256 HEALTH AND DISEASE 



noisy, the body temperature is raised, the pulse quickened, and marked 

 constitutional disturbance exists. After maturing, the abscess breaks 

 either outwardly or inwardly, in the latter case discharging the matter 

 (pus) through the nostrils, when the patient experiences immediate and 

 obvious relief. 



Treatment.- -The course to be adopted in dealing with this disease 

 will depend very much on the severity of the attack. In a large number 

 of instances a short course of warm, sloppy diet, enjoined with a few days' 

 rest and careful nursing, is all that is required to bring about recovery. 

 If, however, the attack assumes an acute character, then treatment must 

 be of a more active kind. Here applications to the throat, both exter- 

 nally and internally, will be necessary. Outwardly a mustard poultice, or 

 flannel bandages wrung out in hot water and frequently renewed should 

 be resorted to, while hot vapour is conveyed to the inflamed part by 

 inhalation from a nose-bag containing bran, or what is better, sawdust 

 saturated with boiling water. A little electuary, composed of extract of 

 belladonna, nitrate of potash, and treacle, should be deposited on the tongue 

 four or five times a day by means of a stick. The patient will suck it 

 in, and in this way the throat may be anointed and soothed without 

 subjecting him to the annoyance and excitement of drenching. 



In all cases of this kind the bowels should be gently moved. For 

 this purpose 2 to 4 ounces of sulphate of magnesia may be given in a 

 feed of scalded bran, and repeated at intervals of twenty-four hours three 

 or four times if necessary, or it may be given in the drinking-water if the 

 patient prefers that mode of taking it. Where outward swelling of the 

 throat appears, the part should be freely fomented and poulticed. < hie 

 of two results may be expected to follow this line of treatment: either 

 the swelling will become resolved and disappear, or an abscess will develop 

 in its substance. The latter will be made known by the appearance of a 

 soft, moist, fluctuating spot on some part of the surface. When this state 

 has been reached the abscess must be laid open and its contents allowed to 

 escape. In the event of its " pointing " inwards the matter will, as we 

 have already indicated, pass out by the nostrils. In either case instant 

 relief will follow, and should no intercurrent drawback arise, a speedy 

 recovery may be anticipated. 



At this stage of the disease, treatment must be mainly directed towards 

 improving the general condition and re-establishing convalescence, while 

 at the same time tone must be given to the diseased parts. In the first 

 connection a plentiful supply of good food will be needed, but it is most 

 desirable that it should be judiciously selected and prepared. Scalded 

 corn and chaff with bran, and a little boiled linseed, form a suitable diet 



