or throat
In many, the susceptibility to colds is due to abnormalities in the nose
or throat. Nasal obstruction is a very common condition. The nose, like
the eye, is usually an imperfect organ. These obstructions are often the
result of adenoids in childhood, which interfere with the proper
development of the internal nasal structures. Malformation of the teeth
and dental arches in childhood are frequent and often neglected causes
of nasal obstruction. Such malformations are caused by the arresting of
the growth of the upper jaw and nasal structures. Correction of the
deformity of the arches often renders nasal surgery unnecessary. Such
conditions not only predispose to colds, but increase their severity and
the danger of complicating infection of the bony cavities in the skull
that communicate with the nose. They also increase the liability to
involvement of the middle ear and of the mastoid cells which are located
in the skull just behind the ear. The importance, therefore, of having
the nose and throat carefully examined, and of having any diseased
condition of the mucous membrane or any obstruction corrected must be
apparent. All who suffer from recurrent colds should take this
precaution before winter sets in.
