On diseases of the throat, epiglottis, and windpipe : including diphtheria, nervous sore-throat, displacements of the cartilages, weakness of the voice and chest their symptoms, progress, and treatment / by George D. Gibb.

  • Gibb, G. Duncan (George Duncan), Sir, 1821-1876.
Date:
1860
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On diseases of the throat, epiglottis, and windpipe : including diphtheria, nervous sore-throat, displacements of the cartilages, weakness of the voice and chest their symptoms, progress, and treatment / by George D. Gibb. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    a general inclm'ation and thickening of the tissues in the larynx from interstitial deposits, chiefly of lymph or albumen (of serum in acute laryngitis) ; this has been more particularly noticed in the pharynx, and constitutes a true hypertrophy of the mucous membrane. On the other hand, when ab- soi-ption has become increased from the long ces- sation of the natural functions of the part, an atrophic contraction of the pharynx has resulted with the for- mation of those enlarged or cavernous throats which occasionally are presented to our notice. Usually there is no pain nor difficulty in swallow- ing in chronic ulcer of the larynx, but it is other- wise if the anterior or lingual surface of the epiglottis is ulcerated. Again, if the ulcer is situated at the junction of the vocal cords, both speaking and coughing produce uneasiness and soreness. This helps us in the diagnosis. It is important to go into the patient's history to ascertain if the disease in the larynx owes its origin to syphilis—a rather frequent cause of ulceration,—or, to the excessive use of mercury. Then again, the lungs should in- variably be examined; this is indeed a matter of vital importance in the prognosis and treatment. When the lungs are sound, the ulceration is usually present at the boundaries of the upper aperture of the larynx, namely, above or below, or at the margins of the glottis. On the other hand, when the stethoscope assists us to learn the presence of pulmonary disease, the vocal cords are noticed to be the most affected.