46 s THE TREATMENT OF DISEASES. 



increased by swallowing, and a slight, dry, hacking cough. Impediments in speech, 

 or alterations of voice, are not common, and difficulty in swallowing is still more 

 rara 



On examining the throat by the aid of a looking-glass it will be found to be 

 more or less relaxed and swollen. The uvula is usually much elongated, so that it 

 bends down and touches the back of the tongue, keeping up a constant sensation of 

 tickling, and giving rise to the slight hacking cough. 



This is not a febrile complaint, and there is consequently no constitutional 

 disturbance. The pulse and temperature are normal, and there is neither headache nor 

 loss of appetite. The patient may be a little pulled down, but this is more likely to 

 be one of the factors in the production of the complaint than a result of it. 



A relaxed sore throat is by no means an easy thing to get rid of. It often hangs 

 about week after week, nothing apparently doing it any good. 



In most cases it depends on what we call " debility," or " want of tone," of the 

 whole system, and until this is remedied local applications are not likely to do much 

 good. In most cases the general health may be improved by the administration of 

 the ammonia and bark mixture (Pr. 13). It is a powerful tonic, but its action 

 should be aided by taking three or four glassfuls of good port wine daily. Sometimes 

 more benefit would be obtained from the quinine mixture (Pr. 9). When there is 

 marked anaemia, one of the astringent preparations of iron, such as Pr. 1 or 2, 

 may prove of service. The phosphate of lime and iron powders (Pr. 77) are in many 

 cases useful. 



It is very essential that plenty of out-door exercise should be taken, and the 

 patient should remain in the house as little as possible. If a resident in London he 

 cannot do better than get on the top of a 'bus or tram, and go for a good drive. 

 On a summer's afternoon or evening, a run up the river on one of the boats is an 

 excellent tonic. A trip to Gravesend is not to be despised. If the patient, from 

 the nature of his engagement, is unable to get away till late, he should turn out 

 an hour earlier in the morning, and get his blow that way. Many people who 

 habitually go to the city by the Underground would derive considerable benefit by 

 occasionally walking to their place of business on a fine morning. A four miles' 

 spin, even on the flags, is not a bad preparation for a day's work. 



Next, as to local applications. Undoubtedly one of the best, if not the best, is 

 glycerine of tannin. Get a bottle of it from your chemist, and a brush. Sit down 

 in a chair with your mouth wide open, and get some good-natured friend to 

 thoroughly swab out the back of your throat for you with this application. Have 

 this done for you two or three times daily for three or four days. If the condition 

 of your throat keeps you awake at night, get it done at bed-time as well It is 

 a powerful astringent, as you will probably find out. It will quickly cure a cough if 

 this has been kept up by the irritation of an elongated uvula. This method of 

 treatment is often followed by the most satisfactory results. Tannin lozenges or 

 red-gum lozenges are sometimes used, but they are not at all equal to glycerine of 

 tannin. 



When the throat is dry .and glazed, guaiacum lozenges often answer well ; one or 

 two should be taken occasionally. A gargle made by adding a drachm of tincture of 



