An Account of the Sore Throat Attended With Ulcers: A Disease Which Hath of Late Years Appeared in This City, and in Several Parts of the Nation — John Shaqi
An Account of the Sore Throat Attended With Ulcers: A Disease Which Hath of Late Years Appeared in This City, and in Several Parts of the NationFothergill, John
History
An Account of the Sore Throat Attended With Ulcers: A Disease Which Hath of Late Years Appeared in This City, and in Several Parts of the Nation
Fothergill, John
Diphtheria
All the Parts of the _Fauces_ above-mention'd are liable to these
Ulcerations; but they generally are first discernible in the Angles
above the Tonsils, or on the Tonsils themselves; though they are often
to be seen in the Arch form'd by the _Uvula_, and one of the Tonsils;
also on the _Pharynx_ behind, on the Inside of the Cheeks, and the Bale
of the Tongue, which they cover in the manner of a thick Fur. Instead of
these Sloughs, where the Disorder is mild, a superficial Ulcer of an
irregular Figure appears in one or more of these Parts, scarce to be
distinguish'd from the sound, but by the Inequality of Surface they
occasion.
Towards Night, the Heat and Restlessness increase, and a _Delirium_
frequently comes on. This Symptom, which appears in some even on the
first Night, seems to differ considerably from the like Affection in
other Diseases. They commonly answer the Questions put to them properly,
but with an unusual Quickness; they talk to themselves incoherently when
left alone, and frequently betray the first Tendency to this Disorder,
by affecting too great a Composure: This for the most part happens to
those who sleep but little; for some are comatous and stupid, and take
little notice of any thing that passes.
In this manner they continue during two, three, or more Days; they
commonly grow hot and restless towards Evening: which Symptoms increase
as Night comes on; a Sweat more or less profuse breaks out towards
Morning; and from this time they are easier during some Hours; a
Faintness only continuing, of which they frequently complain more than
of the rest of their Sufferings.
The Disease seems to have no stated Period which can properly be called
its Ἀκμὴ or Height. Some grow easier from the first Day of the Attack;
but, in general, the Symptoms of Recovery appear on the third, fourth,
or fifth Day, and proceed in the following manner:
First, the Redness of the Skin disappears; the Heat grows less; the
Pulse, which was hitherto very quick, becomes slower; the external
Swellings of the Neck subside; the Sloughs in the _Fauces_ cast off; the
Ulcerations fill up; the Patient sleeps without Confusion, is composed
when awake, and his Appetite begins to return towards more solid
Nourishment, than has hitherto been allow'd him.
The parotid Glands on each Side, and the Parts about them, are commonly
swell'd, and painful to the Touch; and if the Disease is violent, the
Neck and Throat are surrounded with a large œdematous Tumor; which, by
straitening the _Fauces_, increases the Danger.
The Pulse, during the whole Course of this Disease, is generally very
quick; frequently 120 Strokes or more in a Minute: In some it is hard
and small; in others soft and full; but without that Strength and
Firmness which usually accompany equal Quickness and Heat in genuine
inflammatory Disorders.
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