14 AFFECTIONS OF THE LARYNX. 



brine is also nebulized in appropriate closets, after the method of Sales- 

 Giron. In Rehme (Oeynhausen), a salt-spring, there is an excellent 

 spray-bath. At Kreutznach, Reichenhall, and Ischl, besides the spray, 

 the warm steam generated by the boiling brine is also inhaled. This 

 contains less salt than the spray of the salt-works, and inhalation hall 

 Whether, and how, inhalation of the brine-spray acts as a remedy for 

 laryngeal catarrh, is still a question. Many patients, especially those in 

 the closets, complain of pain in the eyes, and contract a conjunctivitis by 

 the same process, whereby they hope to be relieved of laryngeal or bron- 

 chial disease, a fact which has many analogues, should further experience 

 pronounce in favor of inhalation of brine in chronic laryngitis. In pro- 

 posing the inhalation of brine in this disease, the fact that it contains 

 iodine and bromine has also been borne in mind. The momentary relief, 

 obtained by the patient during, and for a short time after, inhaling, is 

 attributable simply to the liquefaction of the mucus in air-passages by 

 the nebulized liquid, whereby, in the narrowest sense of the word, the 

 cough is rendered " looser." At Ems the thermal gases, and at the sul- 

 phur springs, the vapor of the richly sulphureted waters, have recently 

 been similarly inhaled. With regard to the latter, it may be remem- 

 bered that even Galen recommended an abode near Vesuvius to the 

 " phthisical," that they might respire the moist sulphureted vapor as it 

 rose. 



The diet for chronic catarrh of the larynx must be similar to that for 

 the acute ; salted articles, indeed, particularly the roe of a herring taken 

 fasting, are in especially good repute. 



Besides allaying the cough, the symptomatic indication calls for a 

 means of promptly relieving the nocturnal paroxysms of dyspnoea above 

 described. To apply leeches to the throat, though often done, is useless. 

 The repeated application of a sponge dipped m hot water to the throat, 

 until the skin grows red, the exhibition of copious draughts of hot 

 liquid, and, above all, the administration of an emetic, are often indicated 

 and frequently are of surprising efficacy. As an emetic, ipecacuanha, 

 or tartar emetic, is to be preferred in these cases to sulphate of copper, 

 and should be given in efficient doses (best according to Hufeland, 

 pulv. rad. ipec. 3 j, ant et pot. tart. gr. j, scillae. oxymel 3 iij, aqua 

 | j ss; shake well, a teaspoonful every ten minutes). 



Should the paroxysm recur, the emetic is to be repeated. It is a 

 good rule not to let the child sleep too profoundly, but, from time to 

 time, to waken it and let it drink. This will often cause it to expector- 

 ate, and we thus prevent the accumulation and drying up of the secre- 

 tions in the rima glottidis. 



