The Wilmington morning star., 1941-02-02
MEDICAL CARE
BY LOGAN CLENDENING, M. D.

The sinuses of the nose are very
subject to the implantation of a
chronic infection. They consist OF
a number of ramifications and
pockets covered with mucous
membrane, and since they are
constantly exposed to the germs
of the air which may get pocket
ed, it is not surprising that sinus
disease is common. In fact, the
real wonder is that everybody does
not have it.
While the manifestation of ST.
nus disease, which are a discharge
from the nose, headache, and a
feeling of stiffness, are likely to
present themselves in adults, the
condition often starts in children.
l have in mind a case l recently
saw of a ~12-year-old child whose
principal symptom was asthma.
This was complicated with a good
deal of discharge from the nose.
Examination with reflected light
showed extensive sinus disease
and this was confirmed by e
X-ray. The child was quite anemic
and evidently the infection had af-
fected his health considerably.
Clean Out Infection
The case, as l have outlined it,
indicates proper method of examl-
nation to determine sinus disease
and also how broad the problem
is. In treating this child you could
hardly expect success if you paid
attention to the nose alone, but
should treat the entire condition,
including the asthma, anemia and
general state of health.
Of course, the first considera-
ton is treatment is to attempt to
clean out the infection in the nose,
This was done win reasonable
success in this patient with a re-
lief of the asthmatic symptoms.
l do not know whether the op-
erative treatment of sinus disease
in children is more successful than
in adults. l think it is fair to
state that we can never expect
100 per cent good results from the
operative treatment of sinus dis
ease.
Lung Complications
I have long been impressed with
the fact that the most serious COM
plication of sinus disease is
asthma or chronic bronchitis. This
may be due to sen~sitization of the
patient with his own nasal bac-
terra but, in my opinion, more Of
ten results from the continuous
dropping of infectious material
from the nose, past the CLOTHS, into
the bronchial tubes. In my expert
ence, this is a long draWn-out
process and may well begin in
childhood with sinus infection at
that period of life. All the more
reason, therefore, for early dag
nosis and treatment at the stage
where it can be successful.
I say this with emphasis because
the lung complications of chronic
sinus trouble once established are
very resistent to treatment. The
asthma which results from this is
the worst form of asthma. MANY
people later in life are invalids on
account of chronic infection of the
bronchial tubes with ABSORPTION of
toxic material constantly going on.
coughing and expectoration. They
are always thin, have no appetite.
are subject to drafts, and cold
weather makes them very uncom.
Portable and they, as the saving
is, "catch cold" repeatedly and
very easily.
Treatment of these cases is hest
accomplished by removing them IN
! mild climate and by post11ra1
drainage, which is lying with the
head down SO that the infectious
material will drain out. This
should be done two or three times
a day. '"'N
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