This section is from "The Domestic Encyclopaedia Vol4", by A. F. M. Willich. Amazon: The Domestic Encyclopaedia.
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.
 
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