Transcriber’s Note:
The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.
I do not propose to treat this subject technically ortheoretically, further than to simply say, I consider thefirst a mild form of the second, and both a reflex neurosis.I shall relate my experience and treatment of some halfdozen cases illustrating my subject.
Case I.—Mrs. H., a farmer’s wife, æt. thirty-five, had beentroubled for a number of years with hay fever from harvest timeuntil frost came in the fall. Inspection of the nose in June, 1899,showed the lower right and both middle turbinated bodies greatlyhypertrophied. Removal of the anterior and lower half of themiddle and cauterization of the lower, gave complete immunityfor the entire season. This patient could not, at any time, sweepthe floor or ride behind horses against the wind, without violentparoxysms of sneezing, but since the operation has had nofurther trouble on this score.
Case II.—Mr. D., æt. about thirty-five, a traveling man, thepatient of our secretary, consulted me on August 28 last, in themidst of his annual attack of hay fever. Examination showedthe entire nasal mucous membrane greatly engorged, as it alwaysis during an attack. On the right side of the septum, near thefloor, was a sharp septal spur, projecting at right angles aboutthree-eighths of an inch, prodding the tumefied lower turbinatedbody. The removal of this spur under cocaine anæsthesia188greatly modified the symptoms immediately, but a grateful frost,following in a few days, prevented an exact estimate of thebenefit to be ascribed to the removal of this offending appendage.
This year, however, will furnish opportunity to determine howpermanent the effect will be.
Case III.—Wm. S., æt. four years, a great sufferer fromasthma, at times when having a slight cold, to which he was veryprone, to such an extent that he could not lie down for severaldays and nights. Relief had been sought in the higher altitudesof the Rockies and a residence of one year at Denver, but nonecame. I was consulted on November 25, 1899. An examinationshowed the post-nasal space almost occluded with adenoidvegetations. Of course I advised their removal, which advicewas accepted, and their thorough removal, under the local applicationof cocaine, accomplished the purpose. This was thechild of a brother practitioner, and in April this year I had aletter from the doctor, in which was the very gratifying sentence,“William has not had the asthma since you removed hisadenoids, and is much better in every way.” This was especiallypleasing since his suffering had always been more severeand constant during his previous winters.
Case IV.—Male, æt. forty-five, Swede; occupation, bridge-builder.Had suffered annuall