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tion in the incidence of acute infectious disease and the associated
complications; one is the question of dietary in infancy
and childhood, and the other is the condition of the nose and
throat in early life.
Undoubtedly the vitamin content of the diet plays an important
role in determining- susceptibility to infection, and where,
unfortunately breast feeding is found to be impossible there is
no doubt, according to the majority of authorities on the subject,
that cow's milk is the most satisfactory substitute for ensuring
normal metabolism and some degree of resistance to infection.
A very active predisposing cause to the occurrence of infection
and of severe types of acute infectious disease, and one which
plays the most active part in the supervention of serious complications
and sequelæ, is the presence of adenoids and of
enlarged and unhealthy tonsils. Chronic infection of the throat
and nasal passages with septic organisms leads to a definite undermining
of the general health, a lowered resisting- power, and opens
up a ready path for infection with the more malignant germs of
the acute infectious diseases. When such conditions have been
present over long periods palliative and operative treatment will
not bring about an immediate return to health, and the longer the
defect exists the greater will be the period of recuperation. Here
again treatment of children in the early years of life is the only
means of preventing the devastating results of chronic nasopharyngeal
infection.
Statistics show that 947 children of school age have been
treated for unhealthy conditions of the nose and throat (356 having
been operated upon for the removal of tonsils and adenoids) during
the year 1927. The question is one which is receiving the serious
consideration of the Maternity and Child Welfare Department,
which reports 104 operations for the removal of tonsils and
adenoids during the year.
In conclusion reference is desirable as to the most useful
manner in which the Hospital may perform its function. Facilities