Tonsillitis refer to acute inflammation of the tonsils. It is also known as acute
sore throat. Chronic
tonsillitis is a term applied to cases inwhich there is enlargement of the tonsils accompanied by
repeated attacks of
infection.
The tonsils are two small
lymphoid organs that lie one on each side of the throat. They can be
seen just behind the back of the tongue between two folds of membrane running upto the soft
palate. Normally, they are about the size of a lima bean but they can become very much larger if
severely infected. They are valuable organs of selective elimination and perform a two-fold
function. Firstly, they protect the throat against disease germs. Secondly, they serve as
barometers for indicating
infection elsewhere in the body, when they become sore and swollen.
Symptoms
The main
symptoms of
tonsillitis are
sore throat, fever, headache, pain in various parts of the
body, difficulty in swallowing 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.
Causes
The chief cause of tonsilities is a toxic condition of the system generally and is brought to a head
by sudden lowering of vitality resulting from exposure and sudden chill. Tonsils enlarge and get
inflamed when the toxins cannot be got rid of through the normal channels of elimination such as
the bowels, kidneys and skin. Throat afflictions of this kind is also associated with the result of
chronic
constipation, when toxin, which should should have been ejected from the system in the
normal way, are reabsorbed into the blood-stream.
Treatment
The treatment of the
tonsillitis on the lines of modern medical system by means of painting and
spraying is both harmful and suppressive. It does not help to rid the system of the toxins, which
are the root of the trouble. In fact it forces these toxins back into the system, which may cause
more serious trouble later on. The correct way to treat the disease is to cleanse the system of
toxic waste through proper dietary and other natural methods.
To begin with, the patient should fast for three to five days by which time serious
symptoms
would subside. Nothing but water and orange juice should be taken during this time. The bowels
should be cleansed daily with a warm water enema during the period of fasting. A cold pack
should be applied to the throat at two-hourly interval during the day. The procedure is to wring
out some linen material in cold water, wrap it two or three times around the throat and cover it
with some flannelling.
The throat may be gargled several times daily with neat lemon juice. Gargle made from the
fenugreek seeds is very effective in severe cases. To make such a gargle , two tablespoonful of
fenugreek seeds should be allowed to simmer for half an hour in a litre of water and then set
aside to cool. The entire quantity should be used as a soothing gargle in a day with beneficial
results. A hot Epsom -salt bath taken every day or every other day will also be beneficial.
After the acute
symptoms of tonsillities are over, the patient should adopt an all-fruit diet for
further three or four days. In this regimen, three meals of fresh, juicy fruits such as apples,
grapes, grapefruit, oranges, pears, pineapple, peaches and melon may be taken. The juice of
fresh pineapple is most valuable in all throat afflictions of this kind. After the all-fruit diet the
patient may gradually embark upon a well-balanced diet on the following lines :
Breakfast : Fresh fruits, or grated raw carrot or any other raw salad, and milk. Prunes or other
dried fruits may be added , if desired.
Lunch : Steamed vegetables, as obtainable, and whole wheat chappatis. Vegetables likes bitter
gourd and fenugreek are specially beneficial.
Dinner : A good-sized raw salad of vegetables as obtainable, sprouts seeds as mung beans and
alfalfa seeds, wholemeal bread and butter or cottage cheese.
Raw vegetable juices are also valuable in the treatment of
tonsillitis. Juice of carrot, beet and
cucumber taken individually or in combination are especially beneficial. Formula proportion
found to be helpful when used in combination are carrot 300 ml., beet 100ml., and cucumber
100 ml.
The daily dry friction and hip bath as well as breathing and other exercises should all form part of
the daily health regimen. A hot Epsom-salts bath once or twice a week can also be taken
regularly with beneficial results.
Tonsillits canbe successfully treated by the natural methods outlined above. Surgery for the
removal of the tonsils is necessary only in very rare cases, when tonsils are seriously diseased,
rugged and contain hopelessly incurable pus pockets.