CEDEMA GIvOTTlDIS. 



Diseases complicated by this. Seat. Abundance. Duration. Sequels. 

 Symptoms, sudden dyspnoea, swelling of throat, pits on pressure, differen- 

 tiation from croup. Treatment, cold, ice, astringents, scarification, trache- 

 otomy. 



This is usually a complication of acute laryngitis, but it may be 

 a manifestation of other forms of local disease — tuberculosis, 

 glanders, purpura ■ haemorrhagica, pseudo-membranous inflam- 

 mation — or it may be a result of a more distant affection, like dis- 

 ease of the heart, lungs, or kidneys. It has also followed on 

 wounds of the soft palate ; on injuries of the palate or tonsils by 

 the rasp used on the molar teeth ; on strangulation (agony) ; on 

 phlebitis of the jugular with paralysis of the sympathetic nerve 

 or obstruction to the return of venous blood from the larynx ; 

 and on tumors of various kinds in the vicinity. It has been at- 

 tributed to an excessive dose of potassium iodide and any violent 

 irritant applied to the laryngeal mucosa may induce it. As a 

 complication of local inflammation it' consists in an excessive 

 serous exudation into the submucosa, around the base of the 

 epiglottis and extending to the whole larynx and pharynx. It 

 may thicken the parts by half an inch, causing complete closure 

 of the glottis. In favorable cases it may subside as rapidly as it 

 rose, while in others it may result in ulceration or abscess. The 

 infiltration has usually a clear watery aspect, but is sometimes a 

 dull red. When incised an abundance of serum escapes mixed 

 in certain cases with pus. 



Symptoms. In the course of one of the above named affections 

 there comes on suddenly extreme dyspnoea, with stertorous 

 breathing, a suffocating cough, and intense anxiety. The stridor is 

 first with inspiration alone and later with expiration as well. The 

 eyes are bloodshot and protruding, the pulse small and rapid, the 

 movements uncertain, and the skin moist with sweat. There is 

 manifest swelling of the throat and manipulation leaves the im- 

 print of the finger. 



When symptomatic of some distant affection it is at once slower 

 in its result and more persistent. 

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