BITING THE FINGER NAILS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2581, 26 January 1889, Page 1 (Supplement)

BITING THE FINGER NAILS.

I)ii Tutuu., of Chicago, II!., in the M cvlical Ucconl, cays :—A uovel accident, resulting from a very common practice prevalent amony nervous people, was brought to my notice recently. A young lady presented herself at my oflioe complaining of a constant irritation in her throat. Two weeks previously she had been taken with a severe "sore throat," which was treated by a neighbouring physical]. Under his care, sivi siys, the inflammation soon subsided, but there still remained a sensation of irritation. Examination revealed a small fleshy-looking object, about the size of a kernel of wheat, adherent to the tissues posterior to the left tonsil, by one end. The little m iss, by the use of forceps was easily removed, and 011 examination proved to be a piece of finger nail, which had become covered by a cheesy deposit. A broken piece of the nail was also removed from under the mucous membrane at the same spot by a sharp pointed probe. The patient then confessed to the habit of biting her li'.icier nails, and moreover, could remember that a day or two previous to the onset of her throat trouble a piece of nail whieh she had bitten oIF had become lost in her mouth, but after it had caused a lit of cou;;hin.: she had Mrgotlc■: about it u .til reminded by my discovery.