36 PRACTICE OF PHYSIC. 



This I think is owing to the circumstance that the affection may 

 be communicated more or less to the glottis, and may there pro- 

 duce the suffocating spasms: I have, however, in more than thirty 

 years' practice, not met with this accident. Where the swelling 

 is considerable, the general bleeding is certainly to be repeated ; 

 but our more certain relief is from topical bleeding, from the ap- 

 plication of leeches to the external fauces, which seldom fails in 

 relieving at least the great swelling." 



CCCVI. At the beginning of the disease, full vomiting has 

 been frequently found to be of great service. 



CCCVI I. This inflammation may be often relieved by mo- 

 derate astringents, and particularly by acids applied to the in- 

 flamed parts. In many cases, however^ nothing has been found 

 to give more relief than the vapour of warm water received into 

 the fauces by a proper apparatus. 



In many persons who are liable to be affected with this 

 swelling from slight applications of cold, we have known the 

 disease prevented or soon removed by the use of a decoction of 

 oak-bark, to a pound of which, half a dram of alum and two 

 ounces of brandy were added. Alum is used in gargles in relax- 

 ations of the uvula and other swellings of the mucous membrane 

 of the fauces, when there is not at the same time any acute in- 

 flammation present ; but I have known it employed in every 

 state of Cynanche tonsillaris with some advantage. M. M. 



CCCVIII. The other remedies of this disease are rubefacient 

 or blistering medicines, applied externally to the neck ; and with 

 these, the employment of antiphlogistic purgatives, as well as 

 every part of the antiphlogistic regimen, excepting the applica- 

 tion of cold. 



" I am as certain of the hurt from cold in this affection as of the 

 benefit of it in phrenitis ; cold drink has aggravated and indeed 

 induced the disease. It was customary to apply poultices to 

 the external fauces, and if rightly applied, they might be of use, 

 but as after they are applied, they generally soon fall down, and 

 are cold when again closely applied, they are therefore im- 

 proper.'" 



CCCIX. This disease, as we have said, often terminates by 

 resolution, frequently accompanied by sweating, which is there- 

 fore to be prudently favoured and encouraged. 



