102 LARYNGITIS. 
regard the eautiful frame-work, animated by the affectionate disposition 
of the horse, it sounds more than cruel, to say the most valuable and 
amiable assistant man has on earth dies neglected in age, and, during 
the vigor of its prime, encounters disease from the niggard provision 
made for its welfare. The devotion of a life ought to entitle the laborer 
to breathing space, after the labor of the day has ended. But noblemen, 
professional men, merchants, tradesmen, mechanics, all sin in this respect 
alike. The horse, when not toiling, is pushed away into the narrowest 
possible limits. The prisoner is permitted only to breathe a limited 
quantity of the air which nature has supplied in so great abundance and 
in such purity. That quantity must, from the time of close confinement, 
be frequently respired during the night; and, when the air of the place 
has become hot and heavy, the quadruped, at the command of its attend- 
ant, quits its abode for the cold atmosphere without the walls. 
The pure air which circulates about our globe is certainly much to 
be preferred to the close interior of the stable. Yet, to the larynx, in 
some measure accustomed to the last, a sudden draught of the first is the 
almost certain source of disease. It acts as a stimulant upon a part 
rendered delicate by abiding in a morbid medium. It operates violently 
upon a structure which had almost become familiarized with impurity. 
Inflammation is the result, and laryngitis is established. 
The symptoms are broadly marked and prominently characterized. 
Dullness is present. There is a slight enlargement, which may be ob- 
served externally, and over the region of the 
larynx. The most distant attempt to handle 
the throat produces energetic resistance. The 
head is carried awkwardly, as though the neck 
were ‘‘stiff.” A short cough is frequently to 
be heard almost at every inspiration. At 
the same time, there is often to be detected 
a hoarse sound, which becomes a sort of 
grunt, when the ear is placed against the 
trachea. The breath is hurried and catch- 
ing; the pulse is full and throbbing; while 
the nasal membrane approaches to a scarlet 
hue. 
The pulse requires the first attention. It 
must be rendered less frequent and more 
soft, by drachm doses of tincture of aconite 
root in wineglasses of water, which should 
be repeated every half hour. This is better than blood-letting, as laryn- 
gitis is to be most dreaded because of its tendency to assume the chronic 
THE STEAMING-BAG. 
For a full description see p. 85. 
