In recent years I have asserted to my patients that the spray, in my opinion, is as essential on the toilet table as the toothbrush. As to the nature of the spray to be used, I think one must be guided by conditions. If there has already been a catarrhal condition established, then some remedial agent had better be employed; but if used simply as a prophylactic, then a neutral cleansing solution would be preferable.
I think this subject is deserving of profound consideration, when we know that there are establishments in most of our leading cities that advertise the cure of catarrh for so much a month. Their methods are simply to insist on the patient coming to their offices daily, and having their noses thoroughly cleansed. And they are curing many cases. Would it not be wise to educate our patients, not only to keep their own noses clean, and thus cure themselves, but, by attending to themselves early enough, avoid the development of that, perhaps, most prevalent of all diseases, catarrh?
GALVANISM IN NASAL HYPERTROPHY.[[2]]
BY JOHN B. GARRISON, M. D., NEW YORK.
Hypertrophic rhinitis is one of the most frequent of the diseased conditions pertaining to the nasal cavities that we are called upon to treat, and the question of the most suitable method of treatment is to be decided with care.
We have all used, for the removal of the excess of tissue, perhaps, with more or less success, the acids, the actual cautery, or some form of cutting instrument, but the patient, at least, will welcome a method that promises a good result with the least amount of pain at the time of treatment, and the least soreness afterward.
I have found that the application of the galvanic current does, in many cases, furnish just the method desired, and I shall beg your attention for a few minutes while I speak of the method as I practice it.
I shall not burden you with my ideas of what cause most enters into the production of these nasal hypertrophies, leaving to you the perusal of the text-books that will give all the knowledge extant upon the subject. We do find an increase of the nutritive forces, and our treatment must be directed to a lessening of the blood supply in some way. Of course where there is a local source of irritation, that must be removed at once. If it is a deflected septum that is causing an irritation by contact with the opposite side, suitable means must be adopted for its repair before attempting to treat the hypertrophies opposing the irregularities of the septum.
The hypertrophies that I shall speak of as being most amenable to treatment by means of the aid suggested in my title are mainly those of the turbinated bodies: and, of these, the inferior is the one most often enlarged. It may be confined to either extremity, or the whole body may be the subject of hypertrophy. When, as is sometimes the case, the bony portion of the turbinate has become enlarged, the saw, and not electricity, will be the best means of cure.
But when the occlusion of the nares is caused by true increase of tissue we have, in galvanic electricity, a potent agent to safely and rapidly remove the obstruction.