Health Notes

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23009, 9 April 1938, Page 7 (Supplement)

Health Notes

Lymphatic Glands

I N this article I refer to the lymphatic glands which are present in various parts of ;(iho . body and which swell as the result of infection and somo other causes, states a medical writer. These glands represent the jsecond line of defence against infection, the first being the tissues at the point of injury. The germs that are not killed by the protective mechanism of the blood at the wound itself pass along the lympathic' vessels and are trapped in the lympathic glands.' Here they cause swelling and inflammation, but hold up the passage of germs into the blood itself. These glands occur in

definite strategic points, where they can best perform their function, and there arc usually several banks of glands. When a wound of the hand or forearm becomes infected there is, in the first place, a swelling of the gland on the inner front, aspect of the elbow, and also the glands in the arinpit. These glands become swollen, painful, tender, and sometimes reddened. When this occurs it is an indication that treatment of the wound should be immediately undertaken. There is often some degree of fever and the patient feels ill. Fomenting The Wound, The wound should be fomented with one of the mild antiseptics, such as boracic acid, or treated with a paste made from equal parts of Epsom salts and glycerine. To make the foment, make a solution of a level teaspoon of boracic acid in a cup of hot water, soak a pad of cotton-wool in the solution, apply to the wound, and cover the entire finger or other jregion with oiled silk. The paste of salts and glycerine should bo applied directly to the wound and covered with the' oiled silk. If there is a local abscess it should be surgically opened; In most cases the pain and tenderness will soon _ disappear but tho swelling will remain in the glands for a week or more. In the case of the lower limbs the lympathic glands are situated behind the knee and in the groin. These become swollen and sore in the case of infected wounds of the foot or leg, and ;the treatment is exactly similar

Second Lint, of Defence

to that of similar conditions in the arm. When the tonsils are inflamed, large glandu become swollen in the side of the neck over the region of the tonsils. Scalp Infections Infections of the scalp cause swellings of the glands at the back of the neck, and infections of the face affect the glaudsi of the front of the neck and those situated under the chin. There are many other groups of glands, but most of these are inside the body, and not readily apparent. When enlarged lympathic glands appear, it is important to realise that the cause of the trouble is at some distance, and situated in the parts drained by the particular glands, as described above. In addition to these acute swellings, there are chronic swellings of various lympathic glands. In these chronic cases the glands are not usually tender, but can be seen and felt as hard or elastic swellings. If the glands over the tonsils: arfc swollen, it is an indication that there is chronic absorption from the tonsils, and that the tonsils should bo removed. Swollen glands in the front and side of the neck are often duo to tuberculosis, and require urgent treatment.