Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 4, 1802).djvu/258

230&#93; 2^6] TON Jimes produced by the sharp edges ot the teeth : in this case, the latter rnust be filed off, and astringent gargles frequently employed. A more serious malady is Glossi- tis, or Inflammation of the Tongue; the following are its symptoms : — A partial or general tumor ; the sides and lower surface are red, and uncommonly painful to the touch. Progressively, the patient's speech, swallowing, and respira- tion, become affeded ; and, when the complaint is of a violent nn- tnre, the tongue is so tumefied that it fills up the cavity of the mouth : farther, if the inflamma- tion should extend to the gullet, and thus impede respiration, a symptomatic sore-throat is often induced. An acute head-ath, and sometimes delirium occur, which may even prove fatal. More fre- quently, however, it terminates either by a resolution, or by a fa- vourable suppuration ; though, in some instances, it is eventually followed by mortification, scirrhus, •r cancer. Causes : — Suppressed perspira- tion J acrid substances taken into the mouth J or, a deposition of morbid matter from other parts, for instance, in rheumatisms, scro- phula, &c. Cure : — ^While the patient is able to swallow, cooling aperients should be given; and, if the symptoms evince crudities in the stomach and intestines, either emetics or purga- tives, according to the seat of such accumulated matter, will, in the Jirst stage, prove highly efficaci- ous. Blisters, and other vesicato- rics, applied to the feet and arms j or, in urgent cases, even to the neck, together with bathing the legs in tepid water, cannot fail to TON be useful, by diminishing the in- flammation. "Warm, emollient fo- mentations around the neck, may also be resorted to ; and if the mouth be charged with phlegm or mucus, the faucesought to be rinsed with a decottion of chamomile or el- der flowers, to which a small quan- tity of sal-ammoniac may be added : for the same purpose, a decodion of figs in milk, will occasionally prove of service. — Should vene- se6lion be indicated, it will be pre- ferable to draw the blood by means of cupping-glasses ; or, by apply- ing leeches to the adjacent parts.^ If a colledion of pus, or an ab- scess be formed, the discharge must be promoted by an incision, as soon as the matter is suflficiently maturated. But, where the in- flammation terminates in a Scir- rhus, or Cancer, the reader will find the proper treat.Tient stated under those respedive heads. Lameness of the tongue, may originate from variouscauses : thus, if it proceed from worms, or sup- pressed piles, in the former case, vermifuges, and in the latter, sueh remedies should be resorted to, as tend to restore that salutary evacuation, by the mildest ape- rients : when this atfciEtion arise* from violent passions, cafanh, or is symptomatic of palsy, it will be useful to employ electricity, setons, and blistering cataplasms to the skin (see Sinapism), which have frequently been attended with suc- cess. llie palate, or sense of taste, may be depraved by organic aflfec- tions, or atony of the parts j by incrustations, for instance, in the thntsh; in consequence of warts on the tongue, from a vitiated sa- liva ; or the destruction of neneg pro-