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Sore Throat - Pharyngitis.If the inflammation extends low down into the throat, there usually occurs a short, dry cough; yet so long as the disease does not reach the larynx, the voice is not affeicted, though in the majority of cases the larynx is involved in the inflammation resulting in hoarse ness. The tonsils, also, are usually involved in the inflammation, and their surface presents white spots of thickened mucus. These white specks are not ulcers, as is usually believed, but merely the thickened secretion from the mucous membrane. There is usually a slight degree of fever attendant upon such an attack, though the constitutional disturbance is not sufficient to prevent the patient from attending to his usual avocation. The disease subsides spontaneously in a few days, though it is apt to recur again upon s'lighter provocation than before, and, indeed, frequently assumes a chronic state. The treatment consists of mild gargles, such as a solution of chlorate of potash, or a little glycerine may be taken into the mouth at short intervals. Chronic Pharyngitis is a frequent result of the acute form of the disease. After the first attack of acute pharyngitis, the throat will entirely recover its usual condition, but after repeated attacks there remains a permanent condition of inflammation. In this con dition the mucous membrane is reddened and thickened, and often presents on its surface a number of little projections, which are called grci7inlations. In other cases the mucous membrane of the throat is smooth, dry and glazed, looking almost as if it had been varnished. In the latter case the patient complains of dryness of the throat, and frequently experiences unpleasant sensations upon swallowing. In other instances the throat is constantly covered with thick, stringy mucus, which is especially recognizable by the patient upon awakening in the morning. In most cases of chronic pharyngitis there occurs, sooner or later, an extension of the inflam mation to the larynx, causing a hoarseness of the voice upon slight exertion in speaking or reading. This form of pharyngitis occurs, therefore, with especial fre quency among public speakers, particularly among clergymen, from which fact it has been called clergyman's sore throat. Yet it does not seem to be proven that this affection results from over use of the voice, for chronic pharyngitis is really not more common among clergymen than among others of sedentary habits. It is especially common among business men, bookkeepers, salesmen, etc., who are habitually confined many hours a day in close rooms. Such patients also not infrequently suffer from other ailments - dyspepsia, general debility and palpitation of the heart. Yet one point should be mentioned to correct a popular misapprehension : there is no tendency to consumption - as is generally supposed - in a chronic pharyngitis ; indeed, it would seem that the subjects of this chronic sore throat rarely become tuberculous. One of the most serious effects of chronic pharyngitis is the impairment of hearing which so frequently occurs. This results from the fact that the bony channels leading from the throat to the ears (the eustachian tubes) are very small, and the orifices leading from them into the throat become closed by the thickening of the mucous membrane ; if the air cannot pass readily through these channels the hearing is apt to become impaired. Furthermore, the inflammation itself may extend along these eustachian tubes into the ear, and thus aggravate the impairment of hearing. Hence it has come to pass that patients who complain of deafness are regu larly examined to see what the condition of the mucous membrane in the throat is. The treatment of chronic pharyngitis must usually consist in improving the patient's sanitary surroundings ; thus a clergyman will rarely be relieved of the disease until he seek recreation away from his usual round of duties. Yet while reliance must be chiefly placed upon the improvement of the general health, certain benefits can be derived from the application of medicines directly to the inflamed mucous membrane of the throat. These applications can be made either with earners hair brush or with a fine atomizer; in either case, care should be taken to apply the remedy not only to the sides and back of the throat and to the tonsils, but also to the top or roof of the pharynx ; this is situated behind and above the soft palate, which hides it from view upon ordinary inspection through the mouth. The medicines used for this purpose may be alum, tannin, or iodine. Any one of the following prescriptions may be employed : Iodine, ------ Ten grains. Glycerine, -, - -' Water, ------ Each one ounce. To be applied as a spray or with a brush. Tincture of the chloride of iron, Glycerine, ----- Each one ounce. Or, Alum, ------ Two drachms. Tincture of myrrh, - One ounce. Glycerine, - - - - - Water, ----- Each four ounces. This may be used either for application with a brush or as a gargle. If the patient adopt no other measures for relief than these local applications for the throat, it is scarcely probable that imme diate success will be achieved; in such cases it may be well to apply the following : Nitrate of silver (lunar caustic), - - Ten grains. Water, ------ One ounce. Apply carefully with a camel's hair brush. It will be well not to resort to lunar caustic until other measures have had a fair trial. But first, if you want to come back to this web site again, just add it to your bookmarks or favorites now! Then you'll find it easy! Also, please consider sharing our helpful website with your online friends.
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