Simple chronic pharyngitis seldom exists alone and uncomplicated; most cases being the result of previous existing disease of the nasal or post-nasal passages. Many cases are associated with hypertrophy, or enlargement, of the tonsils. Usually the disease is located in the upper part of the pharynx, or throat, behind and above the uvula and soft palate, and is thus hidden from view when looking into the throat through the mouth. When not associated with nasal catarrh the common symptoms are dropping of tenacious mucous in the throat, causing a constant desire to hawk and spit; sense of dryness in this region; cough and expectoration on rising in the morning, which is due to the irritability of the throat, and may invade the lower air-passages. The throat may be studded with red and thickened patches of its mucous membrane. Respiration may be embarrassed, the voice affected and the general health gradually decline. The membrane above and behind the palate is angry, reddened, thickened and roughened, as represented in G, Fig. 16.
Treatment To rationally treat a disease, attack the cause. Therefore, in an uncomplicated case of post-nasal disease of the pharynx the medicine should be applied at this point. For this purpose we recommend the regular and continuous use of Dr. Sage's Catarrh Remedy administered preferably by means of the post-nasal syringe as illustrated in Fig. 16.
The efficacy of Dr. Sage's Catarrh Remedy as a curative agent in catarrh of mucous membranes is unequaled if the medicine be properly and thoroughly applied. The Catarrh Remedy fluid should be prepared as directed in the pamphlet which accompanies the medicine. Warm enough of the medicine to fill the syringe twice. After the syringe is filled with the warm medicine, introduce the curved tip behind the soft palate, holding the syringe as seen in Fig. 16, then incline the head forward over a wash bowl and empty the syringe by pressing the plunger quickly. The medicine will immediately come in contact with the diseased surfaces and pass out through the nostrils, thoroughly medicating, disinfecting and cleansing the upper part of the throat and the posterior region of the nostrils. Two syringes of the medicine should be used for each treatment, and two or more applications made every day until a cure is effected.
At the same time the local treatment is being used, Dr. Pierce's Golden Medical Discovery should be taken to act through the blood upon the diseased tissues.
The Catarrh Remedy may be administered by means of the Nasal Douche, if the case is complicated by nasal catarrh. Should tumors or deformities exist, it is advisable to consult a specialist.
ENLARGED TONSILS.
Chronic enlargement of the tonsils, as shown in Fig. 17, A A, is an exceedingly common affection. It is most common to those of a scrofulous habit. It rarely makes its appearance after the thirtieth year, unless it has been imperfectly cured. Both tonsils are generally, though unequally enlarged. A person affected with this disease is extremely liable to sore throat, and contracts it on the slightest exposure; the contraction of a cold, suppression of perspiration, or derangement of the digestive apparatus being sufficient to provoke inflammation.
Causes. Repeated attacks of quinsy, scarlet fever, diphtheria, or scrofula, and general impairment of the system, predispose the individual to this disease.
Symptoms. The voice is often husky, nasal or guttural, and disagreeable. When the patient sleeps, a low moaning is heard, accompanied with snoring and stentorian breathing, and the head is thrown back so as to bring the mouth on a line with the windpipe, and thus facilitate the ingress of air into the lungs. When the affection becomes serious it interferes with breathing and swallowing. The chest is liable to become flattened in front and arched behind, in consequence of the difficulty of respiration, thus predisposing the patient to pulmonary disease. On looking into the throat, the enlarged tonsils may be seen, as in the Fig. 17. Sometimes they are so greatly increased in size that they touch each other.