The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-23
THE CLEARING OF THE NASAL
 CHAMBERS

The common practice of blowing the nose in a double barreled fashion is harmful, for it tends to in1ate the Eustachian tubes which connect the rear of the nasal passage with the ear cavity just inside the ear drum pea famous hammer. anvil and stirrup are housed. Frequent blowing of both sides of the nose at once, with a handkerchief and perhaps pre- liminary pinch of the nostrils, not only blows air under pressure into the ear cavity into the Eustachian tube, but is likely to drive in- fective material from the nasal passages up nation there This is particularly liable to hap pen when there is acute coryza or rhinitis
 The right way to blow the nose is simpler and easier. Only trouble is the right way is less noisy, and some folks confuse sneezing and blowing the nose in respect to the reverbera- tions associated. It is not bad hygiene when you sneeze to sneeze heartily and with plenty of sound. It is bad hygiene to suppress a sneeze. When you sneeze make 1t good and hearty, but of course take pains not to include any innocent bystanders in the spray. When you blow your nose blow one side at time and that done well. That is, close one nostrti by pressure of the thumb while you are clear ing out the opposite nostril.
 In England some good physicians have found that snuffing 8 pinch of powdered soap, plain toilet soap. just as snun user would take snuff, is good practice to clear the nasal passages each morning. In some schools all children with adenoids or enlarged tonsils are regularly put through a morning nose clearing exercise, with the aid of a snuff of soap wod- Numerous readers of this column assure me that they have obtained great benefit from snufing once twice daily small pinch of boric acid powder, particularly in cases Of chronic rhintis and perhaps in some cases or chronic sinusitis, where mere IS eonstaniy boggy swelling and thick secretions. do not believe this snufing of boric acid IS harmful. Some people snuff salt water into the nose. This is objectionable. In some cases it may be helpful to irrigate the nasal passages with luke warm weak salt water Ground teaspoonful to the pnt) letting the solution run in one nostril
 
 hung not more than a foot above the head, and out through the opposite nostriD. which 1t tient learns to hold the throat in the position for pronouncing k. This irrigation Is often of great value in the treatment of serious nasal
 Many persons who use spray for the nose labor under the notion that the nasal passages run upwards. When the head Is held erect the nasal passages run straight backwards The nozzle or tip of the atomizer should therefore be directed straight backwards or Horizontally as you sit or stand erect If directed upwards too much. Except for special medication under medical direction. nasal sprays are Of little value. believe the soap method is preferable A Silver Star Letter
 Our Michigan readers send this Silver Star letter:
 Dear Dr Brady: About seven years ago used your remedy for 2 running ear-boric acid and grain alcohol. Since then have not Sssr S a. S osr nss %h was 2f years old at the time and had been troubled since infancy. Doctors -four Of fheml said the only cure for 1t was operation, which would leave deaf in that ear. sincerely thank you. (NIr T. B.)
 Answer-The remedy mentioned consists of a solution of 10 grains of boric acid in the ounce of pure grain alcohol Drop q drop on two of this in the ear each night and morning for perhaps two months It has seemed to give much relief in many cases of chronic running ear.
 Diathermy for Contraltos
 While taking the diatherlny treatment for extirpation of my tonsils | was engaged as cOntralto soloist in one of the large churches did not miss one service. want to thank you for having referred me to Dr - for this treatment. He has made . perfect job of my throat. He is very careful and patient. (Nirs K. ID. J.)
 Answer-Your experience reminds me that singers and speakers should submit to none other than diathermy extirpation. Why take a chance of injuring the voice under the old
 Pipes, Cigars and Cigarets
 In conversation with nerve specialist at one of DetrOits large hospitals learned that smoking . pipe is most harmful, cienrs next and cigarets least harmful. Am right in ass suniing that the harm 10 dependent on the dIs- tIlling of nicotine and on the amount of smoke inhaled? 70. Q. G.)
 Answer-Nicotine is only one of the hnzm. substances the tobacco user nbsorbs Some ex- periments seem to show that cGaret smoking to less harmful than cigar or pipe smoking. Practically think 1t is chiefly q question Of tho amount of tobacco used. Inhalation of tho sneks of course szses srsatsr abserptioa-