CAUSES. – This condition is probably most often induced by the exercise of the organ of voice when in an inflamed state. The disease may also result from an immoderate or irregular exercise of the voice, or it may follow inflammatory diseases of the bronchial tubes or lungs, by much exercise of the voice before recovery has taken place. It is also occasioned by an unnatural style or tone of reading or speaking, as with preachers and military officers.
EPITOME OF TREATMENT. –
1. For the incipient and acute stages. – Aconite, Belladonna, Mercurius (Follicular Tonsillitis, Phyto., Lachesis, Crot.)
2. For the chronic form. Belladonna, Mercurius-Iodium, Calcarea – Phosphorus, K.- Bich., Argentum, Nit., Carbo V., Lachesis, phyto.
3. Clergyman’s Sore Throat. – Phyto., Mercurius-Iodium, Arum., Arnica (after exercise of the voice); Belladonna (Inflammation of the throat).
4. Occasional Remedies. – Apis. (much oedema); Arsenicum (emaciated constitution); Phosphorus (tubercular tendency); Sulph. (as an intercurrent; Arum. (Inflammation of tonsils.)
LEADING INDICATIONS. –
Belladonna. – Besides the symptoms mentioned in the previous Section, Belladonna is well adapted to inflamed throat with bright redness, and much pain on swallowing.
Mercurius Iodium – Less pain than for Belladonna, and chronic cases in tubercular constitutions. See Mercurius -Biniod.
Calcarea-Phosphorus – In relaxed Sore throat this remedy is often used successfully, after others have been fruitlessly employed.
Kali bichromicum – Accumulation of tough, stringy phlegm, requiring considerable effort to eject. Chronic Ulceration.
Argentum Nitricum. – Ulcerated throat of a low type, with foetid breath and foul mucus, and in cachectic patients. A weak solution of the drug may be used as a gargle.
Carbo Veg. – Similar conditions, with Hoarseness.
Lachesis. – Constant irritation in the throat, inducing much hawking, and a choking sensation; there is painful aching, but no deep-seated disorganization, the affection being more of a nervous character.
Hepar Sulph. – In Tubercular constitutions not requiring Mercurius – Iodium Also when the disease is consequent on the abuse of Mercury. Ac.-Nit. is also useful in this condition.
Gargle. – To correct the foul breath sometimes existing, a gargle of Condy’s Fluid should be used. Ac.-Acet. dil cum melle is a useful gargle. Inhalation may often be effectively resorted
to.
The mineral waters of Ems are frequently used in Pharyngitis.
ACCESSORY AND PREVENTIVE MEANS. – 1St. Perfect Rest. The most important is to exercise a sore or an inflamed organ as little as possible. The treatment of an inflamed larynx, like that of an inflamed joint, should include a state of almost complete rest. As a preventive remedy in the case of clergymen, we would strongly urge the general adoption of Monday as a day of out-of- door recreation and cessation from all work, and thus compensate for the great mental and physical expenditure involved in the discharge of the duties of the earnest minister of the gospel on the Sunday.
2nd. The Throat Compress (see Section 28). – When this is applied, the patient should retire, and he will generally have the satisfaction of finding his throat-difficulty much relieved in the morning. In more obstinate cases, the compress should be worn in the daytime, re-wetting it as often as necessary. when discontinued, the throat and chest should be bathed with cold water, followed by drying and friction. However often repeated, the compress never relaxes the throat.
3rd. Cultivation of the Beard. – The beard and moustache should be permitted to grow, as they afford an excellent protection to the throat, especially in the case of barristers, clergymen, pubic singers, and others subjected to the undue or irregular exercise of the organ of voice.
146. – Quinsy (Acute Tonsillitis).
DEFINITION. – Acute Inflammation of the tonsil or tonsils and subjacent mucous membrane, with general fever.
SYMPTOMS. – It comes on quickly, with rapid swelling of one or both tonsils, severe throbbing pain, hoarseness, and difficult swallowing and expectoration, occasioning a painful and almost constant effort to bring up and detach the viscid mucus which adheres to the inflamed surface; Headache; pain in the back and limb; foul tongue; offensive breath; and general febrile symptoms. The morbid action generally extends to the uvula, which, becoming swollen and elongated rests on the base of the tongue, and gives rise to an unpleasant sense of titillation. If the disease be promptly and skilfully met, the inflammatory symptoms subside in a few days, leaving the tonsils enlarged; otherwise, suppuration ensues, indicated by rigors, and throbbing, darting pains in the throat, extending to the ears. When the abscess is fully mature, it ruptures, to the immediate relief of the patient. Often the Abscess forms on one tonsil, and after its discharge another forms on the other.
CHRONIC ENLARGEMENT OF THE TONSILS. – Repeated attacks of acute Inflammation, or attacks only partially cured, are followed by chronic enlargement and induration, causing difficult swallowing, hoarse voice, noisy and laborious breathing, especially during sleep, affections of the ear, arising from an extension of the disease along the mucous membrane, and extreme liability, from slight causes, to a frequent recurrence of acute Inflammation.
21.
CAUSES. – The predisposing are – Tubercular constitution, abuse of Mercury, and previous attacks of Quinsy. The exciting cause is one of the germs of suppuration, but a sudden atmospheric change, or a chill from getting wet through seems occasionally to be the final factor, lowering the natural resistance and enabling the germ to find a hold. Quinsy is most frequent in plethoric persons, between fourteen and twenty, and for several years is liable to recur unless preventive means are adopted.
DANGERS. – Extension of the Inflammation to the Uvula, soft palate, the salivary glands, pharynx, and particularly to the root of the tongue, with difficult breathing, etc. But early and skilful treatment usually prevent such complications.
TREATMENT. – When suppuration has occurred the abscess should be opened; but prompt treatment sometimes prevents abscess formation.
Aconitum. – Feverishness, headache, dizziness, and restlessness; stinging, pricking, fulness, or even choking, the throat looked as if scorched.
Belladonna. – Bright redness and rawness of the affected parts; flushed face, glistening of the eye, Headache, and pain and difficulty in swallowing. Belladonna may follow, or be alternated with Aconite
Mercurius Biniod. – Swollen throat; copious accumulation of saliva; swelling of the gums and of the tongue; shooting pain on swallowing; a disagreeable taste; foetid breath. Ulcers on the side of the mouth; pains from the throat extending to the ear. Profuse perspiration, and nightly exacerbations, also point to Mercurius-Biniod.
Baryta Carb. – If given early, before suppuration can supervene, this remedy will often disperse the engorgement. For this purpose it seems to act best in high potencies, 30 and upwards. It is also useful in chronic Tonsillitis.
Hepar Sulph. – When matter has formed. It is especially useful in the Tubercular, in constitutions injured by Mercury, and when a liability to the disease has become established. In our experience it is more rapidly curative than any other remedy.
Lachesis. – When the left tonsil is affected, and the mucous membrane of a livid colour.
Lycopodium. – Beginning on the right side.
Arsenicum. – Severe attacks, with much general prostration.
Calcarea-Phosphorus and Iod and Guaiacum are also useful remedies.
Nux Vomica or Pulsatilla, when gastric derangements cause, or are associated with, Quinsy.
Administration. – In acute cases, a dose every one or two hours; in sub-acute, every three or four hours; during convalescence, every six or twelve hours.
See also previous two Sections.
ACCESSORY MEANS. – The constant sucking of ice during the commencement of an acute attack moderates the heat and pain; it also checks the secretion of mucus, which gives rise to disagreeable and painful efforts to detach. In severe cases ice may be employed in this manner till the disease has abated. (See Secale 25) When ice is not procurable, or when it is not admissible, as when it has not been adopted early in the disease, the next most effectual local application is the steam of hot water, and equally so whether the object be to bring about resolution or to facilitate the suppurative process. Steaming the throat assiduously acts as a fomentation, and removes the mucus from the crypts and follicles of the tonsils. See Section on Inhalation.
In some cases a warm milk-and-water gargle frequently used, will be found useful and soothing. Further, in severe attacks, a hot poultice should be applied across the throat, extending nearly to each ear; in mild attacks the throat compress (see Secale28) may be used. The patient should remain indoors, and in bad cases in bed. The air of the patient’s apartment should be maintained at a temperature of about 65* or 70*, and be kept moist by the evaporation of hot water from shallow dishes near the bed, but proper ventilation should also be preserved.
LICENTIATE OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS; MEMBER OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS; LICENTIATE IN MIDWIFERY, LONDON AND EDINBURGH, ETC. PHYSICIAN TO THE READING AND BERKSHIRE HOMOEOPATHIC DISPENSARY.
Author of "The Stepping Stone to Homeopathy and Health,"
"Manual of Homoeopathic Treatment". Editor of "The Homoeopathic World."