Tonsils, or vulgarly called Almonds, are two round glands situated collaterally at the basis of the tongue; each of them being provided with a large oval passage opening towards the fauces, whence a mucus is secreted for lubricating the mouth and gullet; such discharge being farther promoted by the action of the muscles, compressing these glands.

The principal affection incident to the tonsils, consists in an enlargement, unattended with pain; but which sometimes increases to such an alarming degree, as to threaten suffocation : in this case, relief can be obtained only by an operation. When the complaint, however, is consequent on inflammations of the adjacent parts, for instance, in the Quinsy, SCARLET-FEVER, etc. the remedies directed under those articles, may then afford relief.