# Gargling or just gurgling?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gargling-or-just-gurgling/335503>\
**Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\
**Created:** [December 13, 2005, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gargling-or-just-gurgling/335503 "2005-12-13T22:59:41Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![pamkeane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b2d939/32.png) [@pamkeane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pamkeane)\
**Post date:** [December 13, 2005, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gargling-or-just-gurgling/335503/1 "2005-12-13T22:59:41Z")

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Dear Cecil,  
I have been using warm salted water to gargle with to help soothe my sore throat.  
I have been curious to know why the pitch changes when adding the salt (Kosher) to warm water from the tap. I did a search and found your response to the coffee situation interesting. Although, as the sound of the spoon on the glass did change pitch, after I added the salt to the water the pitch went from high to low. I tried the same with cold water and even though it took longer for the salt to dissolve, the pitch went from high to low - only slower.  
What’s the deal?  
And does gargling with salt water really do anything or is it just an old wives’ sugar pill?

Pam K, Brooklyn, NY

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**Author:** ![pamkeane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b2d939/32.png) [@pamkeane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pamkeane)\
**Post date:** [December 13, 2005, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gargling-or-just-gurgling/335503/2 "2005-12-13T23:01:45Z")

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:smack: Here is the link to the article mentioned.  
[http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_101b.html](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_101b.html)