Lectures in the Diseases of the Nose and Throat (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1885 edition. Excerpt: ...compared with the normal state; immediately after the cleansing operation, the membrane may appear somewhat congested, but after a short while, this passes away, and the membrane appears even paler than usual. In the second stage, the irregularities of the surface may appear more marked, or the contrary may be the case, the crypts and depressions being filled out, as it were, and appearing as if flush with the surrounding parts. A rough, granular aspect is often presented, the edges of the Eustachian tube openings presenting the same appearance. In advanced cases, the naso-pharyngeal wall generally presents a shrunken appearance, its dry, glistening surface contrasting markedly with the moist appearance of the earlier stages. A sensation of great dryness, which extends to the lower pharynx, is a source of great annoyance to the patient. Prognosis.--Chronic post-nasal catarrh cannot be considered as dangerous to life in itself, but there is no doubt that its presence so undermines the system as to reduce markedly its resisting power to disease, rendering it susceptible, therefore, to affections to which otherwise it would not be liable. As a focus of inflammation, it is a dangerous neighbor for the surrounding parts, the pharynx, larynx, and the lungs even, being constantly exposed to contamination through continuity of tissue. The disease principally affects young people, frequently disappearing about middle life. Treatment.--The therapeutic measures to be adopted vary, of course, with the cause of the trouble in each individual case. The cause must first carefully be sought for, and eradicated if possible, the success of the treatment depending upon the effectiveness with which this is accomplished. In other words, turgescences, ..