Mothers’ remedies. 1.  Tonsilitis, Raw Onion and Pork for.—­“Take a raw onion and some salt pork, chop together, make a poultice on which put a little turpentine and wrap around the throat.”  This is a very good remedy and should be used for some time.  Change as often as necessary.

2.  Tonsilitis, Peppermint Oil Good for.—­“Apply peppermint oil thoroughly on the outside of the throat from well up behind the ear nearly to the chin, also just in front of the ear.  This will soon penetrate through to the tonsils; apply freely if the case is severe and later apply hot cloths if relief does not follow without.”

3.  Tonsilitis, Borax Water for.—­“One-fourth teaspoonful borax in one cup of hot water, gargle frequently.”  This may be used for ordinary sore throat not quite so strong.

4.  Tonsilitis, Salt and Pepper Will Relieve.—­“Apply salt pork well covered with pepper to the swollen parts; will often give relief.”

5.  Tonsilitis, Peroxide of Hydrogen Will Cure.—­“Tonsilitis and contagious sore throats are just now extremely popular.  Persons having a tendency to them will seldom be sick if they gargle daily with a solution of peroxide of hydrogen and water in equal parts for adults.  Peroxide diluted with five parts of water and used as a head spray will prevent catarrhal colds.”  Children, are often sent to school immediately after an attack of tonsilitis, when they should be at home taking a tonic and building up by a week of outdoor play.

6.  Tonsilitis, a Remedy Effective for.—­“Rub the outside of the throat well with oil of anise and turpentine, and keep the bowels open.”  Care should be taken not to take cold.  The anise is very soothing and the turpentine will help to draw out the soreness.  This would be a good remedy for children.

[Infectious diseases 189]

Physicians’ treatment for Tonsilitis. 1.  First Home Treatment.—­Put the patient to bed alone in a pleasant room, comfortably warm; for this disease is recorded as contagious in this form.  Cold applied externally around the sore spot is good.  Use an ice bag if you have it; or wring cloths out of cold water and put just under the jaw and a flannel over that, bound around the neck.  It must be changed often to keep cold.

2.  Smartweed.—­Cloths wrung out of smartweed tea are very good when applied under the jaw.

3.  Salt Pork.—­Salt pork, well salted and peppered, sewn to a cloth and applied on both sides, if both are diseased, directly to the lumps is very good.  These can be kept on indefinitely.  I have used them.

4.  Liniment.—­A strong blistering liniment applied externally where the lumps are is also good.  These applications tend to withdraw some of the blood from the sore tonsils, and of course, that relieves them.  There are many such that can be used.  Poultices should not be applied for this form as they tend to hasten formation of pus.