as
this is breathed over the mucaginous surface of the tonsils, the contagious
atoms are liable to be arrested by the tonsil; which therefore becomes the
nest of the future disease, like the inflamed circle round the inoculated
puncture of the arm in supposititious small-pox. This swelling is liable to
suffocate the patient in small-pox, and to become gangrenous in scarlet
fever, and some other contagious fevers, which have been received in this
manner. The existence of inflammation of the tonsil previous to the scarlet
eruption, as the arm inflames in the inoculated small-pox, and suppurates
before the variolous eruption, should be a criterion of the scarlet fever
being taken in this manner.
M. M. All the means which strengthen the patient, as in the sensitive
inirritated fever, Class II. 1. 2. 1. As it is liable to continue a whole
lunation or more, great attention should be used to nourish the patient
with acidulous and vinous panada, broth with vegetables boiled in it,
sugar, cream, beer; all which given frequently will contribute much to
moisten, clean, and heal the ulcuscles, or sloughs, of the throat; warm
water and wine, or acid of lemon, should be frequently applied to the
tonsils by means of a syringe, or by means of a capillary syphon, as
described in Class II. 1. 3. 1. A slight solution of blue vitriol, as two
grains to an ounce, or a solution of sugar of lead of about six grains to
an ounce, may be of service; especially the latter, applied to the edges of
the sloughs, drop by drop by means of a small glass tube, or small
crow-quill with the end cut off, or by a camel's-hair pencil or sponge; to
the end of either of which a drop will conveniently hang by capillary
attraction; as solutions of lead evidently impede the progress of
erysipelas on the exterior skin, when it is attended with feeble pulse. Yet
a solution of alum injected frequently by a syringe is perhaps to be
preferred, as it immediately removes the fetor of the breath, which must
much injure the patient by its being perpetually received into the lungs by
respiration.
4. _Parotitis._ Mumps, or branks, is a contagious inflammation of the
parotis and maxillary glands, and has generally been classed under the word
Cynanche or Angina, to which it bears no analogy. It divides itself into
two kinds, which differ in the degree of fever which attends them, and in
the method of cure.
_Parotitis suppurans._ The suppurating mumps is to be distinguishe
|