This frequently results in the formation of Abscesses. It is a condition of somewhat common occurrence. There is not merely a surface catarrh, but the mucous membrane and submucous tissue are involved in an acute in flammation of a very intense kind which usually goes on to suppuration. The disease very commonly begins on one side and frequently involves the tonsil, sometimes extending thence to the posterior wall of the pharynx. The swelling and redness are very great from hyperemia and oedema of the whole structures, and the patient may have difficulty in opening the mouth. If it goes on to suppuration the pus often collects and forms an abscess which bursts into the throat. In some cases the acute inflammation extends downwards to the base of the epiglottis and the case becomes dangerous because of the possible supervention of oedema glottidis. It should be added that the name Quinsy is applied to this disease as well as to a more local inflammation of the tonsils alone.

We may infer that in this disease one of the pyogenic microbes finds access to the mucous membrane. It sometimes happens that the inflammation, after attacking one side, passes round and involves the other, and this looks like an irritant which propagates itself.