474: AFFECTIONS OF THE PHARYNX. 



If called in later, or if the Velpeau treatment has been unsuccess- 

 ful, the energetic use of cold is a rational treatment, whose benefit is 

 proved by experience. We let the patient take ice and cold water in 

 the mouth, and cover the throat with cold compresses, which must be 

 frequently renewed. 



If fluctuation occurs, we should apply warm poultices to the throat, 

 wash out the mouth frequently with camomile-tea, and open the 

 abscess early with the finger nail, or with a bistoury, covered to near 

 the point with adhesive plaster. 



Emetics are not indicated by the disease, and should only be used 

 where the abscess cannot be opened any other way. Laxatives are 

 more advisable, especially where there are marked symptoms of cere- 

 bral hypersemia. 



Purgatives, mustard-plasters, foot-baths, as well as some remedies 

 called specifics (tincture of pimpinella, borax, guaiac), have no effect on 

 the disease. 



In chronic parenchymatous angina, internal remedies are of no 

 avail. As long as the swelling of the tonsils depends on their infiltra- 

 tion, we may paint solutions of alum, nitrate of silver, or dilute tinc- 

 ture of iodine on them, and apply cold compresses to the throat. Any 

 remaining hypertrophy of the tonsils can only be removed by oper- 

 ation. 1 



CHAPTER V. 



SYPHILITIC AFFECTIONS OF THE PHARYNX. 



ETIOLOGY. The disturbances of nutrition in the pharyngeal tissue, 

 caused by syphilis, occasionally consist only in hyperaemia, swelling, 

 succulence, and perverted secretion of the mucous membrane, that is, 

 in the characteristic symptoms of catarrh. In other cases, as a result 

 of infection with syphilitic poison, we find the mucous papules, de- 

 scribed when speaking of syphilitic affections of the mouth, which 

 afterward become superficial ulcers or condylomata. Lastly we have, 

 in the fauces and pharynx, gummy tumors, nodular tumors, and, by 

 the breaking down of these, deep and often extensive loss of sub- 

 stance. 



As syphilitic catarrh of the pharynx and syphilitic mucous papules 

 come soon after the infection, they are classed among the secondary 

 symptoms, while the gummy tumors, which do not appear till late, are 

 classed among the tertiary symptoms. 



ANATOMICAL APPEARANCES. Syphilitic catarrh of the pharynx 

 particularly affects the soft palate and tonsils. The generally sharp 



