A treatise on the enlarged tonsil and elongated uvula : and other morbid conditions of the throat, in connexion with defects of voice, speech, hearing, deglutition, respiration, and with the imperfect development of health, strength, and growth, in young persons / by James Yearsley.

James Yearsley

Date:: 1851

Credit: A treatise on the enlarged tonsil and elongated uvula : and other morbid conditions of the throat, in connexion with defects of voice, speech, hearing, deglutition, respiration, and with the imperfect development of health, strength, and growth, in young persons / by James Yearsley. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by King’s College London. The original may be consulted at King’s College London.

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$throat on I)K(H,UTriTON AM) DIGKSITON. :i7 the })iissage of food and tlie inereased niuseidar action of the fauces and throat necessary for swallowing, on account of the enlarged tonsils, ])rodnced syinj)toins which were considered indicative of serious organic disease. \\'hen the nature of the case became thus evident, tonics and astringent a})plications soon suj)presscd the lucinorrhage, and removed the condition which had given rise to it. But it is in the acute forms of tonsillary disease that the function of deglutition is most impeded. 1 have already said, that in cases where they are enlarged, there is almost a certainty of their becoming iidlamed in every attack of catarrh. I have also said, that in this state they give rise to a great ])rcdisposition to colds; thus acting both as the exciting cause, and as the aggravation of the acute dis- order. When inllammation is })resent, the dilliculty is modihed by the amount of inflammation, and the irrita- bility of the mucous surface. In sini])le sore throat it may entirely prevent the swallowing of solid food; and the muscular movements necessary to deglutition stretch the mucous membrane so as to cause considerable suffering, even when taking liquid food in the most careful manner. When the throat symptoms are severe, they are aggravated by a constant and distressing desire to swallow, and thus })erform the movements which occasion most suffering. The inflamed mucous membrane conveys the sensation of dryness and of there being something in the throat which might be removed by a vigorous act of swallowing. Besides this, there is in most cases an increased secretion in the mouth, resembling salivation; and the patient is either obliged to add to his sufierings by constant deglutition, or to remain with his mouth open, allowing the saliva to escape in this manner. In severe cases of cynanche tonsil- laris these symptoms are all much aggravated, the power$