CARE OF NOSE 191 



we have to bestow upon them a certain amount of care 

 and attention that they may do their work properly. The 

 nose is exposed to all the microbes and dust contained 

 in the air breathed. These are caught upon its moist 

 surface and removed by the cilia. If the mucous mem- 

 brane is not sufficiently moist and the cilia active, or if 

 the dust is excessive or especially irritating, the mucous 

 membrane becomes swollen from the irritation, and 

 secretes large amounts of mucus in its effort to wash 

 the irritating dust away. This constitutes what is popu- 

 larly called a head cold. It is important, therefore, 

 that those who are subject to head colds should remove 

 the dust by spraying the nose with a mild antiseptic 

 solution 1 after such exposure. 



Catarrh. Persons with sensitive membranes, who 

 have frequent head colds, are liable to get a chronically 

 thickened membrane, which secretes mucus in copious 

 amounts, that is, they have catarrh. Catarrh is not only 

 a very disagreeable ailment in itself but it indicates con- 

 ditions in the nose which may extend to the tube con- 

 necting the throat with the middle ear and produce 

 partial or complete deafness. Head colds, therefore, 

 should be prevented whenever possible, and should re- 

 ceive careful medical attention. 



Adenoids. In the nasal cavity, the mucous membrane 

 is so delicate that constant irritation, especially by dust, 

 often causes it to become so swollen that it blocks the 

 passage of air through the nose. Repeated irritation 

 tends to produce soft masses of tissue, called adenoids, 

 which are especially frequent in children and make it 

 necessary for them to breathe through their mouths. 

 The closure of the nose and breathing through the mouth 



1 A proper atomizer and Dobell's solution can be bought at any 

 druggist's. 



