This inflammation of the tonsils is, as we have seen, occasionally a part of a general phlegmonous inflammation of the fauces. Occurring more independently it is accompanied by considerable swelling, consisting of an inflammatory infiltration of the lymphatic follicles of the tonsils. Sometimes it goes on to suppuration, but rarely does so when the tonsils alone are affected. The swelling in many cases does not fully subside, and gives rise to a more or less permanent enlargement such as we have next to consider.