RELAXED SORE THROAT. 467 



you have it at once, as it is a matter of importance. Says he will send it 

 round by-and-by, does he 1 ? Nonsense, that will never do, you must have it at 

 once ; it is no use sending medicine for people after they are dead and buried ! 



And what else is there to be done? You had better get some clear ice 

 and have it broken up into little lumps about the size of a small walnut, and 

 then set to work and suck it. It is very beneficial in many diseases of the 

 throat, but especially in tonsillitis. It helps to subdue the inflammation, and is 

 at the same time very grateful, for it allays the heat and pain, and checks the 

 abundant secretion of mucus, which is often so harassing, from the constant 

 hawking and swallowing which it occasions. You must keep on sucking the 

 ice as constantly as you can, and must not give it up till you are distinctly 

 better. You can't get any? Well, it is rather a bother sometimes in the 

 country. What are you to do? You must use warm applications instead of 

 cold then that is all You may put on a good hot linseed-meal poultice, 

 right across the front of the throat, extending from ear to ear. Then you 

 should inhale the steam of hot water. If you haven't a proper inhaler, an 

 ordinary jug will do perfectly well. Get it filled with hot water, and put 

 your mouth over the top, and breathe away. You had better put a towel round 

 the mouth of the jug, and then you will not burn your face. If you try inhalation 

 in bed, mind you do not by a sudden movement upset the jug. Boiling water 

 applied to the legs undoubtedly acts as a powerful temporary stimulus, but it is 

 not a method of treatment of any service in tonsillitis. 



Very frequently a warm milk-and-water gargle proves very soothing. A well- 

 known medical writer says : " The only gargle which I should consider admissible 

 in the commencement of the malady is a gargle of warm milk-and-water. I have 

 known of one instance in which quinsy suddenly attacked a gentleman who was 

 extremely anxious to use his throat in public speaking the next day. He occupied 

 himself perpetually for some hours in this sort of fomentation of the tonsils with 

 hot water, and with such good effect, that on the day following he was able to 

 accomplish his object." Some people use a gargle of vinegar and honey, whilst 

 others devote their energies to sucking saltpetre balls. And what about calomel 1 

 Isn't calomel the right thing to begin with? No, certainly not; if your bowels are 

 confined you may get them open by some simple purgative if you like, but that is 

 all you want. Nine times out of ten, if taken sufficiently early, aconite or guaiacum 

 will effect a cure. If there is much shortness of breath the doctor had better be 

 sent for, as the enlarged tonsils may be causing some obstruction, and it may be 

 necessary to make a little prick in one of them to let the matter out. 



RELAXED SORE THROAT. 



This may either be the sequel of an acute sore throat, or it may make its 

 appearance quite independently of any previous febrile disease. 



It occurs most frequently in people of somewhat feeble constitution and 

 sedentary habit. It is often caused by excessive indulgence in smoking. 



The symptoms complained of are chiefly uneasiness at the back of the throat, 



