The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-09-18

DR.. Clendening will answer
questions of general interest
only, and then only through
his column.
ing to arrive at a conclusion there
is a great deal Of irresponsible
gossip spilled and a great deal Of
mental confusion results.
/ certainly sympathize with
parents who are in this dilemma
and am not sure that / know
what would do myself.
There is not really very much
help from the doctors because they
are likely to give quite as contra
dictory opinions as lay friends. In
coming TO a judgment about this,
we lack a specific information
concerning the results and bene-
fits of tonsil removal. We have,
however, a few facts which / will
recite and upon that basis the par
ents must make their decision.
Function of Tonsils
In the first place, l think we
should understand what the tom
sils are and what is their func-
ton. The tonsils and adenoids are
part Of the Emphatic system of
the body. The Emphatic system is
universally distributed. Part Of it
can be felt as the lymph nodes in
the neck, or under the armpit
when there is an infection in that
drainage area; an Assessed tooth
affects the neck lymph nodes; a
felon on the finger, the armpit
lymph nodes.
The lymphatics are natural
points for fighting infection.
Germs tend to land in the lynn
phatics, and in killing the germs
the lymphatics swell up. Hence
an infection in the mouth and
throat cavity tends to lie on the
tonsils, which may be the only
point in these cavities that show
active Inflammation when an in
lection occurs.
Adenoids and tonsils are large
at birth and tend to atrophy after
puberty; hence the fact that the
tonsils are large in early life is not
necessarily an indication for their
removal. In infants they practi-
cally fill the entire back of the
throat,
Aside from their activity In To-
Calling and combating infection,
the tonsils and adenoids have no
known function. Because of the
very pronounced tendency Of the
tonsils and adenoids to become in
fected, il was once thought that
they had protective function;
This is outweighed, in fact, impos-
sible, by their express tendency to
harbor infection to the detriment
If the rest Of the body.
Chronic Infection
A standard text book on dis
Eases Of the nose and throat states
hat if the tonsils and adenoids
become repeatedly infected, they
stay enlarged, and under these cir
.umstances should be removed. In
other words, the Indication for the
removal Of these organs is the
fact that they are chemically in
fected, and harbor germs which
may produce infection Of the mid
die ear, rheumatism, muscular
pains, etc.
In a careful follow-up study Of
children who have had tonsils and
adenoids removed, DR.. Albert D.
Kiser Of Rochester, New York,
concluded: at was shown that
markedly enlarged tonsils and
adenoids that are repeatedly in
famed impair normal physical de-
velopment. When such a condi-
ton exists after the age Of four
years, it is advisable to have the
.onsils removed, with the appre-
citation that at least so per cent of
the children so treated will be ma
terially improved"
DR.. Kiser also showed that
bronchitis, pneumonia and tuber-
culosis are reduced in children
who have had their tonsils re-
moved. 1t can be demonstrated
that the removal Of the tonsils les
sens the incidents to rheumatic fe-
yer. The incidence of infection in
the middle ear and mastoid is
somewhat reduced by removal of
tonsils and adenoids.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
FER: az have heard that tea
from juniper berry seed is very
good for diabetes. Is this true? ?"
Answer: 1t certainly is not true.
Why in the world would anybody
fool around with such a crazy
method Of treatment for diabetes
when the medical profession, after
long labor and expense, have dis
covered form Of treatment which
is thoroughly scientific and effec-
tual, which has nothing to do with
juniper berries.
z. F. O.:-"At an early date
will you please state where blood
.ess extraction Of teeth can be
procured?"
Answer-In Heaven.