SULFANILAMIDE SPRAY FOR PAIN IN TUBERCULOUS LARYNGITIS

Tuberculosis of the larynx is one of the more serious complications of pulmonary tuberculosis. This condition is frequently associated with ulceration and pain; these symptoms prevent the patients from swallowing, so that they lose ground not only because of the disease but also because they do not get sufficient food. It has always been thought that tuberculous ulceration in a larynx was the cause of pain. Recent observations on the effect of sulfanilamide powder sprayed on the ulcerated areas, however, have cast doubt on this assumption. It appears that it is not the tuberculous ulcer which causes the pain but secondary infection of the ulcer by pyogenic organisms, for when the involved area is sprayed with sulfanilamide powder the pain immediately disappears.

In addition to the relief of pain, one is impressed with the cleansing effect of the sulfanilamide powder spray. Ulcerations which were previously moist and covered with exudate