Mouth Breathing by W. B. Holden, M. D.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 19, 1911

Mouth Breathing

By W. B. Holden, M. D.

W. B. HOLDEN, M. D.

MOUTH-BREATHING is caused by some obstruction in the air-passages of the nose. The most frequent of such obstructions is the growth of a tonsil-like substance in the upper part of the throat above and behind the palate. This tonsil-like substance is variously named, adenoids, pharyngeal tonsil, third tonsil, and Luschka’s tonsil. This growth closes the passage leading from the nostrils to the throat. It is a very common condition in children from five to fifteen years of age.

The symptoms arising from this interference with the air-passages in the nose are the following: 1. Mouth-breathing more or less constant. Children will breathe through the nose if they can. 2. Nasal voice: they speak as if they had a cold in the head. 3. Persistent snoring in sleep. 4. More or less deafness because the Eustachian tube leading from the middle ear to the throat is closed. Children are often accused of stubbornness and disobedience because they do not hear commands and orders. 5. Catarrh of the head. 6. Small nose, due to undergrowth from lack of use. 7. Small receding chin and short upper lip with projecting teeth, all due to the position of the jaw in mouth-breathing. 8. Stupid in appearance and in fact, due to the deficient amount of air they can inspire. They are very prone to be poorly developed mentally and physically because of air starvation. Such children are not only of low vitality and more susceptible to all diseases, but especially to tonsillitis, diphtheria, and earache; the latter malady may develop into serious if not fatal complications.

This tonsil generally disappears in early adult life, but the damage is then done. The body and mind are perhaps dwarfed. The facial appearance is much changed, the nasal voice persists, and the individual is physically and mentally crippled for life. His chances for success are greatly lessened.

There is only one thing to do, and that is to have this overgrowth of tissue removed by a surgeon. It is a simple procedure, and unattended by danger. Occasionally after removal it will grow again; if so, the operation should be repeated. Parents can readily detect the growth of this tonsil, though it can not be seen, by the above distinctive symptoms; and they should consult a surgeon early, as a delay of a year or two may do the child much damage.

Although this trouble is and has been very common, it is only recently that attention has been called to its mischievous results. No greater benefit can be given a child than timely attention to this mass of abnormal tonsillar tissue. The proper removal of this tonsil increases the prospects of the sufferer manyfold.

Portland, Ore.