The Throat

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 170, 18 September 1886, Page 6

The Throat

The accidents and disease? Avhich affect the * throat are very numerous' and important. In the anatomy , of the region which is popularly.'Understood by "the throat" the ono jobject which prc^entS'itself prominently to' view ia what is commonly called "Adam's apple." If this be felt, a hard structure - can be ( made out,, which is ( the larynx or s "voice box." ' Within it are the vocal , chords. If the mouth be very widely opened, > and light allowed to fall properly - into it, or reflected into it t>y a looking-glass, A the upper and lower rows of teeth can be '"' Been. t The tongue is usually Arched so as to hide what ia beyond. To overcome this, , it may be either protruded very far out, or - - olee, with the handle of a spoon, pressed down. If a good view is thus, obtained, ' the back wall of the throat is seen, i\hich is really the front of the spine.. On , either fide, of the throat where the tongue arches down out of sight, i here are two folds of tissue, and between ? hem they contain the tonsils. The bony roof of the mouth is prolonged into the soft palate, which ends in a red and fleshy structure called the uvula. Beyond this is the • back of the throat. Upwards this leads to lhe opening" into the back of our nostrils. ; This communication enables us fully to enjoy foods -which have flavour that is due t«- ' a combination of taste and' smell. Here,' ioo, are the two tubes which lead to the interior of the ears. Hence it is that in swallowing we sometimes hear a curious "click." And it also accounts for colds which affect the throat leading to a deafness, either temporary or chronic, through these tubes becoming blocked. Downwards, we have the larynx, and this again leads to the windpipe, and this on to the lungs. ' At the root of the tongue there is a small spring trap-door like arrangement, which closes the air-pas?age during the act of swallowing, and so thelood glides safely over it and down the food passage. The disagreeable sensation of a crumb, etc., going "the wrong way" is caused through speaking or bieathing at the wrong moment, allowing the foreign substance to get through the trap-door -into the larynx. Here its presence is instautly resented, a reflex action takes place, and a violent explosive expulsion of air blows the morsel out. The fiist serious throat troubleis that of choking. i A few good sharp blows between the shoulders often helps to give ppeedy lelief. The next best thing to do is to boldly put the fore or middle finger into the mouth, and try to feel for the bit of food. If possible, seize it gently, and pull it away. These are the only means of importance at the command of the non-pro-iessional Opening the windpipe, etc., can only be done by a surgeon, who, in extreme cases of choking, had need to be actually on the spot if he is to be any good. It is therefore very important to be careful, in eating, to chew the food well, and not to laugh heartily with a laige piece of food in the mouth, as it is then so apt to be sucked into the wrong channel. T*he term "sore throat "' includes a great variety of diseases. A sore .throat may be acute or chronic, or if may be an ulcerated throat. Acuto inflammation of the throat occurs commonly fiom cold, due to unwise exposure, to harsh winds, or to sudden changes of tempei ature. Heat, dry ness, and difficulty of s« allo-n ing are its ordinary symptom*. If the throat be examined, it is found reddened and glistening It is very important to remember the sore throat may be a part of a general disease, euch a^ diphtheria or : S2arlatina. In some cases it is impossible 'o decide at once whether a throat affection is a merely local disease, but in a short time feverishness and other symptoms will determine In some cases of scarlet fever, however, sore throat is almost the only symptom. Inflammation and enlargement of the tonsils is a common complaint in children. ' There is often high fever, restlessness, and sore throat. The patient, speaks in a nasal tone, and during sleep often snores. Upon looking into the throat, one or both tonsils can be seen enlarged, and in well-marked cases may be found projecting, two rounded fleshy masses, far in the throat.- This disease is not dangerous) and very rarely indeed is it fatal. In slight cases of sore throat, an aperient should be taken, and for local application a wet rag should be fastened round the throat at night, coveted with a piece of flannel. The " old granny's habit " of taking & stocking from the foot ' and tying it round the neck at bedtime haa doubtless put a speedy end to many &rx incipent sore throats Small pieces of ice may be sucked. The food should be' very supporting, and should consist chiefly of beef-tea, milk, and 'other nutritious liquid*.