Clinical notes on diseases of the larynx ... / by William Marcet.

  • Marcet, W. (William), 1828-1900.
Date:
1869
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Clinical notes on diseases of the larynx ... / by William Marcet. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Leeds Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Leeds Library.

    45/164 (page 27)
    CASES OP CHRONIC INFLAMMATION, WITH THICKENING OF THE LARYNX. These cases, when attended with much swelHng, mend but slowly under treatment, but, from my ex- perience, with patience and perseverance, the voice may be recovered to some extent, although I question whether a sufficient degree of freedom is acquired in the movements of the cords to allow of the perfect intonation of the voice in the act of speaking; and the sound of the voice remains harsh. I believe that the complete disappearance of the true vocal cords must not be considered as an indication that the voice cannot be recovered. In a very re- markable case of tubercular laryngitis I have had under my care, the voice was recovered, notwithstanding that the closest examination of the larynx, and the patient exhibited his throat admirably, failed to show the presence of the vocal cords. In this case the voice was entirely due to the action of the false cords, which had accommodated themselves to the patient's requirements, and become possessed of the power of vibrating, emitting a harsh and low, but not unplea- sant sound, which could be well heard at a distance. The main condition for success in the treatment of these cases is never to give way to discouragement. The practitioner who makes up his mind to grapple with diseases of the larynx must have in stock a large amount of patience, or he will soon be tempted to give up in despair the use of the Laryngoscope and the treatment of throat affections. He must remember that cases of chronic inflammation of the larynx may go on lingering for weeks without any apparent benefit from the treatment, and yet they should not be given