Acute inflammations of the pharynx alone or in common with
inflammations of other parts of the nasopharyngeal tract are common.
This disease is most common as a result of the acute infections
affecting the nose and throat.
=Etiology.=—The predisposing causes are focal infections of the
nasopharynx, such as tonsillitis, sinuitis, etc. Deficient nutrition or
anemia of the pharynx or systemic anemia are common causes. Lesions of
the cervical, upper thoracic and hyoid are common predisposing causes.
Undue exposure of the neck in susceptible persons or too much or too
tight clothing about the neck may also predispose to inflammations of
the pharynx.
The exciting causes are the acute infections, colds and focal
infections. Perhaps the most common exciting cause is tonsillitis,
acute or chronic.
=Symptoms and Diagnosis.=—The characteristic dryness of the pharynx,
pain and persistent coughing are diagnostic. Upon direct examination,
the reddened, swollen appearance of the pharynx and posterior pillars
can be seen.
=Treatment.=—The treatment should be general and local and should
be determined by the causes and conditions present. This disease is
usually an acute infection and like other acute infections, the usual
systemic treatment should be applied.
The local treatment consists of thorough cleansing of the nasopharynx
(by irrigation if the patient can permit) and the frequent (or
occasional as required) use of some gargle until the inflammation
has subsided. Any cleansing nonirritative solution may be used for a
gargle. Equal parts of peroxide, alcohol and glycerine, a tablespoonful
to a half glass of very warm water or ten to fifteen drops of
phenol-glycerine to a half glass of warm water will make a good
cleansing gargle.
The osteopathic treatment consists of corrective work to the cervical,
upper thoracic and hyoid and thorough relaxation of the submaxillary
musculature to obtain good venous and lymphatic drainage. If sufficient
care be taken to avoid trauma, digital stretching of the soft palate
and pharyngeal muscles by the use of the finger internally, is very
efficacious.