This is a name given to an affection of the back of the nose and upper part of the throat, causing obstruction to breathing. It is most common in young children. It consists of hypertrophied glandular (“adenoid” means “glandular”) tissue, the elements of which are found normally in this situation and are identical in structure with that of the tonsils.
Is is the abnormal growth of the tissue which constitutes the disease.
Symptoms and Diagnosis.-One of the first symptoms calling attention to this disease is seen in the breathing. Children are noticed to keep their mouths open in an unnatural way. They cannot breathe through the nose except with difficulty, and keep their mouths open in sleep, and snore. On looking into the throat the tissues are found to be swollen, the tonsils are very likely enlarged, and on passing the finger up behind the palate the little swellings are found, giving a worm-like feeling to the finger. If this condition is allowed to go on other changes appear. Deafness is a common accompaniment, and contraction of the chest may result.
General Treatment.-The usual recommendation at the present day is to have the growths removed as soon as they are discovered. That is not my advice. In certain cases where the growths are very dense and the hearing is seriously threatened, operation may be imperative. But in cases which are less advanced constitutional treatment should first be tried. This will be described below under medicines. Of general measures, it is important that colds in children should never be neglected. For although the disease has a constitutional basis, constant colds are a fruitful means of lighting it up. A damp climate tends to foster them, so where it is possible to make the choice, a dry one should be selected. Good feeding and proper clothing and exercise are necessary adjuncts. But one of the most important measure is to teach the child nasal breathing. Dr. Robertson Day, Physician to the Children’s Department of the London Homoeopathic Hospital, has described in his little book, Adenoids Treated without Operation,” a chin-strap which he has devised for children to wear at night. It is made by Meyer and Meltzer, of Great Portland Street, W. Breathing exercises are very helpful.
Medicines.-(Three times a day unless otherwise specified.)
Calcarea c. 6.-
In fat, blue-eyed children who have night terrors. Cold feet, perspiring heads.
Calcarea phos. 12.-
In thin children.
Iodum 3x.-
In children with dark hair and eyes; emaciation.
Thuja 6.-
Where there is a vaccinal taint. Thuja 0 may be used in any case locally. A camel’s-hair brush moistened with the tincture can be passed along the floor of the nostril from front to back.
Bacillinum 30.-
A dose of this may be given once a week in addition to other remedies in cases where there is a tubercular history.
