Symptoms

The main symptoms of tonsillitis are sore throat, fever, headache, pain in various parts of the body, difficulty in swallowing, hoarseness of voice and general weakness. The tonsils are seen to be inflamed and red when the mouth is opened wide. In many cases, spots of pus exude from them. Externally, the tonsillar lymph glands, which lie just behind the angle of the jaw, are tender and enlarged. In several cases, there may be pain in the ear.

The children suffering from this disease are often listless and pale. They may vomit frequently due to the irritation of large tonsils. In case of chronic tonsillitis, the children may lose weight. They may be irritable, lethargic and weak in studies.

Treatment

The treatment of tonsillitis by means of painting and spraying is both harmful and suppressive. It does not help to rid the system of toxins, which are at the root of the trouble. In fact, it forces these toxins back into the system, which may cause more serious trouble later on. The removal of tonsils by surgery, in case of chronic tonsillitis, may appear as a simple measure. But it is responsible for serious ill-health in later life, as the system of the child concerned will be working at a permanently impaired level of efficiency.

The correct way to treat the disease is to cleanse the system of toxic waste through proper dietary and other natural methods. The child should be kept isolated in bed. The bedroom should be well ventilated. He should not be given solid foods and should be encouraged to take sufficient fluids and juices. Orange and lemon juices, diluted with water and mixed with honey, will be especially beneficial. If the child shows reluctance to take juices, he may be given fresh juicy fruits such as apple, grapes, orange, pears, pineapple, peach and melon. In no circumstances, he should be given foods which produce or increase acidity. He should be persuaded to take warm-water enema to cleanse the bowels for the first few days of the treatment. If he is reluctant, he may be given glycerine suppository. A heating compress should be applied to the throat. It is a very valuable measure to relive sore throat and reduce swelling and inflammation. The procedure for this application has been explained in the Appendix. The patient will feel warm within a short time and this will have a soothing effect on the throat. This compress should be changed every eight hours.

The throat may be gargled with hot water mixed with a little salt and lime juice several times daily. This will help draw out fluids from the inflamed throat, thereby relieving discomfort. Gargling with solutions made from the fenugreek (methi) seeds is effective in severe cases. To make such a gargle, two tablespoons of fenugreek seeds should be allowed to simmer for half an hour in a liter of water and then set aside to cool. The entire quantity should be used as a sothign gargle in a day with beneficial results. Hot packs may be applied to the neck. A warm-water bath will also be helpful.

After the acute symptoms of tonsillitis are over, the child patient may be allowed to gradually embark upon a well-balanced diet, according to his age. The emphasis should be on fresh fruits, raw vegetables, whole grain cereals and milk.

Certain home remedies have been found beneficial in the treatment of inflamed tonsils. One of the most effective of these remedies is the use of lime. Half a fresh lime squeezed in a glass of warm water, mixed with two teaspoons of honey and little salt, should be sipped slowly in such cases.

The use of milk has been found valuable in this disease. A glass of pure boiled milk, mixed with a pinch of turmeric powder and pepper powder, should be taken every night for three nights. It will provide great relief.

Raw vegetable juices are also beneficial in the treatment of tonsillitis. The juices of carrot, beet and cucumber, taken individually or in combination, are especially valuable. Formula proportions found helpful, when used in combination, are carrot 150 ml. beet 50 ml. and cucumber 50 ml. to prepare 250 ml. of combined juice.

Massage of the throat is also very valuable in tonsillitis. The procedure for this massage has been explained in the Appendix. Fresh air, deep breathing and other exercises should all form a part of the daily health regiment of the patient.

Tonsillitis can be successfully treated by the natural methods outlined above. Surgery for the removal of the tonsils will be necessary only in very rare cases, when tonsil are seriously diseased, rugged and contain hopelessly incurable pus pockets.