46G THE TREATMENT OF DISEASES. 



remedy until the patient has taken aconite for some twenty-four hours or more. In 

 many cases, however, the two remedies may be associated ; they are not to be mixed, 

 and they are not to be given together, but alternately a dose of aconite one hour, a 

 dose of belladonna the next, then again the aconite, and so on. 



In certain conditions of quinsy the influence of grey powder is most marked. 

 Pr. 71 may be employed, a powder to be taken every two or three hours. It is 

 especially indicated when the tonsils are so enlarged as almost to meet ; when the 

 difficulty in swallowing is almost insuperable, and when the obstruction to breathing 

 is so great that the patient seems to be in danger of suffocation. In these cases 

 it acts like a charm, the swelling quickly subsides, and in a few hours the 

 crisis is passed. Even when matter has formed, its maturation and evacuation 

 are facilitated. 



Grey powder is not usually required quite at the commencement of the attacks. 

 In many cases our treatment of quinsy runs as follows : first a course of 

 aconite, then one of belladonna, and finally one of grey powder. The indications 

 for each of these remedies should be carefully considered. 



Another good medicine, when matter has distinctly formed, is sulphide of 

 calcium. It should be given in the form of the pilules (Pr. 68), one every 

 quarter of an hour for the first hour, and then hourly for five or six hours. 



Carbonate of baryta in small doses has been highly recommended in the 

 treatment of quinsy. It must be given early, before matter has formed, and it 

 is essential to give it frequently. 



Guaiacum is a capital remedy for tonsillitis. Send for a bottle of " ammoniated 

 tincture of guaiacum," and take a tea-spoonful of this in milk every four hours. 

 It is distinctly nasty, but you must not mind that. It is essential to take 

 the full quantity, for small doses do hardly any good. In the case of children, 

 who have frequently very decided opinions as to the inadvisability of taking 

 nasty medicines, it may be better to give small doses of the aconite mixture, 

 which is perfectly tasteless. It has been said that guaiacum proves of service 

 only in " rheumatic " sore throat. This is not the case, for it answers admirably 

 in ordinary quinsy. 



Next as to the general treatment, and the accessory measures to be employed. 

 The first thing is to go to bed there's no help for it, and there's not a bit of 

 good your trying to keep about, you'll only make yourself wors^,, and, perhaps, 

 be laid up for a fortnight. You must go off to bed at once. No, presently 

 won't do, every hour is of importance. You must have a hot-water bottle in 

 the bed, and the fire must be lighted. Put the kettle on the hob, so that the 

 steam may escape into the room and keep the air moist. You must have 

 the window open for a good inch at the top, or the room will get abominably 

 stuffy, and that's the worst thing in the world for a sore throat. Shall you 

 send for a doctor ? No, you'll get on very well if you will only keep your 

 wits about you. Where's your tincture of aconite bottle? Haven't you got 

 any] Then you ought to have. Send to the chemist's for it without a 

 moment's delay. No, don't go yourself; you are not to go out on any account. 

 And just say, if you please, that you will feel obliged if the chemist will let 



