CIASS II. 1. 3. 3. OP SENSATION, 193 



part. Lastly, some mild stimulant, as a weak solution of salt 

 and water, or of white vitriol and water, may be used to wash 

 the fauces with in the decline of the disease, to expedite the ab- 

 sorption of the new vessels, if necessary, as recommended in 

 ophthalmy. 



Tonsillitis superficialis. Inflammation of the surface of the 

 tonsils. As the tonsils and parts in their vicinity are covered 

 with a membrane, which, though exposed to currents of air, is 

 nevertheless constantly kept moist by mucus and saliva, and is 

 liable to diseases of its surface like other mucous membranes, as 

 well as to suppuration of the internal substance of the gland; 

 the inflammation of its surface is succeeded by small elevated 

 pustules with matter in them, which soon disappears, and the 

 parts either readily heal, or ulcers covered with sloughs are left 

 on the surface. 



This disease is generally attended with only sensitive fever, 

 arid therefore is of no danger, and may be distinguished with 

 great certainty from the dangerous inflammation or gangrene 

 of the tonsils at the height of the small-pox, or scarlet fever, by 

 its not being attended with other symptoms of those diseases. 

 One emetic and a gentle cathartic are generally sufficient; and the 

 frequent swallowing of weak broth, or gruel, both without salt 

 in them, relieves the patient, and absolves the cure. When 

 these tumours of the tonsils frequently return I have sometimes 

 suspected them to originate from the absorption of putrid matter 

 from decaying teeth. See Class I. 2. 3. 21. and II. 2.2. 1. 



Tonsillitis inirritata. Inflammation of the tonsils with sensi- 

 tive inirritated fever is a symptom only of contagious fever, 

 whether attended with scarlet eruption, or with confluent small- 

 -pox, or otherwise. The matter of contagion is generally diffus- 

 ed, not dissolved in the air; and as this is breathed over the mu- 

 caginous surface of the tonsils, the contagious atoms are liable 

 to be arrested by the tonsil; which therefore becomes the nest 

 of the future disease, like the inflamed circle round the inocu- 

 lated puncture of the arm in supposititious srnall-pox. The swell- 

 ing is liable to suffocate the patient in small-pox, and to become 

 gangrenous in scarlet fever, and some other contagious fevers, 

 which have been received in this manner. The existence of in- 

 flammation of the tonsil previous to the scarlet eruption, as the 

 arm inflames in the inoculated small-pox, and suppurates before 

 the variolous eruption, should be a criterion of the scarlet fever 

 being taken in this manner. 



M. M. All the means which strengthen the patient, as in 

 the sensitive inirritated fever, Class II. 1.2. 1. As it is liable 

 to continue a whole lunation or more, great attention should be 



VOL, II. C C 



