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Ear, Nose and Throat Clinics
In his comprehensive report, Dr. F. P. M. Clarke, the visiting
consultant at the Hornsey clinic, remarks that, although there has
been a very good average attendance of patients, both at his weekly
E.N.T. sessions and the bi-weekly treatment clinics, yet there has
been a marked decline in the number of children found with discharging
ears. In the treatment of tonsils and adenoids, Dr. Clarke feels
that these glands should be conserved as far as possible since they
form an important protective ring of lymphatic tissue surrounding the
entrance to the chest and alimentary tract. He considers that, in
the majority of cases, enlarged and infected tonsils and adenoids are
the effect of a diseased condition elsewhere, such as sinusitis, and
that, therefore, the correct procedure is to seek and treat the cause
rather than to remove the effect.
Dr. Clarke found that the majority of children attending his
clinic suffered from nasal defects, particularly from nasal obstruction.
He stresses the need for adequate treatment of this condition if such
ills as mouth-breathing, hearing loss, enlarged tonsils and adenoids,
sinusitis and chest infections are to be avoided. He points out that
the majority of cases readily respond to such procedures as nasal
diastolisation and vibration or to colloidal silver packs, without recourse
to surgery.
Reviewing his fortnightly visits to the Park Lane Clinic,
Tottenham, Mr. William McKenzie, F.R.C.S., the Aural Surgeon,
comments on how little is necessary for him to do compared with
even five years ago, and he feels that the improvement in children's
health is more striking in his speciality than in any other. He
instances the fact that the chronic discharging ear has nearly completely
disappeared and that he seldom sees a child who needs urgent
tonsillectomy. That the general standard is so high, Mr. McKenzie
attributes to the better housing and the prosperity of the families in
the borough.
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