The Washington times., 1912-02-26

pressure against It's sides, pushing them
constantly outward and assisting in this
lateral growth, the Importance of which
constitutes the purpose OF this paper.
or almost equal Importance in this de-
velopment are the teeth. The stimua-
tion to growth caused by prolonged
mastication OF food is one of the greatest
factors In the development of the face.
1t has been found In the examination
OF large number of skulls in the
Army Medical Museum that irreRularity
of the teeth is Invariably accompanied
by faulty development of the nose.
Dental writers all tell us that loss of
the first teeth In the growing child or
any condition which interferes with
their normal growth, has a deleterious
effect on the internal structure of tho
face.
1t will be readily seen, then, from the
foregoing that proper nasal respiration
and proper growth and use of the teeth
as the child develops are essential to
the production of a normal individual.
Mouth breathing occurs when for any
reason breathing through the nose IL
obstructed. From the foregoing state
ments it can be seen that the factors
which aid development are lost.
The Hang-Dog Look
And What Causes 1t.
Besides, a force that directly opposes
development Is produced. When the
lower jaw hangs down; as It does in
the mouth breather, the facial struc-
lures, by being stretched downward,
press Inward upon the outer surface of
the upper jaw bones, thereby retarding
the outward growth OF the palate process.
Also, with loss of air through the nose,
the natural stimulus to growth of all
the nasal structures is interrupted.
with a consequent loss to development,
following the natural law of shrinkage
In any part OF the body from disuse.
To fully enumerate the effects of
mouth breathing would take all the
space permitted to this article. The
changes are always degenerative. The
final results are physical, mental, and
moral degeneration. In mouth breath
ing, the lung expansion is never so
great as when normal nasal respiration
Is present. This may affect bodily de-
velopment. The healthy BODY begets
the healthy mind. the healthy mind,
healthy morals. The way to degenera-
tion is easy and insidious. In the early
life of a child, in infancy and child
hood. in the time when the greatest
rapidity of development occurs. too
much attention cannot be given to the
Hasal structures that their proper
growth and development may preserve
the way for proper respiration.
Proper Breathing
Must Be Taught.
A child must be taught to breathe
| through its nose by keeping 1t clean
and learning to blow 1t when catarrh
is present. The mucus is easily blown
out II a child is made to play or run
| for O few minutes while the parent
watches to prevent opening of the
mouth until nasal respiration becomes
easy again.
| When the jaw falls during sleep II
should be gently closed and kept ur
! by a pad or a punched up corner OF
| the blanket for a few minutes. In old
| standing or obstinate cases, a band.
age may be needed.
In the proper care and development
of the teeth, we may safeguard the
digestion. To develop them, a child
must be given firm food to chew and
not allowed to confine himself to soft
= pappy substances. The country boy has
better teeth and stronger jaws because
he eats coarser food.
In watching both, we may do much
that has in the past been only toe
greatly neglected, toward making tht
| Individual that will be a benefit to his
fellow men rather than drag upor
the community.
! Contributed by the Medical Society OF tht
| District OF Columbia, and written by q
! specialist on diseases Of the nose and throat