NOSE AND THROAT

Southland Times, Issue 21662, 26 March 1932, Page 15

NOSE AND THROAT

SOME COMMON DEFECTS IN

CHILDREN

All ordinary' breathing should take place through the nose, which is specially fitted to prepare the air for entrance to the lungs, the walls of the nasal cavity being damp and lined with hairs which collect dust and other impurities. The germs of disease are held back and destroyed in the secretion of the nose. Air, therefore, which is breathed in through the nose enters the lungs warm, moist, and free from dirt and germs.

On the other hand, air taken by the mouth enters the lungs dry, cold, and laden with dust and germs, so that it irritates the throat, bronchial tubes, and lungs, 'ine mouth breather, therefore, is liable to chronic sore throat, frequent colds and nasal catarrh, enlarged tonsils, bronchitis, poor chest expansion, and is more readily affected by such diseases as consumption, diphtheria, scarlet fever; mouth breathers tend to have highly arched narrow palates, causing interference with the growth and development of the jaws and resulting in irregularity and early' decay of the teeth. The nose also does not develop properly, the nostrils being pinched and the bridge defective.

Unhealthy conditions of the nose and throat are apt to result in deafness, which may be permanent, also in other ear troubles such as earache and discharging ears owing to spread of inflammation to the middle ear.

Every effort should be made to overcome the habit of mouth breathing in children by instruction in the proper use of the handkerchief and by breathing exercises. If, is actual obstruction in the nose and throat an operation may be necessary to remove this prior to the use of these remedial measures.

Many' children suffer from obstructed breathing due to abnormal conditions of the nose and throat. The commonest of these conditions is adenoids with or without enlarged tonsils. Adenoids are due to overgrowth of the tissues situated at the back of the naso-pharynx (that space at the back of the throat which is the beginning of the respiratory passage and into which the cavities of the mouth and nose open). The tonsils are situated on either side of the throat where they may be seen as fishy protuberances, not large enough under healthy conditions to obstruct free air entry into the respiratory passage.

If overgrowth of adenoid tissue or of tonsils occurs, air entry from the nose is largely closed and mouth breathing follows with the evil results above. Children who suffer from adenoids and enlarged tonsils are as a rule of poor nutrition and general health. They often appear to be mentally dull, partly because their hearing may be defective. Children with enlarged unhealthy tonsils are more liable to develop rheumatism and heart trouble as the germs which cause these as well as other diseases often enter the system through diseased tonsils. Thus it is evident that medical advise should be sought early when obstructed breathing is suspected in children. To promote healthy conditions of the nose and throat and to prevent the development of enlarged tonsils and adenoids remember that sunlight and fresh air are your child’s best friends. Keep the bedroom windows wide open day and night. Stuffy overcrowded rooms foster the growth of adenoids. Avoid the use of “dummies” in infancy. Keep the teeth clean and sound. Give children hard food such as crusts, oven-toasted bread, and apples. Chewing hard food develops strong, widelyarched jaws, and so lessens the tendency to adenoids. Teach children to use handkerchiefs thoroughly. This prevents blockage of the nose and consequent mouthbreathing. In mild cases of unhealthy tonsils a gargle (one level teaspoonful of salt to a tumbler of cold water) used regularly night and morning may bring about considerable improvement. If this treatment is not successful obtain further medical advice. Remember: That adenoids and enlarged tonsils arc open doors for disease germs. Neglect of these conditions may mean permanent delicacy of body and dullness of mind. —Department of Health.