Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1881-10-06

fcontraction from scalds or burns. For.
( eign bodies, too. such as buttons. seeds
or stones, may lodge in the inferior
! mcatus, which is the passage chiefly
concerned in breathing, and thus pro-
duce complete or partial closure. A
general thickening or hypertrophy OF
the mucous membrane, covering the
/ turbinated bones, such as is found in
chronic nasal catarrh. would. in some
/ cases, completely shut up one or both
passages. Indeed, a slight congestion
from an ordinary cold may so nearly
close the air channels that breathing
| through the nose becomes for the time
! very difficult. The mouth is therefore
resorted TO. and thus the pernicious habit
NAV be unconsciously acquired. Among
the mouth causes which interfere with
proper nasal respiration the most COM
mon are enlarged tonsils. The glands
press the velum upward and backward
against the posterior wall of the
pharynx. and prevent the passing of all
from the nose to the larynx. Irregular,
uneven or protruding teeth, by OBJ
structing perfect closure of the mouth,
may also give rise to the practice OF
mouth breathing.
DIR. Wagner tells us that habitual
mouth breathers can be at once recog-
nized. as the practice stamps itself in
delibly on the physiognomy. The re-
tracted lips. open mouth, receding
gums. protruding teeth, diminished
size Of the orifices of the nostrils, the
wrinkles of the outer angles of the eyes,
and the lines extending from the wings
Of the nose to the angles of the mouth,
gives the persons addicted to this habit
a silly, and. sometimes, idiotic express
sion. The nasal ducts, being vacated,
like disused roads that grow up TO
grass and weeds, become the seat of
polypus and other diseases; the sense
of smell is greatly weakened or alto
gether lost: the contour of the nose is
changed. and it acquires an unde-
veloped or atrophic appearance. The
sense of hearing mag be affected. the
injury ranging from slight impairment
to total deafness through habitual
mouth breathing. According 10 Cas-
sells the air must pass through the
nose. otherwise it can not reach the
tympanic cavity. Dry sore throat is
one of the most distressing dorders re-
sulting from the habit under discussion.
The practice known rs hawking" is a
familiar symptom of this trouble. The
hawkcr is ALWAYS mouth breather,
and the unpleasant sound is made in
the effort to dislodge the hard, dry and
tenacious mncus from the pharynx and
posterior wall of the mouth. In all
cases where the habit is caused by nasal
obstruction, there is n voice disturb
ance, an imperfect resonance from the
air or tone which passes upward into
the nasal cavity. but finding no outlet |
there. returns and escapes through the
mouth, the individual then being said
TO speak through his nose. The dis
agreeable habit OF snoring is caused by
sleeping with the mouth omen. The
nose breather never shores.
In children. as might be expected. the
effects OF mouth breathing on the gen.
eral constitution are strongly marked.
DIR. Wagner has no doubt that in in
fancy and early youth, when the bones |
OF the thoraN are soft and flexible, the |
deformity known as pigeon breast is |
brought about by this habit Children |
should be sedulousiy taught TO use the
mouth for eating and speaking only,
and the author recommends that, dur !
ing sleep. those in charge of them
should adopt the practice followed by |
Indian squaws of closing an infants
mouth by gently pressing the lips to-
gether People of mature age also need 1
to be impressed with the necessity OF 1
persistence III the practice of nose |
breathing. For those who are addicted
10 keeping the mouth open for breath
ing during sleep only. il is suggested
that compulsory closure may be sue
cessfully carried ont BY means of
linen or leather support for the lower
Jaw, adjusted to the top of the head
4. \. Ss1l.