[188 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
Symptoms.—Chilly feelings or even a chill and aching pains in the back and limbs may precede the onset. The fever rises rapidly and in the young child may reach 105 degrees in the evening of the first day. The infant is restless, peevish and wakeful at night; it breathes rapidly, and there is high fever and great weakness. Nursing is difficult, not only on account of the pain in swallowing, but because in the majority of cases there is more or less inflammation of the nose. The bowels are disturbed as a result of swallowing infectious secretions from the mouth with the food. The tonsils are enlarged and studded with whitish or yellowish white points. The glands at the angle of the jaws may be enlarged. In older children the tonsils are enlarged and the crypts plugged with a creamy deposit. The surface is covered with a deposit and the pillars of the fauces, uvula and pharynx may all be inflamed. The tongue is coated, the breath is bad, the urine high colored, swallowing is painful; the pain frequently runs to the ear and the voice sounds nasal, as if one had mush in his mouth when talking. In severe cases the symptoms all increase, and the parts become very much swollen. Then the inflammation gradually subsides, and in a week, as a rule, the fever is gone and the local conditions have greatly improved. The tonsils, though, remain somewhat swollen. The weakness and general symptoms are often greater than one would suppose. The trouble may also extend to the middle ear through the eustachian tubes.
Diagnosis Between Acute Tonsilitis and Diphtheria.—Follicular form. "In this form the individual, yellowish, gray masses, separated by the reddish tonsilar tissue are very characteristic, whereas in diphtheria the membrane is of ashy gray and uniform, not patch."—Osler. A point of the greatest importance in diphtheria is that the membrane is not limited to the tonsils, but creeps up the pillars of the fauces or appears on the uvula. The diphtheric membrane when removed leaves a raw, bleeding, eroded surface; whereas, the membrane of follicular tonsilitis is easily separated as there is no raw surface beneath it.
MOTHERS' REMEDIES. 1. Tonsilitis, Raw Onion and Pork for.—"Take a raw onion and some salt pork, chop together, make a poultice on which put a little turpentine and wrap around the throat." This is a very good remedy and should be used for some time. Change as often as necessary.
2. Tonsilitis, Peppermint Oil Good for.—"Apply peppermint oil thoroughly on the outside of the throat from well up behind the ear nearly to the chin, also just in front of the ear. This will soon penetrate through to the tonsils; apply freely if the case is severe and later apply hot cloths if relief does not follow without."
3. Tonsilitis, Borax Water for.—"One-fourth teaspoonful borax in one cup of hot water, gargle frequently." This may be used for ordinary sore throat not quite so strong.
4. Tonsilitis, Salt and Pepper Will Relieve.—"Apply salt pork well covered with pepper to the swollen parts; will often give relief."
5. Tonsilitis, Peroxide of Hydrogen Will Cure.—"Tonsilitis and contagious sore throats are just now extremely popular. Persons having a tendency to them will seldom be sick if they gargle daily with a solution of peroxide of hydrogen and water in equal parts for adults. Peroxide diluted with five parts of water and used as a head spray will prevent catarrhal colds." Children, are often sent to school immediately after an attack of tonsilitis, when they should be at home taking a tonic and building up by a week of outdoor play.
6. Tonsilitis, a Remedy Effective for.—"Rub the outside of the throat well with oil of anise and turpentine, and keep the bowels open." Care should be taken not to take cold. The anise is very soothing and the turpentine will help to draw out the soreness. This would be a good remedy for children.