Page:Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management.djvu/2076

1868 The throat and tonsils will be seen to be of a darker red than the surrounding parts.

Treatment.—A mild dose of laxative medicine, cold compresses, or hot fomentations to the throat externally, and internally painting the inflamed part with glycerine of borax or alum.

A second form is due to chill, or the intaking of impure gas or water. One or both tonsils will be seen to be inflamed and swollen, and either dotted or covered with white or yellow spots and patches. The glands under the jaw will be swollen and painful, and there will be a varying amount of fever present. In this case medical advice should be obtained, as the complaint may be either simple tonsilitis or diphtheria. (Q.v. "Diseases of Childhood.")

The Treatment of Tonsilitis.—Give an active aperient, foment the throat constantly, paint the throat with a solution containing 1 part of lactic acid to 7 of water, and give a mixture containing 2 drachms of tincture of iron, 4 drachms of glycerine to 6 ozs. of water: 1 tablespoonful to be given every 4 hours. A gargle of a teaspoonful of carbolic acid to half a pint of hot water is useful. Rest in bed is necessary while there is fever.

Spasms, in the ordinary sense of the word, mean gripes, and commonly depend on indigestion and constipation.

Treatment.—In many cases relief may be obtained by the administration of a purgative. If the pain is very severe, it may be relieved by adding 15 drops of laudanum to the purgative. Half an oz. of castor-oil with 10-15 drops of laudanum is a favourite prescription suitable for an adult. As soon as the pain is relieved the general condition of health must be attended to, and anything in the diet that has been known to give rise to pain should be scrupulously avoided, and only simple plain foods taken.

Specks before the Eyes are generally indicative of a sluggish liver, and may be readily removed by taking the old-fashioned blue pill at night, followed by a black draught or seidlitz powder in the morning.

Squint is an acquired disfigurement. At first it is only occasional, and should be treated before it becomes permanent. It is due to abnormality in the vision generally to strain, caused by long sightedness. The eyes should be tested and suitable spectacles worn; this will nearly always effect a cure. If the squint is permanent, an operation may be required to correct it.

Stiffness.—Treatment. Hot baths and massage.

Superfluous Hairs can only be permanently removed by the process of electrolysis. This must be applied by a skilled expert.

Tape Worm.—Treatment.—1 drachm of oil of male fern, to be given in milk early in the morning, on an empty stomach, to be followed, 2 hours later by a large dose of castor-oil. This may be repeated for 3 days.

Tic Douloureux.—See Neuralgia.