The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-13
ToNs1LIr1s AND LARYHGIr1s.


slippery and thus aiding in easy swallow
ing. Be that as it may. these almond
shaped glands IN the throat are extremely
sensitive. in some persons, to the influence
of cold, and become painfully swollen. as
many people know who suffer periodically
from tonsilitis. or quinsy. as it was once
called. The symptoms are Xix those OF
all sore Threats, but more marked, involv-
ing the general bodily system more than
other cold diseases of mild form. The
attack comes on suddenly, with but little
premonition, with chilliness and shivering,
followed by marked feverishness. a bound
ing, quick pulse, headache. dryness of the
throat, and thirst. pain and swelling at
the angle of the jaw. and a constant feel
Ing of obstruction in the throat, swallow
ing, even of saliva. being painful. Wher
the tonsils are extremely swollen the throat
is greatly obstructed, so that breathing
is made laborious, swallowing becomes diff
icult, and the voice is mufled and subdued,
since even attempts at speaking cause
great pain. If the disease does not abates
Inflammation may extend to the eustachian
tubes and cause earache and deafness.
The tendency of the Inflammation is toward
suppuration in the tonsils, and when this
occurs the throat becomes more painful.
there is a constant throbbing in the tom
sis. the feverish symptoms increase and
there is more or less depression suggest
ing a state of blood poisoning. Usually.
however. the suppurating tonsils break"
and with the escape of pus the alarming
symptoms decrease and cure results.
Under ordinary circumstances tonsilitis
runs its course in from three to six days,
o-d;o-. -, ,~oa,or r-,A~;5onoa af tho in
fiammation, or by suppuration and escape
of the contained matter. The disease Is
of itself, not serious. and terminates, III
most cases, favorably, but 1t is more serl-
Gus in children since is interferes with
breathing, and, in infants, with nursing.
II the beginning of an attack of tonsil-
litis a gargle of equal parts of peroxide OF
hydrogen and water. freely used every
hou ror two. will Usually check the disease,
and will, at any rate. prevent suppuration
in most cases. a handkerchief, wrung out
in cold water and applied to the throat,
cravat-wise, will often relieve the pain and
Inflammation, but, if cold applications are
disagreeable, hot water or a mustard paste
may be used. Small bits of ice allowed to
dissolve i'm the mouth, frequently, will al
lay the thirst and tickling sensation which
leads to a constant inclination to clear the
throat. Equal parts of glycerin and lemon
ade will also be grateful to the patient for
the same purpose, especially at night, a
glassful being set by the bedside, where 1T
can be easily reached, and a sip TAKEN, now
and then. during the night. A cough drop
or two, occasionally, will also relieve the
dryness and soreness. In all cases of sore
throat, very hot, or very cold drinks, often
slipped, are grateful TO the patient. espe-
cially If they contain mucilaginous sub
stance. A mixture of equal parts OF flax
seed and m~arshmallow root boiled together
and the liquid strained off and ued in max
ing lemonade is such a demulcent, and is
one that will often cure a simple cold with
out other treatment than keeping warm in
bed over night.
A homemade cough candy, by the way,
is made by boiling a pound of rock candy
and a pound of sugar until a drop hardens
brittle in water. Just before removing it
from the fire add two ounces of
%tineture of opium, twenty grains
of tartar emetic, two drachms of
oil of anise and two drachms of
oil of wintergreen. Pour this into a creased
pan and score into half-inch squares be-
$3.50 Ao1NC 1A0 - olOpo SilOulu
be used sparingly and in moderation, espe-
| cially when given to children.
In cases of tonsilitis, as in other forms of
sore throat where swallowing is difficult,
food should take the form of cruel or por-
ridge. with chicken broth or beef tea, if
there is considerable bodily depression. In
spite of all treatment the tonsils will often
suppurate, and in this case poultices should
be applied to the throat, outside, to hasten
the opening of the abscess. Quinine. in
from two to four grain doses, three times
a day, is a good remedy in tonsilitis and
may prevent suppuration, but it should be
given during the process of suppuration, if
not before. A very small amount of tine
ture of aconite, mixed with glycerine, in
much larger proportion, may be painted on
the skin over the swollen tonsils and will
relieve pain and Inflammation. Some ply
sicians believe in the efficancy of calomel in
tonsilitis, claiming that it is a specific
remedy. Be that as it may, a laxative is al
ways of value in all cases of colds and
sore throat. and marked benefit often fol-
lows the use of a powder consisting of
mercury with chalk, two grains; sugar of
milk, thirty grains: to be divided into ten
powders, one Of which is to be taken every
two hours.
AS In all cases or catching cold there is a
marked liability to recurrence of tonsilitis.
each recurrence rendering the person still
more susceptible to other attacks in future.
Each of these attacks leaves the tonsils
in a more enlarged and spongy condition
and a chronic state of obstruction results
which is not only annoying but injurious
to health. In those who use their voices
much. as singers and speakers, this en-
largement OF the tonsils Injuries the voice
and excelsior of the offending tonsils is
indicated as the only relief. If this is not
done the condition may be somewhat bene-
fitted by taking the syrup Of iodide of iron
and gargling the throat, daily, with a
weak solution of alum, or using guaic in
powder or lozenge form, allowing it to
dissolve in the back of the mouth.
Excelsior of the tonsils is more painful
in anticipation than in realization. 1t
causes no serious injury and is but slight
ly painful, the wound quickly healing in
most cases. No injury to health follows
the loss of the tonsils. although there is
a popular but erroneous belief that excelsior
os these glands leads to consumption.
Tonsilitis can hardly be mistaken for
any other throat disease. Externally the
tonsils may be felt as two hard, almond
shaped bodies. painful when touched; and