M0012978: Illustration of physician using a laryngoscope

Date:
April 1953
Reference:
WT/D/1/20/1/116/2
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: M0012978: Illustration of physician using a laryngoscope. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    useful topical astinngent. Grlycerine may also be made the veliicle for alimi. Wlienever glycerine is applied to the larynxj it must be done by means of a brush; it is too thick a liquid to pass through a syringe. Amongst local applications to the larynx, I may mention that Dr, Mackenzie has successfully applied electricity in some cases of nervous aphonia. By means of a simple instrument, one pole of a magneto-electric machine is applied to the interior of the larynx, the other to the skin of the neck outside. The sudden shock excites a spasm of the laryngeal muscles, and this often restores the voice. A strong solution of caustic applied to the larynx has sometimes had the same effect. And in other cases of this kind a sudden and violent mental emotion, whether joyous or painful, has immediately brought back the voice. Since this Lecture was delivered, I have apphed electricity with great success in one case of nervous aphonia. In May last a young gentleman, aged 17, was sent to me by Dr. Dixey of Baldock. The patient had been unable to speak above a whisper since the beginning of the year. There was no cough, no dyspnoea, no stridor in breathing. The laryngo- scope showed a healthy larynx, but the glottis did not close when he attempted to vocalize. On the 25th of May, and again' on the 30th, I appHed a solution of nitrate of silver in the proportion of to 5j, without effecting any improvement in the voice. On the 6th June, with the assistance of Dr. Dixey, I apphed electricity by means of Dr. Mackenzie's instru- ment. The natural voice was restored at once, and he has retained it to the present time.