more cases thus ignorantly tortured, th
/ greater will be the annual mortality fol
consumption.
Mynext letter viii treat Of Bronchitis.
Your obedient servant,
JANIS HUNTER, NJ d
: No PIT Second street.
MEMPHIs, January Is. 1867.
The American Bible Society printe