Public speakers are liable to a chronic relaxed sore throat, which has been called in consequence “clergyman’s sore throat,” but which is by no means confined to persons of this class. It consists of chronic congestion of the follicles of the mucous membrane of the throat, often extending to the back of the nose and to the vocal cords. The symptoms are–a feeling of dryness in the throat, constant desire to hawk up mucus, dropping of mucus from the back of the nostrils down the back of the throat; hoarseness. It is usually a very inveterate complaint.
General Treatment.– Care must be taken in using the voice, when this disease occurs in speakers, not to strain it in any way, and much may be done by vocal drill and exercise in breathing. Much relief may be obtained by gargling the throat with warm milk and water.
Medicines.–(Three or four time a day.)
Mercurius 3.– Throat swollen red; tongue furred and flabby; hoarseness; disposition to sweat easily.
Phosph. 3.– Hoarseness with cough and soreness in larynx, worse in the evening; cannot talk on account of pain in the larynx.
Hepar 6.– Feeling as if a splinter or fish-bone were in the throat, scarcely allowing him to swallow; symptoms worse during the night.
See also under THROAT.
